Iris Folding with Cathy Chappell 02-06-2026

March 11, 2026

Hi everyone!

Attached are various animal templates you can enlarge or minimize and print to use as a template for the Iris folding class on Feb 6. Also photos of my process. Sorry the pics are all mixed up-- my phone and computer are not talking human.

Or if you would like send a picture(s) of your pets to me and I can set up a template to send back to you. Or you can ask AI for a template of whatever….

1. For the template for class you should use a a heavy card stock like paper. I like using the size of 8 1/2 x 11 for a template with a smaller stencil. Too small of a template, I think is harder to do. Remember to use an exacto knife and only cut stencil. Save stencil.

2. Do #1 and then cut out a larger stencil (1/16" to 1/8" larger) of a nice paper to frame your work.

3. Write back to back side of white template.

4. On the stencil (dog cut out) start penciling in lines and numbers and other forms to help make the Iris folding. First I lightly make any design to use --like separation of fur color or eyes etc. then start making (what if) lines to start your iris fold, working from the outside in.

5. I choose 3 or more different colors of paper to use for the folding. I am doing a party poodle, it's a black and white labradoodle.

-- Instructions so far... phew.

Materials list:

1. Card stock 8 1/2 x 11 with a stencil cut out.

2. Another template a bit larger with the stencil cut. We can use this at the end to finish the look. Or you can paint, draw etc around Iris folding

3. The stencil marked up with Iris folding lines.

Or you can do 1,2 and 3 in class

4. scotch tape

5. Scissors

6. 3 or more different colored thin paper

7. A small red paper for the heart in the middle if you want.