| joanmansson.com paper weaving instruction |
| Instructions for weaving the White Ibis tapestry |
First I start with a photograph, either one of my own
or an illustration from a book or magazine. When
creating an image in woven paper I like to use a
distinctive outline, like a profile or a familiar shape,
in this case, the full body profile a White Ibis I
photographed on Belleair Beach, Florida.
I selected a paper I have never used for weaving
before, tinted vellum. It's a little stiffer than
decorative paper or origami paper but since it's
translucent it will look interesting resting on a
handmade paper. For the weft I used quilling paper
in colors which match those in the photo. Quilling
paper holds up well to being woven in and out of the
slits in most papers and comes in a wide variety of
colors and is ready to use.
I use a plastic cutting board, x-acto knives, a 6 inch
metal ruler for guiding the blade and a quarter inch
wide metal blade to assist in lifting the paper as well
as a slightly narrower metal bodkin.
I've traced the outline of the bird onto the vellum with
a number 2 pencil being careful not to press down.
When I'm done it's easily erased.
Since the beak is so narrow I used the bodkin to lift
paper warp and the blade to help guide the quilling
paper through the slits.
For the body of the bird I used the 1/4 inch metal
ruler to guide the paper through the slits. I work
from both front and back of the weaving depending
on which is easier.
My weaving is almost complete. All that is left is to
cut a curved slit in the textured paper and slip in the
vellum paper.
The tapestry is complete.
Click here to return to Home Page
or an illustration from a book or magazine. When
creating an image in woven paper I like to use a
distinctive outline, like a profile or a familiar shape,
in this case, the full body profile a White Ibis I
photographed on Belleair Beach, Florida.
I selected a paper I have never used for weaving
before, tinted vellum. It's a little stiffer than
decorative paper or origami paper but since it's
translucent it will look interesting resting on a
handmade paper. For the weft I used quilling paper
in colors which match those in the photo. Quilling
paper holds up well to being woven in and out of the
slits in most papers and comes in a wide variety of
colors and is ready to use.
I use a plastic cutting board, x-acto knives, a 6 inch
metal ruler for guiding the blade and a quarter inch
wide metal blade to assist in lifting the paper as well
as a slightly narrower metal bodkin.
I've traced the outline of the bird onto the vellum with
a number 2 pencil being careful not to press down.
When I'm done it's easily erased.
Since the beak is so narrow I used the bodkin to lift
paper warp and the blade to help guide the quilling
paper through the slits.
For the body of the bird I used the 1/4 inch metal
ruler to guide the paper through the slits. I work
from both front and back of the weaving depending
on which is easier.
My weaving is almost complete. All that is left is to
cut a curved slit in the textured paper and slip in the
vellum paper.
The tapestry is complete.
Click here to return to Home Page
| One of the joys of paper weaving is that all papers can be used to create a variety of textures and visual affects. Newspaper, magazines, left over or used wrapping paper, scrap booking paper, butcher paper, quilling paper, origami paper, rice paper and other hand made papers, tracing paper, construction paper and any I may have left out can be used to create paper woven tapestries as simple or as complicated as you chose. The only tools you need are scissors, a box cutter or craft knife, a pencil (and eraser) and a metal edged ruler and something to use to guide the weft. I use a 1/4 inch wide metal ruler and a weaving bodkin. Have a look around your house before you go shopping. You'll be surprised at what you already have to start weaving with paper. |