If you’re looking for an approachable way to make visually striking and totally frame-worthy original artwork, paper weaving — a fun update on the textile-weaving trend — just might be for you. Combine your favorite images with embellishments like ribbon, yarn, colored paper, magazine pages, or even your child’s artwork, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind statement piece to display in your home. It’s so easy even a kid could do it (just grab the safety scissors first!).
You will need:
- 2 photos of your choice, blown up and printed on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper
- Paper weaving templates
- Scissors
- 4 small binder clips
- Scotch tape
- Glue stick (not pictured)
- Optional: ribbon, yarn, colored paper or fabric
Download and print the paper weaving templates. You will also need to print two images of your choice on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper; I used some of my Instagram photos for this project, but you could also purchase and download digital images from sellers right here on Etsy. Make sure to size the images so that they fill the entire page.

Place the diagonal-line template on top of one of your photos and the vertical-line template on the other. Note: The white template borders should be on the top and left sides. Secure the templates to the photos using binder clips.
Following the lines of the diagonal template, cut through both the template and the image, making sure to stop cutting where the lines of the template end.
When you’ve finished cutting, remove the binder clips and set the image aside.
Next, cut along the lines of your vertical template and photo.
Tip: Keep the vertical strips in their original order as you cut through this second photo. (You should still be able to make out the image when you’re done.)
Now you’re ready to combine the two images. Starting from the left, grab one strip from the vertically cut image and guide it through the diagonally cut image using an “over-under” pattern.
Push the woven strip all the way to the left and make sure its top and bottom edges line up with those of the diagonally cut image. Then grab a second strip and weave it through using the opposite of the pattern you just used (so go “under-over” this time).
Continue weaving more paper strips, alternating between the over-under and under-over patterns. Feel free to add in other embellishments like fabric strips or colored paper, and keep going until your weaving is complete.
Once you’ve finished weaving, secure the layers with binder clips.
Next, flip the whole thing over and apply Scotch tape along the edges.
Trim excess paper with scissors, if needed.
Tip: For a more secure fit and cleaner edges, use glue stick to secure any loose ends.
Last but not least, add a frame to your new paper weaving and hang it in your home or office.
180 comments
Brian McNamara from rarebeasts said 5 years ago
Looks awesome.
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
How fun!!!!
Sandra CS from MurMurBows said 5 years ago
That is a great idea!... I wonder if i can do the same with fabric, maybe the edges will shred... I have to try it! :)
Cecilia from Mimok said 5 years ago
Awesome!
T. Rielvez from SiamesaProject said 5 years ago
Beautiful idea :D
ACR from WoodsyWools said 5 years ago
What a cool project !!
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 5 years ago
This makes a really unique piece, I'm going to try it :-)
Avis Carty from AvesAttic said 5 years ago
How amazing is that! I can't wait to try it. Thanks a bunch!
nlbgrammy from Qt2t said 5 years ago
Very fun:)
Justin and Lauren Dick from MainspringVintage said 5 years ago
The photos you chose look wonderful together! Great project!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Love this, so cool! I love the unexpected visual effect, really amazing!
Jen Root from SheepyShoes said 5 years ago
I think my daughter will want to do this over the summer! Thanks for the fun idea, hadn't seen that before.
Yael Berger from TheJoyofColor said 5 years ago
Great :) thanks for this wonderful simple idea
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Pretty neat!!!
Amy Gunderson from amysfunkyfibers said 5 years ago
So pretty and fresh! Looks like a neat craft for kids too!
carlotta tilli from SummerInItaly said 5 years ago
Very nice idea :) I try this :)
Ana from artsyana said 5 years ago
I will do this but I want even more patterns in the photos I will use photoshop and create a funky pattern collage.Can't wait.
Alice Johnson from PipingHotPapers said 5 years ago
Very cool.
Craig Neukirch from Turns2art said 5 years ago
I'm forever amazed at the cool things people come up with!
Abby from SweetBloomCA said 5 years ago
What a neat idea! And the finished product looks way more complicated than it actually is. Very cool!
maggie pompom from maggiepompom said 5 years ago
amazing idea!
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 5 years ago
Looks like fun!
