Show and Tell: Paper Swallows

Three dimensional paper projects are high on my list of fun things to make. Often I don’t even have an intended use for them, I just want to see how they go together.

Pinterest is on to me, and early last week a pin for these paper swallows landed in my feed. Originally, I ignored it because they looked a little scary. But I liked how quick they appeared to come together, and I figured if I cut them from colorful paper, they’d be much happier looking.

And I was right on all counts.

From the Krokotak website, I downloaded the free printable template and then redrew it in Adobe Illustrator so I could cut it on my Silhouette Cameo. To make a foldover project like this work, the two sides need to be identical, so I drew half based on the pattern, and then mirrored it and lined it up so it would be an exact match.

I exported that file as a DXF, since the basic version of Silhouette Studio doesn’t support EPS files, but it does allow the import of a DXF.

I test cut one bird on plain white paper to make sure my pattern was good. Turned out it needed a little tweaking on the tail, so I edited that to a better point and then re-exported it.

I cut several of these from 6 x 6 colored paper. Since the wings fold out from the back side, the paper needs to be colored on both sides. I set up four sheets on my Silhouette mat and positioned the artwork so it would fit within each square.

Once they were cut and weeded, I followed the Krokotak website’s video for assembly. That was easy and quick. Finding the center balance point for stapling on the hanging string was a little trickier, but eventually I found it was right behind the wings. I put them all on one long string, which I’m hanging from a ceiling hook in the corner of the kitchen.

I’m toying with the idea of seeing if I can cut them from very thin plastic to make an outdoor decoration. If it works, you can bet I’ll post a photo.