Weave paper by passing a loose strip over one strip in a cut base sheet and under the next. On the following row, reverse that order. Keep the rows close together without pulling the paper tight, then secure the loose ends. Two contrasting colors make the pattern easiest to see while learning.
Understand the two sets of strips
The attached strips in the base sheet form the warp. The separate strips you pass across them form the weft. You do not need a wooden loom for this project: the uncut borders of the base sheet hold its strips in place. Keep those borders intact while preparing the paper.
Gather two colors of paper, scissors, a ruler, a pencil and a glue stick. Ordinary craft paper or copy paper works for a first sample. Very thin paper can tear at the ends of the slits, while very thick card is harder to bend over and under. An adult can prepare the cuts for younger crafters.
Prepare a base with an uncut border
Start with a rectangular sheet and mark parallel slits about ½ inch apart. Leave an uncut border of about 1 inch at both ends of the slits. Cut your loose weaving strips about ½ inch wide, long enough to cross the base.
An easy way to cut enclosed slits is to fold the base in half across the future slit lengths. Cut from the folded edge toward the marked stopping line, without reaching the opposite edge. Unfold it to reveal the parallel openings and flatten the center crease. Keep the two side edges intact as well.
Check every cut before weaving. If you accidentally cut through an outer border, repair that spot from the back with a small piece of tape or prepare another base. A badly torn base will become harder to handle as more strips are added.
Weave the first row over and under
Take one loose strip and guide it across the base, passing over the first attached strip, under the next and continuing that alternating sequence. Lift each section gently rather than pushing hard on the leading tip. If the strip catches, back it out a little and find the correct opening.
Once the strip crosses the sheet, slide it toward one uncut end border. Leave the loose ends extending past the sides until the placement is settled. Keep the base flat on the table so you can see whether the strip has missed a crossing.
Reverse the next row
Start the second loose strip under the first attached strip, then over the next. This is the opposite of the first row. Continue alternating across, then slide the row close to the first without buckling it. The two rows should show a checkerboard rather than identical vertical columns of color.
MassArt Art Museum’s paper-weaving activity demonstrates alternating over-under rows and adjusting the strips together. Continue with the same simple pattern until you are comfortable identifying each crossing.
Keep the rows square as you continue
Pause after a few strips and check both side edges. The rows should run parallel to the end border, and the base strips should not be pulled diagonally. Adjust a crooked row by moving its ends gently rather than tugging on one corner. If the paper bows upward, ease the tension and spread the rows slightly.
Small gaps are easier to correct while only a few rows are in place. Push each row evenly along its length. Do not jam the final strip into a space that is too narrow; leave a small margin or cut a narrower finishing strip if needed.
Fix a missed crossing
A long visible section of a strip may mean you passed over two base strips instead of one. Trace that row from its starting edge and locate the first mistake. Remove enough of the loose strip to redo the crossing. Gluing over the error hides it poorly and makes later adjustment difficult.
If two adjacent rows show the same pattern, remove the newer row and reverse its starting position. If a strip tip becomes crushed, trim a tiny amount or replace the strip. Keep any replacement the same width so it fits the existing spacing.
Secure the ends after checking the pattern
When the weave lies flat and the rows look even, use small amounts of glue to hold the loose ends against the outer parts of the base. Keep glue out of the interior crossings so the design does not become stiff and lumpy. Allow it to dry before trimming excess ends or mounting the piece on another sheet.
Display it as paper artwork or use a small woven panel on a handmade card. It is not a heat-resistant trivet or a waterproof placemat. For more practice with simple paper construction, try a linked paper chain or an accordion-folded fan.
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