Sayo from SARUSTAR said 5 years ago
What a cute idea! Definitely going to try this soon. :D
Bren from bstudio said 5 years ago
Neat idea!
Linda Foerster from HollyCreekHome said 5 years ago
I've always wanted to try this - now I will!!! Thanks!
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 5 years ago
Amazing! Thanks.
Sara said 5 years ago
This is a great idea! thank you. :)
Wirat J. from SkylaBoutique said 5 years ago
This really brings me back a fond memory of craft class I used to take....we applied this similar technique to make a hand fan.:)
NeatoKeen from NeatoKeen said 5 years ago
This is cool! It would be awesome to make a triptych too. Have copies of the original uncut versions on either side of the paper weaving. Thanks for a fun craft that even I might be able to tackle :)
Elizabeth Knaus from FreshRetroGallery said 5 years ago
Weaving is on my "art to do" list. Thanks for the inspiration.
mary from QueenofCuffs said 5 years ago
Ohh now I have another 'must try' thing !! I have done this with fabric I eco dyed - but paper -mmmm nice !!
Michelle Cleek O'Hollaren from sophisticatedpup said 5 years ago
I used to do something similar with students when I was an elementary art teacher. Great project to do with kids!
lizzy from mybubbala said 5 years ago
Great idea for a Mother's Day gift, digging through old family photos, making a collage and then weaving with maybe a solid color, thanks! next project with the kiddos...
Marijana Fraska from ArmellaMeaJewelry said 5 years ago
Great idea!
Aristocrafts from Aristocrafts said 5 years ago
How simple and great! Thanks for sharing!
Christina from TheWildPlum said 5 years ago
Simple and fun! The kid in me wants to create! Thank you!
5erg from 5erg said 5 years ago
It's great that the idea is simple, but the result is beautiful!
Sonja Bikić from DeepSilence said 5 years ago
interesting
Justyna from JumpingSkyDiy said 5 years ago
Simplicity is beautiful! :)
Oleksandr Bondarchuk from bondceramics said 5 years ago
VERY NICE!
Zygopsyche from Fuzziggles said 5 years ago
fun project!
June from isewcute said 5 years ago
This would be a fun project to do with my kids! Thanks for sharing!
Erin from Revendeur said 5 years ago
That is so cool! Thank you so much for showing us how to do it!
PSOGLAVKA KLARA from PSOGLAVKA said 5 years ago
waww
Diahann Mangoni from ClayMeADream said 5 years ago
very cool idea!!!
Amber from BambuEarth said 5 years ago
This is so cool!!! ♥︎♥︎♥︎ Such a fun idea!
MYJ from MYJsGallery said 5 years ago
CooooooL and lovely idea :D
Paula Mucha from ilPiccoloGiardino said 5 years ago
Very clever, never heard of this, love it!
Cinne Worthington from CBanningAccessories said 5 years ago
Wonderful!!!
Rachael Winkley from salvagedstudiomke said 5 years ago
Love it and definitely need to give it a try - perfect way to use some of my scrap map and other papers I have from other projects!
Lotte Kooijman from paperblooming said 5 years ago
I love this idea!
Sandrine from SMboutique said 5 years ago
What an awesome creative project!!! I love it thanks for sharing :) x
Jeannette Perez from JPerezArt said 5 years ago
Nice project. Thanks for sharing!
Wine Charmers and More from winecharmsandmore said 5 years ago
Love this project!!!! Fun!!!!!!! :)
Kay from LakeBreezeVintage said 5 years ago
How cool is that! Thanks for sharing!
Tina and Chris Pfeiffer from ninedoorsvintage said 5 years ago
So clever...I'm going to try this one, thank you!
Elizabeth Ellenor from ElizabethEllenor said 5 years ago
Very cool! Love the end result.
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
Beautiful and simple project. Thanks for sharing.
TwoLittleAnts from TwoLittleAnts said 5 years ago
Gorgeous !
URBNWOOD from URBNWOOD said 5 years ago
Lovely things!
Sarig Meeti from staynestsgoy said 5 years ago
its awesome
Tryntsje from HandmadeHandsome said 5 years ago
That's lovely.
Emma from EmmaSHandmadeJewelry said 5 years ago
great idea !!
Ruth Petersen from MabliJack said 5 years ago
Fantastic. An impressive result from a simple technique.
