Today’s guest DIY comes from Christine, a stationery designer based in Suffolk, England. She lives with her fiancé and their little dog, Toby. Christine is the creator behind Paper and Cloth and shared this simple, charming project for making a bird mobile from paper scraps.
Materials
- Scrapbook paper or any decorative paper — recycled papers like old envelopes or used mail are perfect for an eco-friendly, budget-friendly version.
- Cardstock (for the template)
- Pencil
- Small scissors
- Double-sided tape
- Cotton thread
How to Make a DIY Bird Mobile
1. Pick a shape. Christine used a bird she had already drawn, but you can choose any silhouette — flowers, circles, hearts, or geometric shapes all work well.
2. Make a template. Trace your chosen shape onto a piece of sturdy card (a cereal box works great) and cut it out. This is your template for the paper shapes.
3. Cut your paper shapes. To save time, fold sheets of patterned paper — Christine folded hers into quarters — and trace the template onto the folded paper. Cut through the layers so you get multiple identical shapes. For the example mobile, she used seven birds, which required 14 cut shapes (two per bird).
4. Assemble on thread. Lay a length of cotton thread flat, leaving extra at the top to form a hanger. Place the first cut shape right side down under the thread. Add a small piece of double-sided tape over the thread, then align a matching shape right side up over the top. Press firmly so the two shapes stick together with the thread sandwiched inside.
5. Repeat and space evenly. Continue adding pairs of shapes along the thread, spacing them evenly as you go. When finished, trim the excess thread at the bottom and use the top loop to hang your new paper mobile wherever you like.
How to Make a DIY Bird Mobile
Brittni
Ingredients
- Scrapbook paper or any decorative paper — recycled paper like old envelopes makes this eco-friendly and inexpensive.
- Cardstock (for the template)
- Pencil
- Small scissors
- Double-sided tape
- Cotton thread
Instructions
- Choose a shape and make a template on cardstock. Birds are shown here, but any silhouette will work.
- Trace the template onto cardstock or folded patterned paper and cut it out. Folding the paper lets you cut multiple pieces at once.
- If you want several hanging elements, cut pairs of identical shapes — two per finished piece — so they sandwich the thread.
- Lay out a length of thread, leaving a loop at the top to hang. Position one shape right side down under the thread, add a small piece of double-sided tape across the thread, then place the matching shape right side up over the top and press to seal.
- Repeat and space the shapes along the thread. Trim the bottom, secure the top, and hang the mobile where it can gently move.
Did you make this?
Share your creation by tagging @paperandstitch or use the hashtag #paperandstitch on social media.
More paper DIY ideas to try
- Paper crown garland made from recycled book pages — a festive decoration or party accessory.
- Paper hair flowers — create lightweight floral clips and accessories from cardstock or patterned paper.
- Heart paper garland — perfect for Valentine’s Day and simple to customize.
- Unique paper gift wrap ideas — transform paper into pouches and creative packaging for presents.