I was in New York last month and saw some really cute fabric lanterns but they were over $100. I started to think about if we could make one ourselves out of paper for party decor. After trying a few different prototypes we came up with this little version below. The best part? The materials to make it cost less than $5. You can download a free printable below for the patterns but I love that you can make them in any color depending on your party. Each lantern takes about 10 minutes to make, it’s the kind of project that is easy to finish while you are watching a movie. Click through for instructions below. (PS – Outdoor globe lights have me dreaming of last year’s Summer Garden Party…)

Materials: Patterned Printout, White Paper, Tacky Glue, X-Acto Knife, Ruler, Cutting Mat, Aluminum Craft Wire, Wire Cutter, Roll of Painters Tape (or something round of that size), One String of Globe Lights

Step 1: Print the patterned printout template and trim off any white border.
Step 2: Glue two pieces of the same print together.
Step 3: Cut two thin strips (about 1/3 inch width) of white paper, fold the strip in half and cut in the middle. (You will only use three strips.)
Step 4: Wrap your wire around the outside of a roll of tape, twist at the end and cut. Repeat this step.
Step 5: Cut two 5-inch pieces of wire and twist in place on the top of one of the round wires to make an “X.”
Step 6: Place glue on the short edges of the three thin strips of white paper and attach them around the wire circle so that they hang down.
Step 7: Glue the bottoms of these strips to the other circle wire.
Step 8: Trim your patterned printout so that it is 4 ½ inches wide.
Step 9: Add a strip of glue to the outside side of the first thin strip of white paper and attach it to the trimmed patterned printout.
Step 10: Loosely roll the wire frame on the patterned printout then glue it to second strip of white paper. Repeat with the third strip of white paper.
Step 11: Continue rolling the wire circles to determine the length of patterned paper needed to cover the outside of the lantern. Trim any excess.
Step 12: Glue the seam together.
Step 13: Attach the lantern to a bulb on a string of globe lights. Enjoy indoors or out!

Photography by  Heather Zweig for Oh Happy Day
Art Direction by Jordan Ferney
Produced by Stacy Wichelhaus
Crafting and styling by Caitlin Barker