An ancient Japanese legend says a wish will be granted to anyone who folds 1000 paper cranes.In addition to adorning shrines, senbazuru are also given at weddings, births, or other celebrations.By folding 1000 cranes, stringing your paper cranes and hanging them up, you can make your own senbazuru.
Step 1: Determine the size and color of your cranes.
Think about how you want the finished senbazuru to look.Do you prefer large cranes or small cranes?Do you want the cranes to be the same color or do you prefer different shades?The cranes are usually made from a square sheet of paper that is 7.5 cm on each side.If the paper is square in shape, you can make the cranes large or small.You can use patterned paper or the cranes can be the same color.
Step 2: The colored side of the paper faces upwards.
The bottom left corner should be folded up to the upper right corner.The paper needs to form a triangle.Remove the paper and reopen it.The lower right corner should be folded up to the upper left corner.The paper should form a triangle again.Reopen the paper.
Step 3: Take the paper and fold it in half.
The left side should be brought over to the ride side.The paper should be rectangular.The paper should be folded down to the bottom edge.The paper should form a triangle.Take care and reopen.The shape of the paper should be formed by the folds in it.
Step 4: To make it look like a diamond, tilt the paper.
The colored side should be facing down.Four smaller diamonds should be created by the crease lines when you look at the paper.The left and right corners should be folded into the center.A small, flat, diamond shape will be created when all four corners of the paper are brought together.The end of the diamond closest to you should be open.There should be two flaps on the right side.There should be a crease in the middle of the diamond.
Step 5: Take the top two layers on the right.
The layers should be folded to the vertical crease.The top two layers should be repeated.The bottom layers should still be in a diamond shape, but the top two should form a kite shape.The top two layers of the paper should be folded towards the vertical crease.Continue with the left layers.The paper should be a kite shape.Take the top triangle and fold it down.Go back up and repeat on the reverse.The crease from folding the triangles will act as a guide for the next step when the paper is back to a kite shape.
Step 6: To return the paper to a flat diamond shape, unfold the kite.
Hold it so that the folds are facing you.Take the bottom flap and push it up, then crease the top of the diamond using the last completed fold as a guide.Use the existing creases as guides to fold the sides inwards.The top should be pushed down and creased.The top layers should now be in the shape of a diamond.If you want to repeat, flip the paper over.The paper should be long and narrow.Keep the lower half of the diamond facing you, because there should be a split in the middle.
Step 7: The bottom right triangle should be folded towards the center line.
Turn the paper over and repeat.Take the top two flaps and pinch them together so that they meet in the center.Repeatedly with the lower two flaps.If you want to repeat on the other side, turn the paper over.The paper should look like an ice cream cone with a split in the bottom section.
Step 8: The lower point should be folded over the top crease.
If you want to repeat, turn the paper over.They should point away from you if all four points are even.
Step 9: Pinch the sides towards the middle if you hold the top flap.
Then flip the paper over and repeat.The paper should be creased.You can fold the triangle down towards you by taking it on the top layer.The wings of the crane can be created by folding the paper over.
Step 10: Pull the left point to the right.
Pull the left point until it is lined up with the edge of the crane's body.To keep it lined up with the edge, pinch it and refold it.Pull the point towards the right.Take the edge of the left point.Remove it quickly.The head of the crane will be formed by this.
Step 11: You have to repeat the steps until you have 1000 cranes.
It may take several weeks or months to complete.
Step 12: How many strands do you want to make?
There are 25 strands with 40 paper cranes.Depending on how long you want each strand to be, you can divide the 1000 paper cranes.Use 1 metres of thread with 40 cranes on a strand.If you only put 20 cranes per strand, use about 1.5 metres of string.You will need about 2.5 metres of string or wire for 10 strands of 100 cranes.
Step 13: If you want your strand length to be shorter, cut a long length of thread.
Each strand is usually about 1 metres long.The length is dependent on how much space you want between the cranes.The longer the string, the more space you need to leave.You can hang the strand if you leave extra string.2 metres or more of the thread is enough for a strand that will hang almost to the floor.If you want to make each strand small, keep in mind that string less than 1.5 metres will not hold many cranes.Measure the thread or wire against the paper cranes and line them up.You should make sure that there is enough thread or wire for all the cranes.
Step 14: You need to thread your sewing needle.
At least 6 inches (15 cm) of string or wire should be put through the eye of the needle.You can hang the strand with this extra string.If you thread the end before the needle, it will be easier.
Step 15: There is a bead at the bottom of the thread.
To prevent the bead from falling off, tie a loose knot at the end of the string that is furthest away from the needle.Pull the needle and thread through the bead until you reach the end of the string.
Step 16: The needle should be pushed through the middle of the crane's body.
If you slide the crane down, it will be next to the bead.
Step 17: If you use spacers, add another bead to the string.
The thread and needle must be pulled through the hole in the bead.The bead should be next to the crane.Spacer beads are useful to prevent the cranes from bunching.
Step 18: The threading process is repeated for each paper crane.
You will repeat the steps 40 times until each crane is on the string.
Step 19: Excess string or wire can be cut off.
To hang the strand, leave a minimum of 6 inches of string.Use the scissors or shears to trim the excess at the top of your strand.You can leave more string at the top if you want it to hang longer.Depending on how long you want the finished product to be.
Step 20: Attach a bead or charm to each strand.
You will need to finish it when you have strung all the cranes.A bead or charm can be added to the top.Tie a knot above the bead by looping the thread through it.The bead and cranes will not be able to slide off the end of the strand.
Step 21: At the top of the strand, tie a loose knot.
To keep it neat, hang the strand from a hook, nail, chair, or doorknob.
Step 22: To display them, tie each strand to a craft ring, pole, or strong wire.
The senbazuru will be easier to display with all the strands together.Wherever you want to display the senbazuru, hang the craft ring, pole, or wire.You can either hang each strand individually on the wall or place them in a frame.If you want to use the senbazuru as a wedding decoration, you can tie each strand to a pole or strong wire and hang it at the wedding venue.Many people hang the strands from the gazebo or altar at weddings.