
Please welcome Design Team Expert Tamara Tripodi today as she shares a fun tutorial on how to pleat paper. This is a fun way to dress up any patterned paper or cardstock you have in your stash. It looks especially pretty with Echo Park Paper patterned papers.
Hello, hello! Tamara here today with a cute card featuring the new "Everyday Eclectic" collection This collection is just AMAZING. I created this card with a tutorial on a unique paper pleating style. If you are familiar with my work, you’ll know I add a paper pleated trim to almost everything. I love it! (I am also a rosette addict, but that’s a whole another story.)

You can make a simple card (this one took me maybe 10-15 minutes), and make it look totally awesome just but adding some dimension in different ways. That is where the pleated design comes in. Here’s how:
The card base is 5" X 5". The pleated part will be cut at 12” wide and 4” high. This is more than long enough, but I like to overestimate and then trim off extra pieces.
You will score in this pattern: ¼”, 1/5”, ¼” and ¾". Keep repeating that pattern through the entire strip.

Once you have the entire strip scored, you can now fold it. This is a little tricky until you really get it down. I can do it with my eyes closed now. The ¼” sections will be folded inward. The 1/5” sections are the "top" and the ¾” sections are the "base like so:

Clear as mud? I promise it’s not hard, and it’s such a cool look to add to a project!
Once you are done pleating the entire strip, stitch it (random stitching looks awesome) and adhere it to your card (or layout, box, etc.). I usually use some dabs of hot glue, or REALLY good adhesive because the trim is a little thick and wants to pop off. Or, you can just machine or hand stitch it right onto your project!

I hope you all love the card and enjoyed my tutorial! Happy crafting, EP friends!
-Tamara
Isn't that a lovely paper treatment? I can think of so many papers with which I'd like to try this technique. If you create something, we'd love to see it! Simply upload it to our Facebook page HERE to share it with us and our Facebook fans. We can't wait to see what you create!