MATERIALS
- Butcher paper or newspaper, 3–6 (12") squares
- Paper-backed fusible web (I used Wonder-Under®.)
- Foreground fabric, 12" square
- Background fabric, 13" square
- Scissors, pairs for paper and for fabric
- Contrasting embroidery fl oss or perle cotton
(I used both in a variety of colors.) - 3–4 small binder clips
Optional - Felt, 13" square
- Backing, 13" square
- ¼ yard binding fabric
I could have stopped there but I wanted to capture
some of the amazing detail of the papel picado that
inspired me to begin this artistic adventure, so I added
embroidery in contrasting colors to make the whole
thing pop. When I shared the results with a few friends,
one said the designs reminded her of Hawaiian appliqué,
the other thought they were reminiscent of simple
Japanese Kirigami paper designs. I realized then that I
had tapped into a universal design. There is something
very appealing in the symmetry of the folded, cut
shapes—the forms are at once geometric and organic
with a repetition that is engaging to the eye. I love
that each one, like a true snowfl ake, is unique and the
possibilities for variation are almost endless.
International Inspirations
Paper folding and similar techniques are found around the world. Here are a few I fi nd especially inspiring.
Papel Picado: A Mexican folk art in which elaborate designs are made by cutting into colored tissue paper. Th e fi nished
items are used for display in a variety of celebrations.
Kirigami: A Japanese art form that is a variation of origami and includes cutting folded paper typically into symmetrical
designs. As in origami, no glue is typically used in the fi nal creation.
Hawaiian Appliqué: A quilting style of the Hawaiian Islands that uses large radially symmetric appliqué designs often of
stylized botanical themes in bold colors on a white background.“Fiesta” • 38½ " x 14"