Iris folding is a simple but compelling paper crafting technique used in creating hand made cards, decorating altered books, as decorative scrapbook elements, as a frame for a small picture, or in any other type of paper crafting.

When creating an iris folding element, the artist arranges strips of folded paper to form a pattern or shape. The middle of the design contain an iris, an unusual shape similar to an eye or the iris of a camera. The iris is usually filled with contrasting paper, ribbon or perhaps a small picture. Iris folding designs showcasing a picture are excellent additions to a scrapbook layout. The artist may use glitter, beads, jewels, fabric or any other element to further decorate the iris.

This paper craft technique oririnated in Holland, where artisans often used paper cut from the inside of envelopes. Today, iris folding is likey to consist of scrapbook papers, tissue, giftwrap, origami paper, magazine pages or paper cut from the "junk mail" that arrives almost daily. It is also possible to create an eye-catching design consisting soley of ribbon.

Iris folding is done with a pattern. You can purchase pattern books from Amazon and other booksellers. Many of these books also contain iris folding papers in coordinating colors.

Often, you can find iris patterns for sale or for free by Googline "iris patterns".

The slideshow to the right contains a number of cards made with the iris folding technique. To scroll through the slide show, simply click on the red arrows.

Iris folding is one of those techniques that is so simple to do but difficult to explain in words. Thank goodness for video. I don't have to confuse you dreadfully or painfully bore you trying to describe how to do this thing.

Please view the video below for a complete demonstration of how to do iris folding.