Megan from 645workshop said 5 years ago
Simple. Beautiful.
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 5 years ago
I love the patchwork effect - very decorative - thank you for sharing :o)
Aga from AgasJourney said 5 years ago
Nice and inspiring! Thank you for sharing!
Marlous P from Lousje said 5 years ago
Awesome!!! Great idea!!
MIkyong Rodgers from smkbo said 5 years ago
So creative!
Jana from tangledPen said 5 years ago
always nice to see old techniques being used again - it looks so pretty!
Vera Noritsa from CobraQueensGift said 5 years ago
Creative idea!!
Diana Tinelli from DianasDecor said 5 years ago
So creative and looks like so much fun. I can think of so many different pictures I could possibly put together. And with the instructions it actually doesn't look difficult at all! Love this idea.
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 5 years ago
Fabulous project!
De Faria from DeFariaStudio said 5 years ago
Creative and looks really beautiful.
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
Interesting project idea. Paper weaving seems like a fun project for any age. Thank you.
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 5 years ago
What a creative idea! Very inspiring. Congratulations!!
Ketki Fadnis from KetkiFadnis said 5 years ago
Great Idea ! Thanks !
Asma from AsmaOriginal said 5 years ago
Love the idea!
Sumi from GypsySurfCamp said 5 years ago
Sparks the imagination!
Nan Bennett from HandStampedJewelry55 said 5 years ago
Nice! would like to try:-)
Georgia Bazakou from Giahandmade said 5 years ago
Ευχαριστώ για την υπέροχη ιδέα
Katie Anne from MiddleCoast said 5 years ago
Very neat idea! I'll have to try this with my students :)
Pepitas House from PepitasStudio said 5 years ago
Lovely how the two designs find the perfect marriage
Fernando Eizaguirre from EizaArt said 5 years ago
Can't wait to try this thanks for posting!!!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 5 years ago
This is a very interesting concept. I just wish that you could see more of the feet in the sand effect.
Vanessa from PetiteCo said 5 years ago
love it :) the combination possibilities are endless!
AMSkrafts from AMSkrafts said 5 years ago
This is such a great idea, especially since you can change the results in so many ways, using different pictures, mediums, etc. Thank you for sharing, we'll try this out soon!
Gwynne Collins from DaysLongGone said 5 years ago
Beautiful! Love this idea!
Gaby Martinez Almaguer from gabeadz said 5 years ago
OMG...this is amazing......Love this idea.....very simple and the final result is awesome.....thank you for this posting :D
Nicole from KarmaCodeOne said 5 years ago
So creative ~ what a thoughtful and personalized gift it would make !
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 5 years ago
Awesome!
Purvi Desai from Zaaina said 5 years ago
how creative. I can't wait to try with my girls pictures to see how it turns out.
Anastasia from LAccentNou said 5 years ago
Wow! That's totally cool!
Trang Dai from TDNCreations said 5 years ago
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
little Lia from LittleLiaGraphic said 5 years ago
wow, simple yet gorgeous idea, thank you for sharing!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 5 years ago
Such a great idea..love it!!
Kalisa L. from MuchandQuick said 5 years ago
What a clever idea! It would be fun trying to find two pictures that will weave together in an interesting way.
Dawn Niedetzki from Ten22CraftBoutique said 5 years ago
I agree with Kalisa, this is such a clever idea! I will have to try this out with the kids!!
Toad Hollow from ToadHollowNJ said 5 years ago
This is great and will be a great community workshop idea.
Fishcouple from fishcouple said 5 years ago
Nice! Love it. Gotta try it someday! Thanks for sharing!
Tasos from TACEHandmade said 5 years ago
Lovely!!!! :-)
Nisa from ArtandAroma said 5 years ago
Beautiful! will try with my kids.
Susanne Major from LineaLina said 5 years ago
Amazing! Never thought of weaving like this. Love it!
Firefly Home Decor from Fireflyhomedecor said 5 years ago
Beautiful idea...!!!!
PSOGLAVKA KLARA from PSOGLAVKA said 5 years ago
LOVE..=)
Life Cycle Print from LifeCyclePrint said 5 years ago
Like!!!
