Use
this simple technique to add pattern to white tissue paper and paper towels
which can be used in collages and wrapping packages. Use dyed rice paper
for covering books, boxes and even metal containers.
Materials
- Absorbent paper--white
tissue wrapping paper (20" x 30" sheets can be bought in packages),
paper towels, paper doilies, paper bags or rice paper which is thick
and sturdy but more expensive than the others.
- Food coloring--a
set of assorted colors will dye about 12 sheets of tissue paper
- Containers to hold
dyes--any plastic or glass container with low sides that will hold a
4"x3" paper packet
- Paper towels for
blotting wet paper packets
Optional
tools: rubber gloves, tweezers or food tongs to handle dyed packets; brushes
to touch up rough spots and add color to dull patterns; magic markers
to draw designs on dull areas; stamps and stickers to add to the design
and bull dog clips to put on folded patterns before dyeing to add texture
to the pattern.
How to Fold and
Dye the Paper
There are several ways to fold and dip paper to create different patterns:
- Free style--good
for beginners
First experiment with paper towels which absorb dye quickly. The following
techniques apply to any type of paper you use. Fold in quarters, triangles
or randomly and dip corners into different colors.
- Basic folds--how
to do them
Fold the paper in half horizontally or vertically. Then fold it into
accordion pleats until it forms one strip. Fold the pleated strip into
squares, rectangles, or triangles. See diagrams 1-3. Alternatively,
diagonal stripes may be made by folding either a square or rectangular
paper in half and then folding accordion pleats diagonally. Next, take
the folded, pleated strip and bend it into squares or rectangles. See
diagrams 4-6. For more texture, clip bulldog clips along the folded
edges before dipping paper packet into the dye.
- How to dye paper
Dip
any corner of the packet into one color of dye. When the color has spread
as far as you want, take a paper towel and blot the area. Press out
more water out by placing the sample in a clean paper towel, then put
it between newspaper pieces on the floor and step on it. Dip the packet
into the second color and let the new color seep into the first or allow
white areas to remain between them. Repeat the pressing and blotting
after each successive dip. Place the unfolded bundle on newspaper to
dry. Be careful when handling wet paper as it tears easily, especially
tissue paper. When paper is dry, unfold the packet. When the design
is dry, remove any bulldog clips and, if necessary, press the paper
with a cool iron.
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