DIY Vintage Book Page Rosette Ornaments: Easy Accordion Fold Craft Tutorial

Welcome to a delightful crafting journey where we transform forgotten vintage book pages into beautiful, intricate rosette ornaments. This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through making an easy accordion-fold rosette, complete with optional glitter accents, perfect for adorning your home or gifting.

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There’s a special magic that comes with handmade holiday decorations, and for many years, my daughter and I have cherished the tradition of crafting a new ornament the weekend after Thanksgiving. These crafting sessions, sometimes joined by my son when he was younger, have led to a wonderful collection of memories and unique ornaments. We’ve explored various techniques, from filling clear balls with festive elements and cutting intricate paper designs to adding shimmering glitter to simple orbs, each project adding its own charm to our holiday celebrations.

A few seasons ago, our creative path led us to a captivating vintage book page and sheet music Christmas decor theme. This inspiration sparked after I crafted a stunning wreath from vintage sheet music. We soon found ourselves immersed in creating a variety of literary-themed decor: simple ring chain garlands from book pages, clear ornaments filled with delicate strips of sheet music and aged paper, sweet little glittered book page birds, and, of course, accordion-fold rosettes in a myriad of sizes. While I adore all our creations, this particular rosette book page ornament holds a special place as my favorite. Its timeless elegance allows it to look equally enchanting on a Christmas tree, hanging delicately from windows, reflecting light from mirrors, or simply leaning artfully against candles.

Crafting Christmas ornaments from vintage book pages truly offers incredible value. The primary material – old books – can often be acquired for free or at very low cost from thrift stores, estate sales, or even forgotten corners of your own home. With just a few basic supplies like a hot glue gun, some white glue, a touch of glitter, and a few paper scraps or buttons for the center, you can create a collection of sophisticated and personalized decorations. This project is not only budget-friendly but also offers a unique opportunity to upcycle materials into something beautiful and meaningful.

A Note on Using Old Books: I understand that the idea of cutting up a book can be met with mixed feelings. Some individuals feel a deep reverence for books and are saddened by the thought of altering them. I believe each crafter should follow what feels comfortable to them in this regard. From my perspective, not all books are created equal in terms of their continued relevance or literary value. There are countless outdated textbooks filled with obsolete information, old novels that have long passed their prime, or even mass-produced Reader’s Digest compilation books that contain only excerpts. These are the types of books I typically source for our Christmas book page ornaments, knowing that many would otherwise be discarded if they don’t sell at thrift stores. By giving these pages a new purpose, we transform forgotten items into cherished holiday keepsakes, embracing a sustainable and creative approach to decorating.

So, gather those old, perhaps less-than-worthy books, a trusty pair of scissors, and your favorite glues, and join me in making a beautiful rosette book page ornament. You don’t need to block out a whole afternoon; this delightful project can be completed in just 5 to 10 minutes, making it perfect for a quick crafting session or for making a whole batch with loved ones.

How to Make a Rosette Book Page Ornament

Supplies

• Old Books: The star of our project! Look for books with interesting fonts, aged paper, or even sheet music for unique patterns.
• Scissors: A sharp pair will ensure clean cuts, especially when trimming the rosette edges.
• White Thread: For securely tying your accordion folds and creating a subtle hanger.
• Hot Glue and Glue Gun: Essential for quickly assembling the rosette and securing embellishments.
• White Glue: (e.g., Elmer’s Glue) Used for applying glitter to the edges.
• Embellishments for Centers: Small paper circles, shell buttons, vintage buttons, beads, or other decorative elements to personalize your ornament.

Rosette Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these charming book page rosettes is simpler than you might think. Follow these steps for beautiful results.

1. Choose Your Book and Page Size: Begin by selecting a book with pages that are the ideal size for your desired finished rosette. For small ornaments perfect for a Christmas tree, a petite novel from the 1950s or an old paperback works wonderfully. If you envision larger rosettes for window hangings or a dramatic mantle display, opt for books with generously sized pages, such as those used for window hanging rosettes or medium-sized pages for the mantle. Consider the texture and color of the aged paper; creamier pages often lend a softer, more vintage aesthetic.
2. Prepare Your Pages: Carefully tear out one complete page from your chosen book. Once you have your page, cut it precisely in half down the middle. Accuracy here ensures that your rosette will be symmetrical and well-balanced.
3. Accordion-Fold Each Half: Take each half-page and begin to accordion-fold it. Aim for consistent, even folds, typically about ½ to ¾ inch wide, depending on the stiffness of the paper and your desired look. Neat, uniform folds contribute significantly to the beauty of the finished rosette. After folding both halves, gently fold each accordion-folded strip in half lengthwise to mark the exact center. This crease will be crucial for the next step.