Kerime Sevilen Mustafaoglu from ASHYL said 5 years ago
Creative!
Heather Hibbs from TreadleTreasures said 5 years ago
Great project. With a little creativity there is no end to the possible end results. They could be laminated and turned into place mats. Recycle greeting cards to make new ones. After the weaving is complete the entire back could be secured and then the whole thing cut into a shape. My mind is swirling with ideas! Thanks!!!
MumsCupboard from myclectic said 5 years ago
So simple, yet very pretty. This would make great wrapping paper. Love it
splendorlocity from splendorlocity said 5 years ago
Lovely! Very Nice!
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat said 5 years ago
OMG I remember doing this with my mother when I was no more than 6 or 7, I love that these ideas come up again & again for new generations to enjoy!
Peggy from makeroom4greta said 5 years ago
This is too cool, and looks like fun! My daughter would love this.
Dayna Dyer from SparklyTwig said 5 years ago
This is such a great idea!
lucasilks from LucaSilks said 5 years ago
This is a beautiful idea , thanks :)
Alina Jelvez from AlinaJelvezFineArt said 5 years ago
What a great idea, Thanks!
Mary Foster from MaryFosterCreative said 5 years ago
This is a fun idea for recycling my test prints and misprints. Thanks!
AHMBaskets from AHMBaskets said 5 years ago
This is perfect to do with the art projects the little ones bring home from school...
Ann Isik from AnnIsikArts said 5 years ago
Great idea, Clare. It's another twist on something similar I was doing a while back. Instead of chucking them out, I took some interesting pages out of some old art magazines and fed them through my little shredding machine, then wove the shredded strips together again (jumbled up). I mounted squares of them on hard card and then coated them with encaustic wax (pure beeswax would be good too) and burnished them with a soft cloth. I like your diagonal approach. Thanks for sharing. :)
MyChouchou from MyChouChou said 5 years ago
what a fun idea! looks great : )
Soula from craftysou said 5 years ago
wonderful idea!
June Holbrook from MomsTreasures said 5 years ago
Awesome!!
Monica Yope from PopCraftExchange said 5 years ago
Can't wait to try this!
Jenette Robert from OverTheMoonBridal said 5 years ago
This looks fun!
Kimberly Bunting from BlinkingEyes said 5 years ago
What a simple way to create something beautiful! Thanks Etsy.
Marc Gounard from marcgounard said 5 years ago
Thanks, good to reuse old photos and magazine pages.
Barb Bronstein from BBesigns said 5 years ago
What a fun idea I would like to try this using my handmade papers with photos
Laura Prill from lauraprillabstract said 5 years ago
Paper weavings have fascinated me for several years now which is why I feature them in my shop. They are a terrific creative outlet and a unique way to personalize your space.
Sara Ermisch from LeosLovelyTreasures said 5 years ago
LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing! :)
Mira Guerquin from MiraGuerquin said 5 years ago
Awesome! Great idea!!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 5 years ago
Another awesome idea for the "Etsy Creative" bookmarks folder! Love it! Thank you so much for sharing, Clare. This reminds me of something I did back in elementary school which made a fish photography look normal and then as you slide the paper, it looked in bones.
Virginie Lykins from rolanddesigns said 5 years ago
Looks like fun !
Julie D from JulsOfParadise2 said 5 years ago
Very cool project I need to try! I just got a handy dandy paper cutter that might work nicely!! Thx for the idea!
Katie from efflorescentmetals said 5 years ago
Very crafty, thanks for sharing!
FrenchPaperMoon Gelman from FrenchPaperMoon said 5 years ago
Love it- ty for sharing.
Valeria Coppola from VertigoNorthPole said 5 years ago
Awesome! Great Idea!
Krupa Chirravoori from CopperByCroopa said 5 years ago
And what if I tried making paper-woven earrings? :P
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 5 years ago
Cool, the final image is interesting!
Karina Soboleva from SobolevaArt said 5 years ago
everything is very simple and tasteful! Thanks!
Ynovas from Ynovas said 5 years ago
its awesome. thanks for sharing!
Poppy Mae from ohsopoppy said 5 years ago
This is so cute and fun! Thanks for the tutorial!
