Woven paper mats tutorial
These paper mats when done are beautiful. It doesnt have that even surface that characterises a paper. Weaving gives our mat an entirely different texture when finished. Its that very texture that makes this so special. Just like two inseparable lovers, each layer of this mat is wound tight unseparable.
Choose any color you want. I chose white and gold to make mine. You can go for a multi colored one. To give your project a more refined look, make sure there is a gradient variation in the colors.
Materials required:
I used 5 mm quilling strips which I had. But dont be restricted by the width of the paper. You can use 7 mm strips or 10 mm strips. If you dont have quilling strips, just cut a thick paper to strips of required width. The wider the strips you use, the lesser number of strips you will need. Those who like big checks, can use wider strips. The lovers of smaller ones, can go with lesser one. Enjoy the difference!
A few questions before you start:
What colour do you want for the border of your mat?
I wanted white, so I started with white. Choose your colours.
What are the dimensions you need?
My quilling strips were pretty long so I didnt worry about my final dimension. I just stopped adding the second colored strip when I got the width I needed. So can you.
Lets get started:
I took the white quilling paper (lets call it my starting white strip) and glued the golden quilling paper to it from one end to the other. See the figure below. When done, I pasted one more white strip on top of it (for extra security).
Take a white quilling strip and weave it between alternate strands of the golden strips. ie, you go, over-under-over-under-over-under-.... until you reach the other end. See the figure in the right (below). After your your white strip have been placed thus, move it to the top - so that its now aligned with our starting white strip.
Continue adding white strips. In the second step, your mantra is under-over-under-over-under-over-.... Then off you go over-under-over-under-over-under-... again. Alternate your chants and continue adding further strips of white.
Stop when you have the required width. I glued strips of white on either side in the last row and also in the sides to give it the white border.
Finishing thoughts:
You can also make these woven mats with ribbon. Sew them in the first step and repeat the same steps.
Doesnt matter if you use them as book covers or placemats, this piece will catch everyone's attention.
