How to Make a Folding Cloth Fan

We are in the sweltering hot Dog Days of Summer. Ohio likes to add a little extra misery to the mix with humidity. Hazy, Hot, and Humid is a phrase all Ohioans face with sweaty dread and air conditioning.

Until you have to go outside – yuck.

Fortunately, there is an easy, eco friendly, and cute solution – use a hand fan to keep cool!

 Pin this tutorial for later!

I am embarrassed to tell you how many years it took to solve this problem by carrying a folding hand fan in my  in my real life even though a fan is a necessity in my Time Travel life as a historical entertainer.

Not only is the fan a way to keep cool while wearing a sofa’s equivalent in upholstery fabric but also makes an excellent preforming prop. 

Thing is, I like fans in fun designs and colors that coordinate with my outfit of the day. Unfortunately, most of those are paper fans that rip easily. Many of the fabric fans at World Market don’t strike  my fancy.


There is an quick and easy way to fix folding fans – recycling the ripped fan into a new fabric fan with fun fabric.

How to Repair a Cloth Folding Hand Fan

You will need:

Bamboo Fan –  It doesn’t matter if it is made from cloth or paper. I buy mine at dollar stores, World Market, and sometimes craft or party stores.

E6000 Fabri-Fuse Adhesive – Use the Fabric Glue version not regular E600!  E6000 Fabri-Fuse was originally made to glue appliques, it will not pool or dry too stuff, and wears like iron! It is a costumer’s best friend.

1 Fat Quarter of Fabric

Fray check. – another fabric artist, seamstress, and costumers best friend.

Paper

Pencil

Scissors

Pattern weights

Disclosure: I included big bold affiliate links in this post for your convenience.


How to Make it:


1. Carefully remove the paper or fabric from your bamboo fan. You will need it to make a pattern.


2. Use the pencil to trace the paper or fabric onto a piece of paper to make a pattern.


3. Steady the pattern on the fabric with the pattern weights and cut the fabric to the pattern with the scissors.

I like this bright fabric because it goes with everything!

4. Apply Fray Check to the edges of the fan fabric. This will keep it from fraying when you use the fan. Alternatively, you can cut the fabric 1/4 inch larger than your fan pattern and use an iron to turn over the raw edges There isn’t a right or wrong way. I have vintage and modern fans that use both techniques.


5. Use the E6000 fabric glue to attach the fan fabric to the Bamboo stays and allow it to dry. I let mine dry overnight.

Again I recommend using E600 Fabric Glue because it will hold like iron on two different surfaces. It will not pool, show through, or leave behind hard chunks when it dries like hot glue. It also won’t melt outside in the heat like hot glue might.

6. Fold the fan, open it with a snap, and flutter away!

If you'd rather buy than DIY, check out the following options - and more! - below!

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