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Flowers & nature · Step-by-step guide

Paper-Strip Clover

Turn tightly folded paper strips into rounded heart-shaped leaves, then join four leaves into a small clover.

What you’ll need

  • Green paper strips
  • A small green rectangle for the stem
  • Scissors
  • Craft glue
Start making ↓

Paper craft · Strip folding, shaping, trimming & gluing

Finished Paper-Strip Clover

Make it, step by step.

13 steps · Original diagrams with English instructions

Choose a strip

Paper-Strip Clover: Choose a stripOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Start with a long, narrow green paper strip. Use matching strips for equally sized leaves.

Make the first triangle

Paper-Strip Clover: Make the first triangleOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Fold one end diagonally to the right to form a triangle across the width of the strip.

Fold down

Paper-Strip Clover: Fold downOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Fold the triangle downward along its lower edge, wrapping the strip around it.

Fold to the left

Paper-Strip Clover: Fold to the leftOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Fold diagonally to the left to continue the triangular packet.

Wrap the triangle

Paper-Strip Clover: Wrap the triangleOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Fold down again and press the layers flat.

Build the leaf packet

Paper-Strip Clover: Build the leaf packetOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Repeat the alternating folds, wrapping the remaining strip around the triangle.

Tuck the end

Paper-Strip Clover: Tuck the endOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Trim excess paper, leaving a small triangular tab. Slide the tab into the pocket shown by the marks.

Check the closed triangle

Paper-Strip Clover: Check the closed triangleOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Flatten the tucked packet so its edges stay closed.

Orient the leaf

Paper-Strip Clover: Orient the leafOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Turn the triangle so its longest edge faces upward.

Puff the center

Paper-Strip Clover: Puff the centerOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Pinch the two ends of the long edge to puff up the packet, then press the center inward to make a heart-shaped notch.

Round the leaf

Paper-Strip Clover: Round the leafOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Trim the outer corners slightly to round the two lobes. Repeat for four matching leaves.

Roll the stem

Paper-Strip Clover: Roll the stemOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Roll the small green rectangle tightly into a narrow stem and curve it gently.

Assemble the clover

Paper-Strip Clover: Assemble the cloverOpen image at full size ↗
  1. Glue four heart-shaped leaves together with their points meeting at the center. Attach the rolled stem underneath.

Follow the diagrams alongside the step-by-step English instructions.

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