Beginner's Guide to Kirigami: 24 Skill-Building Projects for the Absolute Beginner

PREFACE

When my publisher suggested I do a book on kirigami, I literally jumped for joy! It’s everything I love – beautiful papers, cutting and folding – sprinkled with a generous dose of Japanese inspiration. I couldn’t wait to get started on some new creations . . .

But what exactly is kirigami?

Kirigami, from kiru, to cut, and gami, paper, is inspired by one of China’s oldest traditions, jian zhi, the art of paper cutting. Once reserved for the religious elite for use in rituals, it gradually spread to all levels of society. Jian zhi is still practiced during the Chinese Springtime Festival and New Year celebrations.

Jian zhi eventually made its way to the shores of Japan, where it was enriched by the paper-folding art of origami and evolved into what we now call kirigami.

A new dimension unfolded quite unexpectedly while I was working on my models. As I quietly cut and folded, I became very centered. I felt as though I were taking a quiet stroll down a path that soothed my spirit. It was an interior journey very much like meditation, an opportunity to breathe in a turbulent world.

It is this same Japanese-inspired creative journey that I invite you to experience as you make your way through this book and discover the marvelous art of kirigami.

Breathe, and be inspired by the papers of the Far East . . .

Ghylenn

ghylenndescamps.com

For a printable PDF of the patterns used in this book, please contact Fox Chapel Publishing at [email protected], quoting the ISBN and title of this book, as well as the pattern or patterns required.

BASIC MATERIALS

Kirigami is a technique that requires only a few basic materials to start: paper, a cutter, and a cutting mat. There are more tools that will make it easier to perfect your skills. Investing in quality materials will help you acquire precision and speed, feel more relaxed, produce work of higher quality, and enjoy the experience so much more!

Here is a list of the materials used to make the projects in this book:

•Scalpel, aka craft knife (X-acto®-style tool with removable blades), and replacement blades

•Cutter, aka utility knife, and replacement blades

•Silhouette scissors (small scissors with thin blades and pointy tips)

•Scissors

•Metal ruler to guide cutter for straight cuts

•Cutting mat

•Paper-folding tool, aka bone folder, made from bone or plastic, for sharp creases

•Embossing stylus for scoring paper before folding

•Masking tape for securing the pattern to the paper to be cut without damaging it

•Glue gel that won’t wrinkle paper

•Repositionable spray adhesive

•Permanent spray adhesive

•HB pencil or mechanical pencil

•Clean pencil eraser

•Printer

•Photocopier

Although the following tools are not essential, they will make the work easier:

•White pencil for tracing on dark paper

•Compass

•Compass circle cutter

•Hole punch

•Eyelet punch for making small, uniform holes

•Tweezers for gently removing cutout pieces of paper

And for pleasure :

•Decorative-edge scissors for making original cutouts and edges

•Disc cutter with punches in assorted shapes

•Sewing or tapestry needles for making very small holes

ABOUT THE PAPER

Paper is the essential element in kirigami! There is a variety of beautiful decorative papers that are sure to inspire you. It’s important to choose the right paper, however, because not all of them are easy to cut. The wrong paper can make the work difficult and your project a disaster!

A few tips for choosing paper

The best paper to start out with is plain, smooth paper with a weight of 120 to 160 g. This type of paper is ideal for kirigami because it holds up well, is easy to cut, and comes in a wide variety of colors. It can also be used in a printer, which simplifies reproducing a pattern.

For models that need sufficient