How to make a construction and tisssue paper STAINED GLASS window

This article covers making a construction and tissue paper simulated STAINED GLASS window.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• black construction paper
• colored tissue paper
• glue
• scissors or X-Acto blade knife
• pencil
• patience :)

1. Paper is easy way to make a simulated STAINED GLASS window without all the expense. A few items of paper, glue, and scissors is all you need!
   
   Begin by cutting a black construction paper the size you want your project. It could cover one of your existing windows, or be made just as art. In this article, the paper size is 12 X 16 inches

2. 

   Fold your paper in half vertically. For those that are already lost, it's a HOTDOG fold. Now, draw an arc from the fold to the outside edge of the paper. Cut the arc so that it makes the top of your paper rounded.

3. 

   Unfold it to check the shape of the arc and determine whether or not you want to adjust it. Make adjustments to the arc to suit your needs. You can however leave it square if you want it to fit inside a house window.

4. 

   Refold the paper and draw some designs on the folded edge of the paper. Make sure that they are not too small, or too large. Remember, you will be cutting these out, so if the designs are too small to cut, change them. If you use a X-Acto blade for cutting, your designs can be drawn and cut much smaller than with scissors.

5. 

   It is best to work from top down (or bottom up) when cutting your shapes. This ensures that you're carefully removing most of the black paper and will be able to clearly see through the open areas. Also, you will make cuts that are ON the fold, and PUNCTURE cuts. Puncture cuts are ones that you will need to puncture your scissors through in order to cut out.

6. 

   Open up your design periodically to see the shapes that are created. You can plan your cut designs or just draw and cut them to be surprised. With practice, you will be able to "guess ahead" to know what the shapes will probably look like.

7. 

   When cutting your designs, be sure to leave enough room between the (windows) openings to glue tissue paper. I suggest a 1/4 inch band of paper between each opening.

8. 

   When all the "windows" are finished being cut, study the shapes that are made. Determine the colors of tissue paper you will use and where you will place the papers.

9. 

   On the pencil side of the project, cut tissue paper slightly larger than the shape it will cover. Place a SMALL bead of glue around the edge of the opening, then glue the tissue down. Another way to handle this step is to draw a small bead of glue around the edge of the opening, place tissue paper on the opening making sure it is flat, then use an X-Acto blade to cut on the outside of the glue line. (be careful NOT to cut all the way through your black paper.

10. If you have access, you can laminate your work to make it more permanent. CONGRATULATIONS on your beautiful paper STAINED GLASS window!

Tips & Warnings

• You can use tissue paper straight from store package, or you can alter it by bleeding them together to get the same effect as in my example. I placed two different colors together, laid them on white paper, and painted them with water. When they dried, I used them for the openings.
• Be careful when using an X-Acto blade. ALWAYS cut away from your hands.