How to Make Mexican Cut Paper Decorations

"Papel picado" is the Mexican art of cutting paper decorations. It's a fun and easy craft project that you can use to decorate your home or to brighten any party. These guidelines are just to get you started. Once you see how simple it is, use your imagination to create your own Mexican cut paper decorations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Colored tissue paper
• Paper clips
• Sharp scissors
• Paper craft scissors with fancy blades
• Craft knife
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Dowel rod
• Craft glue

1. Make a pattern out of scrap paper. Cut the desired shape out of the scrap paper, and then fold it however you want. This step is similar to making paper snowflakes.

2. Lay three sheets of colored tissue paper on top of each other. Place the pattern you just cut on top of the tissue papers. Clip the pattern and tissue papers together with a paper clip.
   
   

3. Cut the tissue paper out following the pattern you made. You can use a craft knife to cut out the design for your decorations or a pair of sharp scissors. If it's easier, you may also fold the tissue paper the make the cuts.

4. Add a border to three sides of your Mexican paper decoration. You can cut your own scalloped edges or use fancy edger scissors.

5. Separate the three tissue paper sheets. Press them flat using a hot iron. Put each cut sheet between two sheets of plain tissue paper so it doesn't scorch.

6. Fold the unscalloped edge around a dowel rod. Run a bead of craft glue down the unscalloped edge. Attach the cut paper pattern to the dowel rod.

7. Choose a soft, flexible paper to make Mexican cut paper curtains, following the previous steps to do so. Depending on the size of the window, you can either use a large sheet of paper or attach several sheets of paper together like a quilt. Attach the finished curtain to a flexible-length curtain rod.