A paper heart garland is the sort of Valentine's craft you can finish over one cup of coffee. Each heart is a single strip of paper, folded and bent back on itself, and the strips staple together into a chain. No glue, no templates, no drawing. This version comes from the Needlepointers channel on YouTube, where an experienced crafter makes the whole chain on a kitchen table in under three minutes. The channel also keeps written instructions with photos on needlepointers.com.
Paper heart garland: what you are making
Every strip is folded in half. The fold becomes the point at the bottom of the heart, and the two cut ends curl down inside to make the rounded tops. The next strip's fold slides in between those ends, and one staple holds three layers at once. So each staple closes one heart and starts the next. Some people call it a heart chain garland, because it goes together like the paper chains you made in school.
Materials and swaps from around the house
She uses construction paper or cardstock. Cardstock (65 lb) keeps a rounder heart and lasts longer. Construction paper is cheaper and fine for a one-season decoration, though it fades in a sunny window. Gift wrap backed with printer paper, old greeting cards, or pages from a seed catalogue all work. A paper trimmer cuts the straightest strips, but a ruler, a pencil and good scissors do the job.
Strip size and how long it takes
The strips in the video are 1 inch wide. The video does not give a length, so treat this as a range: strips about 8 to 12 inches long make hearts roughly 3 to 5 inches tall. Cut one strip across the long side of a letter sheet (11 inches) for a good everyday size. Each heart adds about 3 inches of garland. A 6 foot swag needs around 24 strips and takes about 45 minutes, including the cutting.
Who it suits
It is an easy project to do with grandchildren. Children of five or six can fold and curl the strips while you handle the stapler. It also dresses a mantel, a doorway, a classroom party table, or a mirror where your spouse will see it on Valentine's morning.
Valentine's variations
- Two tones. Alternate red and pink strips, as in the finished garland in the video.
- Messages. Write a short note or a name on the inside of each strip before you fold it.
- Kid-friendly. Use a glue stick or double-sided tape in place of staples for small hands.
- Other seasons. Orange and gold strips make a fall chain. For more garlands, see how to make a Christmas garland.
Want single hearts too? Try an origami heart, or a crochet heart for a softer keepsake. A paper wreath pairs well on the door.
Troubleshooting
- Lopsided hearts. The cut ends were uneven. Line them up before you staple.
- Flat hearts. The paper is too thin. Move to cardstock.
- Staples pull out. Staple closer to the fold, through all three layers.
Storing it for next year
Fold the garland back and forth like an accordion and lay it flat in a shirt box with tissue on top. Do not wind it into a ball, or the hearts crush. Kept dry, it will come out ready next February.
