Paper chains are popular decorative additions to any occasion, and are very simple and fun to make with the kids. There are a lot of pattern paper options available that can be cut and glued together.
An alternative and creative method that doesn’t require scissors and sticky tape is to make them with washi tapes! That’s right, you can also use those cute washi tapes for making paper chains too!
A staple of Japanese papercraft and artworks, from origami to painting, printmaking to cloth weaving, there are many, many varieties of washi paper, most of which are still being made today.
Washi (和紙) refers to any paper made from the inner bark of one of three plants – gampi tree, mitsumata shrub, or the paper mulberry bush, in the traditional style of Japanese paper-making, with Wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper. The process of making different types of washi paper depend heavily on manual artisans and craftspeople, as well as aspects like water temperature, various applications of chemicals to bleach and dye the paper, and, just as importantly, the availability and health of the plants used in the creation of these forms of paper, with paper mulberry bushes serving as the base ingredient in a large portion of washi papers.
Instructions to make washi tape paper chains
What you’ll need:
Just washi tapes! 🙂
Method:
Pull and tear a strip, approximately 20-30cm in length, of a washi tape roll.
Fold the strip down and stick it together, leaving out 1-2cm at the edge, as shown below.
Make a circular shape with the folded strip and stick the sticky edge down.
That’s it! Now you can continue making the rest of the paper chain…
When it comes to sticking the paper chain on the wall or another surface, you can use a piece of the same washi tape to stick it on.
