Simple Hand-Made Books
Example of Student Paper Cut . . .
Objective: Students will construct a simple "butterfly" book and create a cut Asian design for the cover.
Materials:
Colored Paper 7"x 9"
(6 per sheet of 18x24)
White Drawing Paper 4"x 24"
Ruler
Pencil
White glue or glue stick
Breakaway utility knife
Cardboard or thick stack of newspaper
Chinese paper cuts
Procedure:
- Divide the white paper (6"x 24") into 4" divisions, fold fan style.
- Fold 7"x 9" colored paper in half to form 4 1/2" x 7" book cover.
- Draw the reverse side of the front cover, the image you want to show on the right side. Be conscious of shapes to be cut later. The image must be a composite of shapes rather than lines with periodic breaks to connect delicate design areas
- Cut small shapes leaving "bridges" to hold total design together. Hint: If your knife slips and cuts trough a bridge, put tape on back and carefully cut again.
- Glue in pages as shown. Be sure to only glue the outside edges.
- Use the inside of the book for calligraphy, to draw, write poetry, display block prints (See lessons on EZ-cut or styrofoam printing).
