We had to have a go at making some beautiful Mexican decorations, and we were so pleased with the results that we’ve put together a make papel picado video tutorial to show you how!
How to make your own DIY papel picado for parties or fiestas at home!
We made ours using 3 papel picado templates and crepe paper in lovely, vibrant colors. We found it much easier to handle than tissue paper. It also means that your papel picado last longer so you can use them again next year!
We used them to complement our Day of the Dead party printable kit. We loved using the crepe paper. We decided to try and make a classic mexican folk art, beautiful paper flowers.
Papel picado means ‘punched’ or ‘perforated’ paper, and traditionally papel picado are made from colored tissue paper and cut using chisels. Papel picado garlands are traditionally used to decorate the streets and ofrendas during the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival in Mexico.
How to make papel picado: Photo Tutorial:
Making your own papel picado is easy. Follow these simple step by step photo instructions below. Watch the video tutorial above or on on our Happythought youtube channel (more videos and papel picados ideas at the bottom of this post).
You will need:
• Crepe paper in at least 3 colors.
• Scissors
• Masking tape (colored if available)
• Happythought Papel Picado Pattern templates (2 copies of each pattern)
INSTRUCTIONS: There are 3 basic stages in the making of the paper picado
1. PREPARATION
First, cut your crepe paper down into ‘letter’ size sheets.
Next, fold your printed template down the middle (along the dotted line) with the instructions on the outside. Using 4 sheets at a time, fold the crepe paper in half and assemble a ‘book’ with the template sheet as the cover.
Secure the top of your book with a little masking tape. This is to stop the crepe paper slipping when you are cutting out the shapes.
2. CUTTING OUT THE ASSEMBLED SHEETS
You’re now ready to start cutting out your papel picado!
We prefer using scissors to do this as they’re easier to handle. Especially a little safer if you have any little helpers.
Like making paper snowflakes, carefully cut out all the shapes on the interior of the template.
Folding again when necessary (as shown) to access the ‘interior’ shapes. Then follow the template guide to cut around the edges. When you’ve finished cutting, remove the masking tape from the top. Flatten out your book and remove the template cover. Be careful when separating the sheets of crepe paper as they can be quite fragile.
Repeat this process with another 4 sheets of crepe paper and the second template sheet. Once you have made 3 or four sets of papels, you are ready to create your garland!
3. STRINGING UP THE PAPEL PICADO WITH MASKING TAPE
Unroll a length of masking tape and lay it out on a flat surface with the sticky side facing up. Carefully place the papels face down on the tape in alternate colours. The tops of the papels should only cover half of the width of the masking tape.
Next, fold the tape over to create your garland as shown. To keep things simple, we recommend sticking no more than 5 or 6 at a time. To make a really long garland you can easily stick two lengths together with a little more masking tape.
An alternative method to stringing your garland is to make a fold approx. 3cm from the top of your papel picados. Lay a length of ribbon along the groove of the fold and turn the flap over the ribbon. Secure with a glue stick or a little sticky tape.
So, what do you think? Not too tricky, right? Remember too, if you store your papel picado carefully you can use them over and over.
Click here to download your papel picado templates, only free to Happythought members!
Buy these fantastic papel picado template designs (12 patterns)
The high quality papel picado designs include a traditional rectangular papel picado garland, butterfly pdf design, calavera sugar skull, mini flags, birds and hearts plus mini papel picado garland templates. Available in the Dia de los Muertos printables and decorations kit.
Happythought CraftClub
Joining Happythought membership will also get you exclusive access to the ever growing CraftClub library. Packed with over 100s of free templates, craft ideas and activity worksheets. Plus 50% off of all our Day of the Dead printable templates.
More El Dia de los Muertos templates to download
We also have plenty of craft activities, ideas and printables in our Day of the Dead craft activity pack. Make a Milagro heart ornament, Learn a bit about Day of the Dead worksheets for class, color in calavera mask activity, nicho craft template and a paper flower crown for Ele Dia de los Muertos.
We hope you enjoyed our papel picado tutorial! If so, please give us a little love; by liking us on facebook, pinning us on pinterest or following us on twitter. Thank you!
