How to Make a Papel Picado Banner

Those versed in Mexican folk art know papel picado, or perforated paper, very well. Considered by some to originate from Aztec amate, dating from before Spanish conquistadors came to North America, the colorful patterns decorate streets, homes and shops for holidays and other celebrations. Typically, a papel picado artist uses mallets and fierritos or special chisels, to cut through 30 or 40 layers of paper at a time in a very time- and labor-intensive process, but you can make your own papel picado banner at home with a pair of sharp scissors.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Sharp scissors
• String
• Glue

Instructions

1. Draw a 13-by-12 rectangle on a piece of tissue paper. Stack several sheets of paper together, under the one with the pattern, and cut out the shape.

2. Mark 1 inch from the top of a tissue rectangle. Fold the bottom of the paper to the line you marked. You will use the paper above the line to attach your cut paper to the string.

3. Fold the paper in half and then in half again.

4. Draw cutting lines for curves, notches or other shapes in the corners and along the edges of the paper. Leave spaces between the lines, so that the paper design will stay together when you cut away the extra space.

5. Cut on the lines with sharp scissors. Craft stores sell special scissors designed for intricate paper cutting; if you plan to make a lot of papel picado, they are a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, any sharp scissors will do, although shorter, pointed blades will make the project easier.

6. Open the tissue paper carefully to avoid tearing the intricate designs.

7. Repeat the process until you have enough papers for the width of the banner you want to make.

8. Cut a string length 2 feet longer than the desired banner width, to allow extra string to hang your finished banner.

9. Fold the top inch of each papel picado piece over the string and glue it in place, spacing the papers evenly along the length of the string.

Tips & Warnings

• Traditionally, artists use special colors for different themes. For example, pink, orange and purple predominate designs for El Dia de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, while rainbow colors are common for Christmas and feast days.

• If the tissue paper slips when you try to cut it, fold it inside a sheet of copy paper to give it stability.

• Use double-sided scrapbooking paper for a contemporary twist to this old art form.

References

• Pat Mora; Make a Papel Picado Banner; Pat Mora
• International Folk Art; Papel Picaado; A Traditional Mexican Folk Art; Catalina Delgado-Trunk, et al
• ArtHouse: Jerome's Class Learned About Mexican Culture and About the El Dia de los Muertos Holiday
• PBS Kids; Papel Picado; Ricardo and Jessica
• Education.com; Papel Picado: Create Colorful Tissue Paper Banners; Barbara Sweet