How to Learn Parchment Craft

Parchment craft dates back to 15th century Europe. It uses special tools to perforate, cut and emboss heavy parchment to produce lacy designs. Often these designs are inked or colored to finish them. Embossing parchment involves pressing a blunt stylus into the parchment to make a dent, while perforating involves making many small holes to produce a design. Parchment craft designs can be simple or complicated. These designs can be used to decorate cards, invitations, lamp shades and almost anything that can be made from paper.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Parchment craft instruction book

Parchment paper with and without grids

Parchment pattern

Perforating tool

Fine-tipped embossing tool

Cutting tool

Embossing pad

Step 1

Find an instruction manual on parchment craft. Look through several books and find one with step-by-step instructions with diagrams. It should also have projects ranging from easy to hard, pictures and lists of tools and instructions to use each one.

Step 2

Practice using each parchment craft tool on a scrap piece of parchment. Place the parchment on the embossing pad. Make small patterns with each tool and technique, then try combining the techniques to make more small patterns.

Step 3

Become comfortable using the tools. Choose a parchment craft pattern for beginners. Place parchment paper with a grid on the embossing pad and follow the book's instructions.

Step 4

Once you are comfortable with using just the tools, begin using embossing ink, paint or colored pencils to embellish your art.

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