Papel picado banner

 

These colourful papel picado banners are perfect for a party, or just adding a bit of Mexican sunshine to your home décor...

They are so easy to make...this would be a great project to do with the kids, providing they are confident using scissors...

This is my second post about my recent papel picado crush....read more about papel picado and see more ideas of how to use this Mexican folk art in your home décor here

DIY tutorial: Papel picado banner

You will need:

Crepe paper/ tissue paper

scissors

masking tape 1"

washi tape

template

It is best to use crepe paper for these banners as it is easier to handle than tissue paper.

You can freestyle the cutting of these, or make up your own templates, but I found these free to download templates here: 

 papel picado party banner template

Lets get started:

Make up little books of crepe paper folded in half inside your folded template...

5-6 sheets of crepe paper in each book is enough....too much makes it difficult to cut.

...secure with masking tape or paperclip as shown in the photo above... 

Cut out your template by folding your book along the patterns...

 When you have finished cutting out the holes and shape of the papel picado, simply unfold to reveal...

As the crepe paper will be a bit wrinkly after all that folding , I would advise that you press them in between the pages of a book over night.....

 

....before going on to the next step...

Stringing up your papel picado banner 

 

 All you will need for this is 1" masking tape....

place a strip of masking tape , glue side up, on the table....

....then carefully position your papel picado half way onto the tape...

....fold the masking tape over...

...repeat with all your pieces....

Then join them all together using small bits of masking tape...

If you want you can use some washi tape to cover the masking tape to make it a little prettier...

...and there you have it: beautiful paper cut out garland...

...Mexican style!

If you love Papel Picado as much as me, check out my papel picado coasters and Papel Picado cushion.papel picado cushion...

Have a colourful summer!!

xxx

June