4. Tie the Halves Together: Cut a long piece of white thread – approximately 12-18 inches – which will serve both to secure the rosette and potentially as its hanger. Use this thread to tie the two accordion-folded halves together exactly at the fold points you marked in the previous step. Cinch the thread tightly around the center and knot it securely to prevent unraveling. I prefer to leave the thread tails long at this stage, as they can later be used to form the ornament’s hanger. However, if you prefer a different hanger, a small hole can be punched later to thread a narrow ribbon or cording. The subtle nature of the white thread makes for a less noticeable hanger, allowing the rosette itself to be the focal point.
5. Begin Gluing the Fan Sides: With your two halves tied, you’ll now start forming the circular shape of the rosette. Apply a line of hot glue along one outer edge of one fan and carefully press it against the adjacent outer edge of the other fan. Repeat this process for two sides, gluing them together to start forming a semi-circle. However, it’s important to leave two sides unglued for now. This temporary opening allows for easier trimming of the edges in a later step. In the photo, I’m holding one of the glued sides together as the hot glue dries quickly; do this for the other side before proceeding to trim the edges.



6. Trim the Edges for a Polished Look (Optional but Recommended): This step offers a creative choice that significantly impacts the final aesthetic of your rosette. You can either leave the edges of the rosette straight, preserving the original book page lines as they naturally came (as pictured above). This offers a simple, minimalist appeal.



Alternatively, for a more refined and detailed finish, you can hold the accordion-folded fan firmly together and carefully round the tops with your scissors. For a different look, you could also try cutting v-shapes or scalloped edges. This small detail adds a wonderful softness and definition to the rosette, making it appear more intentionally crafted and elegant. I personally find that the edges look much nicer and more complete with this extra touch, giving the rosette an enhanced sense of detail and sophistication.



7. Complete the Rosette Shape: Once both open sides of your fan are trimmed to your liking, apply hot glue along the remaining two unglued edges. Carefully press them together to form a complete circular rosette. Hold firmly for a few seconds until the glue sets, ensuring the rosette maintains its beautiful, full shape.



8. Add Optional Glitter Edges for Sparkle: For an extra touch of festive shimmer, consider adding glitter to the edges of your rosette. Pour a small amount of white glue onto a disposable surface (an old lid from a recycling bin works perfectly). Gently roll the edges of the finished rosette in the glue, ensuring an even coating around the entire circumference.



Immediately after applying the glue, roll the glued edges in a small pile of your chosen glitter. White, silver, or gold glitter are classic choices that complement the vintage paper beautifully. You could also experiment with iridescent or colored glitter for a unique flair. If you’re making several rosettes, you can set them aside to dry at this point. They aren’t heavily saturated with glue, so the drying time is relatively quick. If you’re only crafting one or two, you can proceed directly to the next steps before allowing them to fully dry.



9. Embellish the Center: Now for the finishing touch! Apply a dab of hot glue to the very center of your rosette and attach your chosen decoration. This is where your creativity can truly shine. In the photo, a simple circle cut from glitter scrapbook paper, topped with a smaller glittered star, creates an elegant focal point. For rosettes intended as window ornaments, where both sides will be visible, remember to glue an identical decoration to the back as well for a consistent look.
   

   I’ve also found that natural shell buttons add a lovely organic touch, while plain black or other colored glittered scrapbook paper circles can provide a striking contrast against the aged pages. Feel free to layer different colors or textures of paper, or even incorporate small vintage buttons, beads, or charms. While I opted for a neutral palette to highlight the intrinsic beauty of the book pages, don’t hesitate to coordinate your center embellishment with a specific holiday theme or a colored-glittered edge.

   
10. Create the Hanger: Finally, to make your rosette a true ornament, form its hanger. Take the long thread tails you left from step 4 and glue one tail up along the back side of one of the rosette’s fans, securing it with a small amount of hot glue. Once this dries, tie the two ends of the thread together to form a loop. This creates a discreet and sturdy hanger. Alternatively, for a different look, you could punch a small hole at the top of one of the fans and thread through a piece of gold or silver cording, a colorful satin ribbon, or even a piece of rustic twine, depending on the aesthetic you are aiming for. The choice of hanger allows for another layer of personalization and can dramatically change the overall feel of your finished ornament.

Beyond the Basic Rosette: Tips and Creative Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic accordion-fold rosette, the possibilities for customization are endless. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next crafting session:

• Vary Your Paper Choices: Don’t limit yourself to just vintage book pages. Old sheet music creates a wonderfully musical theme, antique maps offer a sense of adventure, and even discarded newspapers or colored scrapbook papers can be transformed into unique rosettes.
• Play with Size: Make mini rosettes for gift tags or advent calendar fillers, medium ones for garlands, or large statement pieces for door wreaths or wall decor. A collection of varying sizes creates visual interest.
• Add Scent: For a truly sensory experience, try lightly dabbing a few drops of essential oil (like cinnamon, pine, or orange) onto the finished paper rosette. This will infuse your holiday decor with delightful aromas.
• Display Creatively: These rosettes aren’t just for trees! String them together to create a charming garland for your mantelpiece or staircase. Use them as unique embellishments on wrapped presents and gift bags, instantly elevating your gift-giving. Lean them against candles or within a festive centerpiece for an elegant touch.
• Experiment with Embellishments: Beyond buttons and glitter, consider small charms, antique keys, tiny pinecones, artificial berries, or even a personalized initial cut from cardstock for the center.

I sincerely hope you find a few peaceful minutes to create these beautiful book page rosette ornaments this season. Their versatility means they look just as stunning adorning your Christmas tree as they do gracing wrapped boxes or gift bags. I’d absolutely love to hear if you’ve made these and how you’ve incorporated them into your holiday decor! Share your unique ideas and creations.

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