Iris folding is a technique that originated in Holland.  Color coordinated strips of folded paper are taped into place over a pattern, creating a spiralling design that resembles the iris of an eye or camera.   Originally, Dutch crafters would cut their strips from envelopes with patterned interiors, but now it is common to use lightweight papers including those used for origami to create iris folded designs.

The starting point for the IRIS folding is the pattern.

Print out the pattern. (see patterns at the bottom of this page)

Trace and cut out the pattern onto a piece of cardstock. This piece of card stock will be part of the main card. (You don't need the cutout.)

Tape the pattern with the numbers on it onto a cutting mat using a low tack tape.

Tape the cut out card stock on top of the template exactly over the pattern.

Choose 4 pieces of coordinating paper.

Cut the paper into strips about 1 inch by 6 inches.

Fold each strip in half lengthwise.

Make separate piles of color A, color B, color C and color D.

Take a folded strip of color A and place it with the folded edge of the strip towards the center of the design, along the number 1 line. Make sure you are extending the strips past the cutout area.

Tape the strip to the card with a small piece of tape.

Take a strip of color B and place it along number 2 line. Tape it.

Take a strip of color C and place it along number 3 line .Tape it.

Take a strip of color D and place it along number 4 line. Tape it.

You now have gone all the way around. Start again with color A on number 5.

Follow the color sequence you have established until you finish all but the “IRIS”

Using a piece of holographic paper for the “IRIS”, cover the final space.

The back of the card will look very messy and needs to be concealed.

Apply the “IRIS” folded design to another card.

I use a glue stick or Elmers gel glue (invisible) after it dries to apply the design to another card. I found I couldn't get the tape to be small enough to not show afterwards.

TIP: Besides origami paper feel free to use colored vellums, thin pieces of background paper, wrapping paper and etc.

Here are some great FREE Iris Folding patterns I found online, Hexagon Iris, Pentagon Iris, Triangle Iris, and Square Iris