Paper chains are a classic childhood craft used for party decorations or as visual countdowns to an important date. With a husband in the military, the kids and I make our fair share of these to help them know how much longer until Daddy returns home from work trips. The usual round strip version is easy enough, but sometimes a gal just needs something with more personality. Read on to learn how to make your own fancy paper chains!
Materials: free printable template, paper, printer, scissors, glue stick
Choosing scrapbook paper is the easiest way to find coordinating color schemes, but you can use just about anything—book pages, construction paper, etc. Cut all your decorative sheets of paper to letter size (8.5″ x 11″).
Use this free printable to print out the template on the back of each paper.
Fold each paper in half on the dotted line and cut out the links.
Don’t forget to cut the centers out, too!
Re-fold the links so that they are right side out.
Use a small dab of glue on the curve to close the first link.
Open the second link and hook it through the opening of the first. Glue closed.
For all the remaining links, open each one flat, then bend and slide it through the previous link’s hole. Glue shut each time.
Make the fancy paper chains as long as you wish, and then hang ’em up with some cute tape! I adore this sophisticated twist on a time-honored design, don’t you?
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