RockyMountainMajesty from RockyMountainMajesty said 5 years ago
Could really have fun with this. Could do in specific color pallets, etc... :)
crochety123 said 5 years ago
I am collecting ideas for my granddaughter to do on cold and long winter evenings. This will be a favourite one, I am certain! Thank you!
Manon from ByLef said 5 years ago
Looks like a great fun thing to do soon!! Thanks for the colourful inspiration <3
Elena Anufrieva from RivuletPhotography said 5 years ago
So cool! Very intresting effect!! Thank you so much for sharing *:)
Joanne Dohr from Dogdohr said 5 years ago
Definitely need to try this!
teestrend from Trend2Tees said 5 years ago
Cool piece of cool ART! Nice
Pilar and Carmen from ElpatiodeFranky said 5 years ago
That's amazing!! Really original and beautiful! A perfect unique decoration! thanks for sharing!
Evgeniya from RainbowHappiness said 5 years ago
Thank you !!! Very neat.
Sarah Wilson from thesexyknitter said 5 years ago
Super cute - I would never have thought to do this!
Deirdre K. from GlittersandBows said 5 years ago
I love Etsy and their Craft Parties :)
Dilani SK from Especially4UHandmade said 5 years ago
Love this kind of work.....I will try it on my art works....Thanks !
york yang from artbyyork said 5 years ago
wonderful idea!
Patricia O'Neal from JanesLoves said 5 years ago
I hadn't seen the diagonal cut before, makes for a different completed design. Might make a pretty mat for around a picture? I know I'll have to try it, I can never resist trying something new.
krysialisia from PreppyCreations said 5 years ago
Great idea!
allwood1 from AllWoodToo said 5 years ago
I have never seen this done before...Awesome!
Devmukti jewels from DevmuktiJewels said 5 years ago
Hello Clare McGibbon, so cool! I love the unexpected visual effect. Best wishes for continued success!
tawich sompi from salebigone said 5 years ago
WoW !! Very good idea
Heather from HeatherHolidays said 5 years ago
I totally love how you could take your favorite memory's and put them into this secret ART!!!! Oxox You have given new life to a childhood favorite!
Denise Bellinger from MyGoodVibes said 5 years ago
All I can say is..... This is so cool!
Marsha from wrensroost said 5 years ago
Fabulous fun idea!
Krasi Kids Art from gingerkidsart said 5 years ago
Great idea! This makes a really unique image. Best luck!
Rosa Recuay Arbizu from BabyHatsShoesandMore said 5 years ago
What a wonderful idea!!!
경민 전 from DTOMATO said 5 years ago
it's cool~!!
Piktograffer Manufacture from Piktograffer said 5 years ago
This is great! Now I know how to use properly my failed prints! I hate to waste paper so I keep it, but now I see I can recycle it in more CREATIVE way! :) :) :)
Toni from Colorantics said 5 years ago
Great idea!
Milka from PrintMilkaFun said 5 years ago
unusual, looks great!
C Choi from BubbleFestival said 5 years ago
Love it!
Dawn M Teasdale from DawnMTeasdale said 5 years ago
really nice!
Marta Sofia Abreu Garcês from TigerCatStudio said 5 years ago
Uuuhh.... cool!
Mirela Lace Wedding from Laremi said 5 years ago
Amazing idea!
Mayank Dhanotiya said 5 years ago
How cool is that! Thanks for sharing!
kerekpar en from Redlili said 5 years ago
wow-i love it!!!! thanks for sharing
Blake from Love4paintings said 5 years ago
interesting
DesignbyErdenesuren from FeelingCute said 5 years ago
Can't wait!
CeciliaForDance from CeciliaForDance said 5 years ago
Looking forward to my FIRST Etsy Craft Party under the Manhattan Bridge Archway! See you guys there!
RILEY LORD from IRISHTREASURE said 5 years ago
lovely work
annemariesimons from annemariesimons said 4 years ago
Great idea, will try this at school next year!
AMSkrafts from AMSkrafts said 4 years ago
S of AMSkrafts is a paper crafter, and this paper weaving project looks both simple and beautiful! And to frame the finished product, it would look great as a desk frame or on the wall. Thank you for sharing!
Valentina . from Exclusive72 said 4 years ago
Awesome. Great picks!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
looks really great!!!