The Art of Paper Cutting

Paper cutting is "the best-known ignored medium in use everywhere in the world," says French artist Beatrice Coron, a master paper cutter. We agree. The art of cutting paper has been around since the second century AD, when the Chinese royal entourage cut paper and embroidery patterns, and includes Japanese kirigami, Polish wycinanki, Mexican papel picado and wonderful cut paper collages by artist Henri Matisse.

Still, paper cutting isn't an art that springs to most modern-day crafters' minds. But it should: it's fun and inexpensive and the results can be spectacular. Colorful Mexican and Japanese paper-cutting projects add bright color and fun to a celebration, and traditional paper-cutting methods used in non-traditional ways--to create curtains and stick-on window coverings--can add pizzazz to your home.

Banners & Flags

The basic method for making papel picado banners and little flags is essentially the same. A stack of rectangular tissue paper is folded in half and a pattern is attached with paper clips. Areas of the paper are then cut away with scissors or with a craft knife. When finished, each piece is ironed then either hung on string or glued to a dowel. The simplest project for a beginner is the Easy Flower Banner or the Easy Flower Flag (figures A and B). Neither project requires a craft knife.

Before stringing, each finished banner measures about 11" x 15." Finished flags are 7" x 10." Half sheets of standard 12" x 18" tissue paper work well for the flags, whole sheets for the banners. Single layers of tissue paper are traditionally used for papel picado. To make a sturdier banner or flag (that's also easier to cut), we attached two pieces of tissue paper with spray adhesive. Directions below make three banners or flags at a time.

Materials:

three double sheets of 12" x 18" colored tissue paper (banners)
three double sheets of 9" x 12" colored tissue paper (flags)
1/8 inch diameter dowel cut 16 to 18 inches long for each flag
string (banners)
paper clips
small sharp scissors
craft knife or utility blade
cutting mat
paper punch
iron
spray adhesive
glue stick

Steps:

1. Choose a pattern and enlarge if desired (figures A, B, C and D).

2. Fold double sheets of tissue paper in half width-wise and attach the pattern with paper clips, lining up the center line of the pattern with the folded center line of the paper (figure E).

3. Use scissors to cut out sections along the middle fold line.

4. Fold the stack of tissue paper on each dotted line and use scissors to cut along the dotted lines.

5. Use a craft knife to cut tricky shapes that can't be cut with scissors These areas are not marked with dotted lines on the pattern (figure F). To finish, follow the instructions below for banners or flags as desired.

Banners
1. Cut border. Decorate by punching holes along the border with a paper punch if desired.

2. Remove pattern. Iron each banner between two pieces of tissue paper using a hot setting.

3. Glue several completed banners to a string to form a strand (figure G). Apply glue about one inch from the top across each banner, arrange the string along the glue line and carefully fold the top of the banner down over the string. Let dry before hanging.

Flags
1. Cut the scalloped edge along the top and bottom of the folded flags. On the right side of the pattern, separate the top three sheets from the bottom three, and cut the scalloped edge in only the top three (figure H). This leaves a straight edge (for the dowel) on one side of each of the three flags.

2. Unfold the flags, stack them then paper punch holes along the scalloped edges.

3. Iron each flag (hot setting) between two sheets of tissue paper. Apply glue to the unscalloped flap, place the dowel along the edge of the paper and roll tightly  to attach.

Window Coverings

Like a big paper snowflake for your window, an inexpensive cut-paper curtain can add texture and interest. It can also provide a touch of lacy coolness in the summer and screen an unpleasant view or provide a bit of privacy. Choose a flexible paper, such as Thai Unryu paper, sew a rod pocket at the top, fold and snip diamonds and ovals then hang on a tension rod. Swirly white Unryu paper is cooling, while a soft gray Unryu adds a warm touch to a room.

You can hand two panels side by side if your window is large or carefully glue sections of the paper together to form one panel (use a glue stick). The paper can be ironed after gluing, folding and cutting, but be sure to iron it between two sheets of tissue paper to prevent tears.

To add decorative paper stick-ons to your windows or doors, use double-sided mounting film, available from arts-supply stores. Cut a piece of mounting film to the approximate size of the window pane. Remove the backing from one side of the film and attach to your piece of art paper (we used Thai banana paper in various colors). Cut patterns in the adhesive-backed paper with a craft knife. Soft paper can be folded and cut with sharp scissors. After cutting, remove the backing from the other side of the film and mount your paper on a glass surface. To remove, loosen a corner and pull. Clean up any sticky residue left on the window with an adhesive remover such as Goo Gone.

Kirigami

The Japanese art of paper cutting produces wonderful paper decorations, some of which are very elaborate. The patterns with straight cuts are easiest for beginners. To make coaster and place mats, place kirigami on colorful sheets of paper then laminate or encase in clear Contact paper.

Materials:

squares of lightweight colored paper - origami paper works well
pencil
scissors

Steps:

1. Fold paper in half twice then fold on the diagonal to form a triangle (figure I).

2. With the folded edges on each side and the cut edge at the top, arrange the triangle so the bottom point forms a V-shape (figure J).

3. Design your own pattern or use one of our templates (figures K, L or M).

4. Enlarge the template to the desired size then cut it out. Trace the pattern onto the folded V-shape paper (figure N).

5. Cut out the traced design (figure O).