How to Roll a Leaf Tip | Step-by-Step Tutorial

What do you need to make a leaf tip?

You don’t need much to make this design. A paper tip, a flat surface and a little patience are all you need. For your first attempt, it can help to use a slightly longer tip so you have enough paper left to wrap around the design at the end.

How to make a leaf tip step by step

1. Make the first fold

   Start by making a small fold of around 5 mm at the top of the tip. Keep this first fold fairly small. If you make the first few folds too large, you may not have enough paper left at the end to roll the leaf tip properly.

2. Create the zigzag folds

   Fold the paper over the first fold, then fold it back in the opposite direction. Make the next fold slightly smaller. This gradually creates a compact zigzag or M-shape.

3. Shape the centre of the leaf

   Fold the tip back once more to create the base of the leaf pattern. Keep the folds tight and gently press them into place so they hold their shape.

4. Connect the folds

   Carefully open the first fold and tuck the end of the folded section into the last fold. Gently press the different layers together. At this point, you should start to see the basic leaf shape taking form.

5. Shape both sides of the leaf

   Make a small bend underneath the leaf on one side, then repeat this on the other side. Try to keep both sides as symmetrical as possible.

   Tip: This is usually the trickiest part. Don’t worry if the leaf doesn’t look perfect yet. You can still adjust the shape later before rolling the tip completely.

6. Start rolling the tip

   Once the folded section stays firmly in place, slowly roll the remaining paper towards the leaf. Hold the folded pattern gently between your fingers so it doesn’t shift or spring open.

7. Refine the leaf shape

   Before rolling the tip all the way, you can gently adjust both sides of the leaf. A few small tweaks can make the leaf pattern look cleaner and more defined.

8. Roll the tip completely

   Hold the leaf firmly in place and roll the remaining paper all the way around the folded design. The outer layer of the tip will keep the pattern securely together.

The most important tip

Start small. One of the most common mistakes is making the first folds too large. Remember that you still need enough paper at the end to wrap around the entire design.

The leaf doesn’t have to look perfect while you’re folding it either. Once you start rolling the remaining paper around the design, it becomes much easier to make the final adjustments to the leaf shape.

Practice makes perfect

A leaf tip can be a little tricky the first few times you try it. Holding several small folds in place at the same time is often the hardest part. Use the slow tutorial above to rewatch any difficult sections and pause the video whenever you need to.

Once you understand how the different folds fit together, making your next leaf tip will be much quicker and easier.