![\"Beautiful](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Autumn-Iris-Folding-Projects.jpg?resize=688%2C361&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nAutumn is one of my favourite times of year for crafting. There are just so many gorgeous colours to work with \u2013 deep oranges, reds, mustard yellows, woodland greens and warm browns. Iris folding works particularly well at this time of year as you can completely change the feel of a design simply by switching the papers you use. A pattern that doesn\u2019t immediately look \u201cautumnal\u201d can suddenly feel perfect for the season when made with rich autumn colours, recycled papers or scraps of old wrapping paper.<\/p>\n
This website contains affiliate links. As an affiliate I may earn money from qualifying purchases. As an Amazon Influencer\/ Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.<\/em>\u00a0Thank you if you do use one of my links \u2013 it helps keep my website going. Please see\u00a0affiliate link<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0disclaimer page<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019ve gathered together some of my favourite autumn iris folding patterns and ideas<\/strong>, including several of my own free patterns and a few lovely designs from other iris-folding creators.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve never tried iris folding before, you might like to start with my Iris Folding for Beginners guide<\/strong><\/a> where you\u2019ll find instructions, tips and links to lots of free patterns. Here\u2019s my iris folding toolkit<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n All of the Busy Busy Learning patterns below are free to download. You\u2019ll find even more in my Free Iris Folding Pattern Library<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Sunflowers are one of those lovely flowers that carry us from the end of summer right into autumn.<\/p>\n My free sunflower iris folding pattern<\/strong><\/a> can actually be used either as a sun or a flower depending on the colours you choose. For an autumn sunflower I\u2019d use warm yellows, ochre and golden papers with rich brown tones towards the centre.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also a lovely opportunity to use up those tiny pieces of patterned paper that always seem too pretty to throw away.<\/p>\n Owls feel very at home in an autumn craft collection. My free owl iris folding pattern<\/strong><\/a> could easily be given an autumn makeover using rusty oranges, browns, deep reds and woodland greens.<\/p>\n Twiggles the Owl is a little wonky, which I think rather adds to his charm! Based on a pillow I once made for my Mom many years ago. My lovely auntie has just done an autumnal version with three owls sat on a branch \u2013 two larger owls and one smaller. Totally adorable!<\/p>\n This would make a lovely autumn card or you could mount the finished design and add it to a seasonal nature table display.<\/p>\n Lanterns are one of my favourite crafts as the evenings begin to draw in. I originally designed my free iris folding lantern pattern<\/strong><\/a> for Lunar New Year, but it\u2019s a design that works beautifully for autumn too.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve also included it in our Waldorf Inspired Autumn Lanterns<\/strong><\/a> ideas.<\/p>\n Try switching the surrounding card to orange, brown or deep red and using warm glowing shades of yellow, orange and gold for the folded papers. It\u2019s one of my more intricate iris folding patterns, so if you\u2019re completely new to the craft I\u2019d start with one of the easier designs first.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll find a free landscape iris folding pattern<\/strong> in my Iris Folding Pattern Library. This one is incredibly easy to adapt through the seasons.<\/p>\n For autumn you could use:<\/p>\n It could make a beautiful little autumn scene for a card or seasonal display. Find the Landscape pattern in the free Iris Folding Pattern Library<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Sometimes the simplest designs give you the most freedom. My free recycled square iris folding pattern<\/strong><\/a> is one of my favourite beginner projects. Instead of creating a particular object, choose an autumn colour palette and let the papers do all the work.<\/p>\n Look out for:<\/p>\n Iris folding originally made use of papers such as patterned envelope interiors, so it\u2019s a perfect craft for raiding the recycling pile. You could even add a die-cut or hand-cut leaf, acorn or small pumpkin to the finished square to make it more obviously seasonal.<\/p>\n Pretty in Paper by B was actually where I first discovered iris folding kits before I began designing patterns myself. Bethan has an enormous selection of iris folding patterns, but there are two that particularly caught my eye for autumn.<\/p>\n You really can\u2019t have an autumn craft round-up without a pumpkin! Bethan\u2019s Pumpkin Iris Folding Pattern<\/strong> is a beginner-friendly digital download which includes the iris folding pattern, card template, instructions and an SVG cut file for those using a cutting machine.