Make a Colorful Paper Weaving

May 5, 2015

If you’re looking for an approachable way to make visually striking and totally frame-worthy original artwork, paper weaving — a fun update on the textile-weaving trend — just might be for you. Combine your favorite images with embellishments like ribbon, yarn, colored paper, magazine pages, or even your child’s artwork, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind statement piece to display in your home. It’s so easy even a kid could do it (just grab the safety scissors first!).

You will need:

2 photos of your choice, blown up and printed on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper
Paper weaving templates
Scissors
4 small binder clips
Scotch tape
Glue stick (not pictured)
Optional: ribbon, yarn, colored paper or fabric

Download and print the paper weaving templates. You will also need to print two images of your choice on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper; I used some of my Instagram photos for this project, but you could also purchase and download digital images from Etsy sellers. Make sure to size the images so that they fill the entire page.

Place the diagonal-line template on top of one of your photos and the vertical-line template on the other. Note: The white template borders should be on the top and left sides. Secure the templates to the photos using binder clips.

Following the lines of the diagonal template, cut through both the template and the image, making sure to stop cutting where the lines of the template end.

When you’ve finished cutting, remove the binder clips and set the image aside.

Next, cut along the lines of your vertical template and photo.

Tip: Keep the vertical strips in their original order as you cut through this second photo. (You should still be able to make out the image when you’re done.)

Now you’re ready to combine the two images. Starting from the left, grab one strip from the vertically cut image and guide it through the diagonally cut image using an “over-under” pattern.

Push the woven strip all the way to the left and make sure its top and bottom edges line up with those of the diagonally cut image. Then grab a second strip and weave it through using the opposite of the pattern you just used (so go “under-over” this time).

Continue weaving more paper strips, alternating between the over-under and under-over patterns. Feel free to add in other embellishments like fabric strips or colored paper, and keep going until your weaving is complete.