Make a Simple Card Lantern

by thecraftiestcat in Craft > Paper

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Make a Simple Card Lantern

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Make a Diwali Candle Holder and a Lantern

This lantern is very simple anyone can make it!

You can use different colours of tissue paper to make it more interesting or leave it all as one colour.

It's up to you!

If you want to follow the video above, skip to 4:05 to make the lantern.

Downloads

Simple Lantern template.pdf

Supplies

Materials you will need:

  • A4 coloured card x 1
  • Different colours of tissue paper x 3
  • Template (Download below if using one) you can print this directly onto the coloured card if you wish

Tools:

  • Scissors
  • Scalpel
  • Glue Stick
  • Pencil
  • Metal Ruler
  • Cutting mat

Cut the Strips

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Simple Lantern template.jpg
Lantern template2.jpg

Cut 2 long strips that are 2.5cm wide.

Cut 3 short strips that are 2.5cm wide.

You can cut more strips if you wish that are thinner.

This will mean that you will have more windows in your lantern.

The choice is up to you.

Glue the Strips

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Place the 2 long strips horizontally so that they are the same width apart as the short strips.

Draw a small square at the end of each one. This will be a tab to stick the lantern together.

Place the short strips on top of the long ones. Make sure they are equal width apart so that when you join the lantern together, your windows will be an equal size. Do not include the tabs as part of your measurement otherwise your last window will be smaller.

If you are making this with more than 3 windows, (e.g. if you want 8 windows), and cut 8 strips make sure they are still an equal width apart.

Glue the top and bottom of the short strips on top of the long ones once you have them where you want them.

This is now the frame for your lantern.

Cut the Tissue Paper

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Cut the tissue paper into rectangles that fit each window. Use different colours or the same colour, it is up to you.

If you are using just one colour for your windows, you can cut one big rectangle which covers all the windows.

Once your rectangles are cut, glue them onto the frame.

Glue the Lantern Together

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Place glue on both of the tabs.

Pull the ends of the lantern together and stick to form your lantern.

Make a Handle

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Cut a long 2cm wide strip from the remaining card to form a handle.

Place glue on both ends of the handle and stick it inside the top of the lantern.

It is now complete!

Optional: if you want to create a base for your lantern you can cut it out from the template.

Cut along all the solid lines and fold the dashed lines

You can watch a video here on how to create the base:

Skip to 4:00.

Enjoy!

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Place an LED light inside to light it up!

To see how I made the flower candle holders follow this link:

Make Card Candle Holders