These fans were often given as gifts to people going on a vacation or getting married. According to legend, the folding fan was invented by a Japanese craftsman inspired by the way a bat's wings are joined.

Supplies:

• poster board

• embroidery thread

• needle

• 2 small buttons

• paint, crayons or markers

Cut 12 pieces of poster board 7" long. The width at one end should be 2" tapering down to 1/2" at the other end. Poke 3 holes in each with the needle.

Decorate your fan pieces with paint, crayon or markers.

When dry, sew the pieces together at the narrower end, sandwiching them between the buttons. Knot.

Rethread the needle and knot the end. Insert the needle into the right hand hole of the top fan piece from behind. Bring the needle through the other hole and pull the thread tight.

Insert the needle through the right hand hole of the second fan piece, only this time from the front. Bring the needle through the second hole from behind and, once again push through the first hole from the front. Pull the thread just tight enough so the top fan piece overlaps half of the second fan piece.

from Hands Around the World :365 Creative Ways to Build Cultural Awareness & Global Respect by Susan Milord