<\/p>\n I love that this one could work equally well for general autumn crafting, harvest displays or Halloween depending on the papers you choose.<\/p>\n Find the Pumpkin Iris Folding Pattern at Pretty in Paper by B<\/strong><\/a>. If you\u2019re not based in the UK then she has an Etsy shop for international sales here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Another lovely seasonal design is Bethan\u2019s mini leaf iris folding pattern<\/strong>. It\u2019s based around a maple-style leaf and would look gorgeous made with several shades of orange, red and yellow.<\/p>\n It\u2019s another beginner pattern and would make a lovely little autumn card.<\/p>\n Find the Leaf Iris Folding Pattern at Pretty in Paper by B<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also browse more of Bethan\u2019s designs at Pretty in Paper by B<\/strong><\/a> or on her Etsy store here<\/a><\/strong>. I\u2019m very fond of the hedgehog that came as part of a kit. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re still looking for ideas, Craft with Sarah<\/strong> has a large collection of free iris folding patterns. Two that would work especially well for autumn are:<\/p>\n Sarah has a free pumpkin pattern in her iris folding library \u2013 another great choice for autumn or Halloween crafting.<\/p>\n I particularly like the idea of using the pear pattern as part of an autumn or harvest theme. You could use yellow-green, golden and russet papers for a lovely seasonal look.<\/p>\n Both can be found in Sarah\u2019s complete iris folding guide and free pattern collection<\/strong><\/a>. You\u2019ll need a free account\/login to download the patterns.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily need an autumn-specific pattern to create an autumn iris folding project.<\/p>\n Try combining papers in colours such as:<\/p>\n I generally prefer fairly lightweight papers for iris folding \u2013 around 60\u201380gsm<\/strong> works particularly well because you\u2019re folding each strip and don\u2019t want the finished project to become too bulky.<\/p>\n Origami paper is often a good option, but don\u2019t forget to look through your recycling too.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve tried a few patterns, you might even fancy designing your own.<\/p>\n My How to Design Your Own Iris Folding Patterns<\/strong><\/a> tutorial includes a free square template and shows you how I adapt it to create different designs.<\/p>\n You could experiment with a simple:<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily need to make a complicated pattern for the aperture itself to instantly give the finished piece an autumn feel.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve got a growing collection of free iris folding patterns and tutorials here on Busy Busy Learning.<\/p>\nFree Autumn Iris Folding Patterns from Busy Busy Learning<\/h2>\n
![\"Beautiful](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Iris-Folding-Sunflower.jpg?resize=688%2C516&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nSunflower Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
![\"Bright](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Iris-Folding-Owl-corner-nibbler.jpg?resize=688%2C516&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nWoodland Owl Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/PXL_20250106_104451102.jpg?resize=688%2C517&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nAutumn Iris Folding Lantern<\/h3>\n
![\"Colorful](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Iris-Folding-Landscape-Bookmark.jpg?resize=688%2C516&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nCreate an Autumn Landscape<\/h2>\n
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![\"An](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Recycled-Square-Small.jpg?resize=688%2C387&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nMake a Simple Autumn Square<\/h2>\n
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Craftober Hobbycraft Offer<\/h3>\n
![\"Autumn-themed](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1500x500-affiliates-craftober-01-s-1.png?resize=688%2C229&quality=80&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nAutumn Iris Folding Patterns from Pretty in Paper by B<\/h2>\n
Pumpkin Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
Autumn Leaf Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/busybusylearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG20230423101215.jpg?resize=688%2C516&quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nMore Free Autumn Iris Folding Patterns<\/h2>\n
Pumpkin Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
Pear Iris Folding Pattern<\/h3>\n
Choosing Autumn Papers for Iris Folding<\/h2>\n
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Design Your Own Autumn Iris Folding Pattern<\/h2>\n
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More Iris Folding Patterns<\/h2>\n