Due to its understated and elegant simplicity, the Chinese hand fan has long been a household favorite as a decorative item as well as used for various traditional Chinese dances. It is also used as a cooling item asian fan. With a piece of paper, hand glue, two Popsicle sticks and a ribbon, here are five simple ways to show you how to make your own Chinese hand fan.
Firstly, get yourself a piece of paper, either plain or readily decorated. You can choose to use the standard A4 paper or a much larger paper. If you choose to use a plain piece of paper, it's best to use colored ones in prosperous Oriental colors such as in shades of red and gold. Rubber stamps can be used to make further decorations.
Secondly, you need to pleat the paper. This is a relatively simple task, but precision and detail is necessary if you want your hand fan to turn out looking good. The basic idea is to fold the paper into pleats that look like accordion fold. Start pleating the paper from the shorter horizontal side. Pleat the paper away from you, at about a half-inch distance. Once the first pleat is completed run your thumb along its length so that the pleat is crisp. Continue pleating, but remember to alternate the directions each time you fold the paper.
Thirdly, you need to glue the fan handle. If you do not have Popsicle sticks, you can use a tongue depressor. Whichever wooden stick you choose to use, make sure that its length is not shorter than ten inches because you need to have a few inches of it extending beyond the end of the paper hand fan. Glue the stick onto the outermost fold of the paper and remember to extend at least an inch or so beyond the paper's end. Repeat this to the other side.
Fourthly, close the fan. To do so, gather the pleats together and hold the ends of the paper at the bottom using your fingers so that it forms into a point. Using a tape or a ribbon, secure the pleats into the point.
Lastly, create the shape of the fan. Using a ribbon, tie the ends of the Popsicle sticks that have been met at the ends. Make sure the fan is wide open. To close the fan, bring the pleats together by gently moving the tops of the Popsicle sticks towards each other.
A Chinese hand fan is not only a great decorative piece; it is also a convenient and stylish cooling item. And now that you can make one by yourself, it is inexpensive too.
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