Mexican Papercutting: Simple Techniques for Creating Colorful Cut-Paper Projects [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Kathleen Trenchard (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Cut-paper craft is practiced in many countries and has a common technique with regional variations in design. In Mexico it dates back to pre-Columbian times and is passed from generation to generation in family workshops. Trenchard summarizes the history and use of cut paper in Mexico and continues with projects including banners, luminarias (paper bag candle holders), masks, and an elaborate window curtain. The designs are less complex than the German cut-paper designs found in Susanne Schlapfer-Geiser's Scherenschnitte (LJ 6/15/97), with many being similar to familiar cut-paper snowflakes. Suitable for both craft and folk-art collections.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
A collection of 20 projects which introduce Mexican papercutting to general craftspeople. The history and origins of the activity are also explained, and illustrations of Mexican work are provided.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; 1st edition (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579900119
• ISBN-13: 978-1579900113
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,052 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, January 10, 2000

By A Customer

I have other books on paper cutting, but this book is different from the rest for two reasons. First, in addition to the more usual scissors and craft knives, it demonstrates the use of chisels, in a variety of sizes and shapes, for cutting paper. The second difference is that the projects in this book are not only decorative but practical. For example, using the pattern for a cut paper curtain in this book, I was able to transform a large window in my kitchen from an eyesore to a light show. On a sunny day, the sun comes through the holes in the "curtain" and throws flower shapes on the cabinets and furniture. As the sun moves across the sky, the flowers appear to "bloom". The whole project took about two or three hours from start to finish.

I thought the curtain was a fairly easy project. There are other projects that seem a lot more complicated. To use this book, be prepared to do a fair amount of reading and re-reading to make sure you understand each step. There are helpful photo demonstrations for some of the projects.

One other point: I found it difficult to use craft knives and scissors to reproduce these designs, especially designs with many folds, but it was incredibly easy to achieve authentically "Mexican"-looking results by punching the designs into the paper using wood chisels. This is because many of the designs just repeat the same cut shapes over and over again. But a good chisel is expensive, and too dangerous for kids to use.

You can also invent your own projects. My favorite source for decorative flower patterns that can be adapted to cut paperwork is Linda Parry's book on William Morris. If I could only have one book on paper cutting, this is the one I would want.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great ideas that can be simplified for use in the classroom., December 12, 1998

By A Customer

As a Spanish teacher, this book is a great reference for papel picado. The pictures are beautiful and in some cases awe inspiring. While the projects in this book are somewhat complex, I had no trouble simplifying them for use in the classroom. We now have several colorful strings of picados adorning the walls of our classroom for all to enjoy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a wonderful introduction to papel picado., August 28, 1998

By A Customer

Kathleen Trenchard really knows her stuff when it comes to Mexican papel picado. Her book is a marvelous collection of designs, history, explanation, and do-it-yourself ideas to make these paper decorations. One-of-a-kind!