Weaving is a wonderful way to add texture and dimension to your layout. It adds the look of complexity to your page. In reality, it’s quite simple to do. With just a few easy steps, you can complete a page in under an hour.
Supplies
Bamboo skewers (found at your local grocery store)
Craft knife
Ruler
Pencil
Photo(s)
Cardstock
Misted paper or patterned paper, cut into strips
Items to embellish your layout with
Step One Choose the photo placement. This will allow you to figure out how to place the skewers. You are going to need 5 skewers, evenly spaced apart. If necessary, use a ruler to help you space the skewers. Note: You can decide how large a section to add weaving to and whether or not to place your photos directly upon the weaving or elsewhere on the page.
Step Two Using the ruler, mark 5 pairs of lines alongside the skewers: one pair of lines at the bottom of the skewer and one pair of lines at the top. The lines need to be a little less than 1 cm part.
Step Three Use your craft knife to cut slits using the pairs of lines as your guide. You will then slide the bamboo skewer through each pair of slits. Erase any stray pencil marks prior to sliding the skewer through.
Step Four Slide your skewers through the slits. Note: the page may buckle a tiny bit after you insert the skewers. This is normal.
Step Five Weave paper strips through the skewers. The width of the paper strips is a personal preference. In this case, I chose to cut my strips approximately 1 cm wide.
Note: Start one strip under the skewer and weave the strip over and under the other skewers. Start the next strip over the skewer and continue weaving. Each strip should be opposite the strip next to it.
Step Six Continue weaving until you have filled in the desired area. Note: The paper strips may move around a bit. Once you have finished weaving, use a little bit of adhesive to keep them where you want them. You may also need a little liquid adhesive on your skewers to keep those from shifting.
Step Seven Cut off any excess parts from the paper strips.
Step Eight Add photos and embellish your layout as desired.
Quick Tips
-You can alter the color of the skewers with paint or mist.
– It’s easier to weave with paper because it’s stiff, but you could easily substitute ribbon. I chose to mist several scrap pieces of white cardstock, then cut them into strips.
– Use punches or stamps on your paper strips for added interest.
Sunset Swim by Christy Strickler |Supplies Cardstock: Colorbok;Letters: Rusty Pickle; Mist: Ranger; Transparencies: Fancy Pants; Other: Bamboo Skewers
Additional Resources
Budget Scrapbooking: From Scraps to Woven Layers
Weaving with Washi Tape