How to Embroider on Rice Paper
In China, craftsmen train for two to three years before they embroider complicated designs on special rice paper called Xuan paper. According to ChinaCulture.org, rice paper embroidery originated during the Ming Dynasty. Anyone, however, can embroider simple designs on rice paper as long as the paper is properly prepared.
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Things You'll Need
- Transfer paper
- Rice paper (measuring 6 inches by 6 inches)
- Foam or mousepad (measuring 1/8 inch thick and 6 inches by 6 inches)
- Painter's tape
- Embroidery needle
- Embroidery floss (1 or 2 colors)
- Transparent tape
Instructions
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Find a simple design as your inspiration. Look through clip art for ideas or create your own sketch. Avoid anything too complicated with shading and several colors. Search for a clear, bold outline on whatever design you choose. Print or sketch your design onto transfer paper.
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Place the rice paper on the foam. Use painter's tape to lightly tape the sides of the paper to the sides of the foam. Lay your design on the rice paper. Gently adhere your design onto the rice paper with painter's tape.
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Follow the outline of your design and punch holes into the rice paper with the needle. Punch the holes evenly spaced 1/4 inch apart. Use extra caution in spots where the lines of the design intersect. Placing holes too closely together can lead to ripped holes and ruin an entire project.
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Remove the rice paper carefully from the taped transfer paper and foam. Thread your needle but don't knot the end of the floss. Choose a spot in the center of the design and flip the rice paper over. Tape the end of the floss to the backside of the rice paper around this center spot. Adhere the floss with a small piece of transparent tape.
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Begin stitching in the center of the design. Pull the needle through one hole, bringing the floss up from the bottom. Gently bring the floss all the way through the hole without pulling too hard. Insert the needle into the next hole, either to the left or right, and bring the floss back down to the underside of the paper. Continue stitching in this manner until every hole has been stitched.
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Complete the project by running the needle under a few stitches on the back side of the rice paper. Cut the floss, leaving a 2-inch tail. Tape the tail to the back of the rice paper near the last stitch using transparent tape. Trim the floss closely to the tape.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using too many colors for your first rice paper embroidery project. One or two colors makes a pretty creation.
