Sliceform Christmas Tree from Paper Strips

How to make paper sliceforms

This is a sliceform Christmas tree pop up card design I've been muddling around with since last year, when I constructed a more elaborate version, shown below, which you can read about here. 

I think I like the smaller Christmas tree better!

While drafting this smaller sliceform I realized I needed to alternate some of the slots to make the tree strips stay in place securely.  I found that the large one, as made, tends to fall apart!  The last thing you want is to send a card that arrives semi-assembled.

How to make a paper strip sliceform Christmas tree card

Download cutting files: PDF (suitable for hand cutting), SVG (how to use my files in Cricut Design Space), DXF, Silhouette Studio.

Files download for free; pay what you wish for the tutorial and to support this site. Suggested contribution for this project is $1.00.

Cut the file.  Separate the strips into pairs by size. 

Slot together the longest pair at the top slot.
Crease the feet on the score lines at the bottom of the strips.

Add the next pair of strips, with 5 slots.  First slide together the end slot of the new strip to the second slot of the footed strip.  Then do the same for the matching strip on the other side.  Last,  cross them and slide their second slots together.  Lift one up, and one down, as you gently criss-cross them, to get those last slots to go together.

Continue adding pairs of strips, in decreasing length, until you have used all of them. Here the 4 slot strips have been added, first on each side, then working across to criss-cross what was already in place.



The 3 slot pieces have been added.



And the two slot pieces.

Make the 3D tree into a pop up card

Create a base card from two 8.5" x 3" rectangles, hinged together with a small strip of paper (my hinge is 1" wide by 2" tall). 

Here is just the front.



Flatten the tree and lay it on the right-hand side of the open card.  The feet are to the left, toward the hinge.  The exact placement is not critical as long as the top of the tree (at the far right) is not hanging outside the card. 

Mine is approximately where the horizontal centerline would be, but again, it does not have to be precise.

 Spread adhesive on the foot you can see.

Close the card, flip it over, and spread glue on the other foot. 

Close the card.  Weight the card or pinch it with your fingers (you can feel where the tree ends and the feet begin) until dry.

Fits in a #10 business size envelope!

Extreme Cards and Papercrafting: pop up cards, movable and mechanical cards, digital crafts and unusual papercrafts.