Scherenschnitte

The craft of papercutting has been done for many years in many countries all over the world. One
of the earliest known papercuttings is from China and dates back to 960 .!. "n #ermany and
$ennsylvania %Scherenschnitte &pronounced shair'en'shnit'teh( was a popular folk art in the
)*00s. +Scherenschnitte+% which literally means +scissors'cutting+% was used to decorate birth and
marriage certificates and Christmas decorations.
ll you need for creating scherenschnitte is time% patience% a steady hand and a few ine,pensive
supplies. The designs can range from small% simple ones to intricate%detailed +masterpieces+ and
once you learn the craft you can e,periment with various papers% colors% frames and pro-ects. .ou
can make your own uni/ue frameable gifts% cards% invitations% notecards% and many more pro-ects
with this simple craft. "f you are a first time Scherenschnitte crafter% it is best if you go over all the instructions before
you start your pro-ect.
0T12"3S and 145"$016T
$archment paper
7acking paper
Small bladed scissors with sharp points &Surgical scissors called +"ris scissors+ % manicuring or
embroidery scissors can be used(
8'CTO knife or multi'purpose snap'off blade cutters
3arge pin or small sharp nail to prick holes through paper
Clear drying glue to paste parchment to backing
9ard surface for cutting when using knife or cutter &wooden cutting board% pane of glass% scrap of
hard plastic% or cutting mat(

). 0aking a pattern'
a. !ecide on a design for your pro-ect. " will be adding some designs which you can get or you can -ust make your
own. Start out with simple designs.
b. Trace it unto the parchment paper.
2. Cutting the design'
a. :or symmetrical designs% the parchment paper is folded along the center fold line and both layers are cut at the same
time. :or designs that are only partially symmetrical% fold and cut symmetrical portions% then unfold and cut
unsymmetrical portions last of all. To prevent the paper from shifting while you are cutting out the design% secure it by
placing several small pieces of masking tape around the open sides.
b. Cut out the central part of the design first% starting with the most intricate details. Scherenschnitte crafters differ in
opinion about which they prefer ' the scissors or 8'CTO knife;blade cutters% so try out both and discover which you
are more comfortable with for the various parts of the design. "f you prefer the scissors% start by holding the scissors
underneath the central part of the design% punch a tiny hole through the area to be cut out% to insert blade. Cut out the
space% feeding paper into the scissors and keeping the scissors moving in a steady rhythm with small cuts.
c. "f you use the 8'CTO knife;blade cutter% you may want to practice first on folded scraps of similar paper. $ractice
cutting curves as well as corners &for a clean corner% make a slight overcut where the two cutting lines meet(. :or folded
designs% you+ll also have to make sure that you are putting enough pressure to cut through the two layers.
d. Cut slowly and carefully% keeping the image of the design in mind< rest your eyes fre/uently by looking away at the
hori=on. Continue cutting out spaces% working towards the edge. Cut the outer edges of the design last of all% using the
scissors.
e. s you work% you may find it helpful to enclose the cutout portion with a >sleeve> &two pieces of paper taped together
at the edges(.
f. "f there are dots in the design% prick through the dots with the large pin.
g. Carefully remove the tape% open the cutting &if it is folded( and check for any uncut details.
h. Turn the cutting over so that any design markings which have not been cut out are on the underside.
i. $ress flat between the pages of a heavy book until you+re ready to anti/ue% color% or mount.
3. Antiquing or coloring (optional) - .our finished cutting is good for mounting as it is but you may also anti/ue or
color it if you prefer.
a. :or anti/uing% brew a strong coffee or tea% let it stand for a few hours and pour into a glass baking dish or plastic
container. !ip the cutting in the dish and drain on newspapers topped with paper towels. .ou may also blot &with a
clean rag or paper towel( or paint the cutting with the coffee or tea. .ou may use several dippings or blottings but make
sure to let the cutting dry between applications. 0ake sure your cutting is completely dry before lettering and mounting.
b. "f you are making more than one cutting% make the most of your coffee or tea stain by staining all your cuttings at the
same time.
c. .ou may also color your cutting using watercolor% colored pencil or waterbased markers.
4. Lettering'
a. "f you intend to letter your cutting% do so after anti/uing or coloring and before mounting the cutting on the backing
paper.
b. favorite saying or meaningful /uotation can be added to portions of your papercutting and names% dates and other
certificate information can be used to personali=e your pro-ect. :or a new baby% make a papercutting which contains the
name% date and time of birth% weight% length and place of birth. :or a wedding or anniversary% make one with the
couple+s names% the date of the marriage and other meaningful information. simple papercutting% personali=ed with a
name makes a great gift.
c. There are various lettering styles which you can use for your papercutting. 1ven your own handwriting could be very
pleasing. Try using the lettering e,amples as a guide for your own lettering.
d. :irst write out your message or other information on graphing or ruled paper% using the lines as a guide to make even
letters. Take note of how much space you have in your papercutting and ad-ust your lettering si=e or message to fit
nicely into the space. 2ewrite the message until you are satisfied with the way it looks.
e. $osition your message under your cutting and lightly trace the lettering with a pencil unto your cutting. "f it is
difficult to trace% try taping the two pieces of paper against a sunny window. 0ake your final ad-ustments and ink over
the pencilled lettering using a fine nibbed calligraphy pen.
5. Mounting and Finishing-
a. Cut the backing paper to si=e &if you prefer a smaller si=e than the given(.
b. $osition your completely cut parchment design on the backing paper before applying any adhesive to it. 0ake sure
that the design markings are on the underside. 9olding one side of the cutting firmly with your hand% place tiny dots of
glue on the back of the free side of the cutting. $ress down on the glued side and repeat for the other side.
c. "f your cutting has a center fold% you may position it by putting marks on the center top and bottom of the backing
paper and with a ruler% aligning the center fold line with these marks.
. Fra!ing- "f you decide to frame your papercutting% choose a frame with glass to protect the cutting. 0any designs fit
standard picture frames. .ou may either leave a border of backing paper if you are using a bigger frame or you may
want to cut the backing paper to eliminate the border to fit a smaller frame.