Easy to make Diwali Lantern (Akaash Kandil)

This is one decoration that all the kids love to have each Diwali season. There are so many different patterns available in the market. But its always fun to make one of your own. This year we tried an easy one using a multicolor paper lantern. I had one available from a colored paper lantern set that I bought for another event.

Things needed are :

1. Paper Lantern (Use the shape you prefer) Round as we did.
2. Gift tissue. (Various colors that go well with the color of the Lantern)
3. Glue
4. Stapler
5. Diya shaped stencil from here.
6. Twine
7. String for tying the lantern

Steps to follow:

1. Open up the lantern so that it takes it shape.

2. Prepare the Lace tail

For this we will use gift tissue papers. You may choose the colors you like. As per the colors of my lantern I chose violet, green, yellow and pink.

Now you need to cut a piece of each color in 2 inch difference so that each color piece is 2 inch longer than the other. So we arrange the strips in the color pattern we want.

So in the above picture it shows that I have arranged 4 tissues. Purple is 8 inches long while yellow, pink and green are 10, 12 and 14 inches long respectively. Cut them in those sizes then paste one edge of each paper using glue.

Place a thread or twine near the glued edge and fold it about 1/2-3/4 inches and stick with glue. This will help us easily round up the lace without much hassle.

Now the final part of the Lace starts and that is cutting the fringes. Using a scissors start cutting the papers. You can either start from one of the sides or use the fold and cut method. For that you fold the paper in the middle and then cut it. Then fold each part again in the middle and cut. Keep following that until you reach the desired width of the lace.

Try cutting it into 1/4 inches strip as it will give a nice lacy look but you can keep it wider or thinner as per your liking. This is how it finally looked.

3. Adding the lace to the Lantern

Now with the smallest size color paper inside tie the edges of the thread or twine to form a round lace. Tying it inside out makes it easier to attach it to the lantern. Then put in on the side of the lantern as shown in the picture.

Staple the tied edges of the lace so as to give it a better shape. Then you can either staple the lace around the lantern or stick it with glue. Though I had earlier used glue to stick lace in my previous projects but stapling seemed easier and faster that I tried in this project.

Once stapled turn it inside out so that the lace is down the lantern and its all ready.

4. Adding the Diwali touch

Though the lantern is ready but we will give it a Diwali touch up so it looks perfect for the occasion. Just cut out the Diya shapes from the stencil provided above and color the flames orange. I printed it out on yellow paper as it would go well the color of the lantern but you can use it as per your choice or even choose to color it up after printing on white. This also becomes a nice job to be completed just by kids.

Just stick the completed diyas around the lantern and its all done. Just hang the lantern with a light bulb in the center and it will glow up your balcony/patio or any other place of decoration this festive season.

Enjoy the Decoration. 

Happy Diwali !!!

PS: Diwali diya stencil credits to http://mocomi.com/diwali-diya-stencil/