Woven Place Mat

• PRINT
• EMAIL

Weaving is the oldest surviving craft dating as far back as 12,000 years ago. As a class, explore a time line of weaving: http://www.weavedesign.eu/site/index.php/about-his-work/6-techniques/20-history-of-weaving.

OBJECTIVE
Measuring and cutting out ½-inch strips of paper. Cutting in straight lines. Weaving in and out.

MATERIALS
Scissors, ruler, colored paper and recycled newspaper, tape

DIRECTIONS
1)    Begin with your background paper. This can be printer paper or a nicer card stock—whatever you have!
2)    Using a ruler, make lines one inch apart down your page; be sure to leave room at the top and bottom of the page.
3)    Using a pair of scissors, carefully cut along the lines—again, be sure to leave an inch or two at the top and bottom so you don’t cut through the page .

4)    Cut approximately 10 to 15 strips of paper, each ½ inch x 12 inches, out of recycled or colored paper.
5)    Begin weaving the strips of paper into the slits of your background paper, alternating “over, under, over, under” so that the exposed paper is different each time!
6)    Secure your project with a bit of tape on the back, and trim the paper that sticks out over your background paper with a pair of scissors.