Hip Paper Weaving

About three years ago, I wrote this post on my old blog and I thought I would revamp it a bit and share it with you. I created this hip paper weaving project to help my then 3 year old son with his coordination skills. He was in first year Montessori at the time and I knew a project like this was just up his alley.  Since it was also around Christmas time, we had a ton of old wrapping paper, and ribbon to recycle. My little secret to making this project a bit more interesting was to add washi tape over each piece of the warp (the vertical lines). Overall, weaving is a great activity for kids to focus on fine motor skills, and gain a basic understanding of how clothes are woven.

This is also a great craft to make together with your child.  It takes a little bit of prep work, but the results are quite stunning!

Materials

12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper (any color)

Kid’s Made Modern Paper Tape (found at Target) You can also use any other washi tape or even duct tape.

strips of old wrapping paper cut 1/2″ thick

pipe cleaners

yarn

ribbon

hot glue gun 

utility knife

When looking at any sort of weaving project, the first thing to explain to any child is the difference between “the weft” (horizontal lines) and “the warp” (the vertical lines).  You will be making the warp first and your child will be weaving in the weft.  Confusing right?  It makes sense once you get started.

1.  Take your 12″x 12″ scrapbook paper or cardstock and measure out lines 3/4″ apart.  Leave 1/2″ at the top and bottom of the page.

2. Take your utility knife and cut into the lines.  Make sure you start to cut 1/2″ from the top and stop 1/2″ from the bottom. Your warp should look like the photo below.

3. Adhere various strips of paper tape,washi tape, or duct tape over each piece of the warp.

4. Have your child begin to create the weft by weaving into the warp.  It’s important to emphasize that they need to go “over and under” each piece.  They will also need help understanding how to start the second row.  If they began the first row under the warp, now they need to begin the second row over the warp. 

5. Add as many interesting materials as possible to create the weft.  We used ribbon, yarn, old wrapping paper, pipe cleaners, etc.  Use your imagination.  Once the weft is complete, take a dab of hot glue to adhere the ends to the warp.  Trim any loose edges and pop into a cool frame. 

The Results

We made this project three years ago, when my son was 3.5.  Even at such a young age he was capable of grasping the basic concept of paper weaving.  This is definitely a project to do with your child and help guide them.  Choose fun materials that inspire you.  I really love the twist of adding different pieces washi tape on the weft making the hip paper weaving colorful and vibrant.  Have you ever tried paper weaving with your children?  

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