How to make Papel picado
Papel Picado: try all 7 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
Fold a tissue rectangle into four layers, cut repeated petals and a scalloped lower edge, then open a flag for a papel picado banner.
- You need
- Colored tissue paper, pencil, ruler, scissors, string and a glue stick.
- Start
- Start with a 24 × 18 cm rectangle of colored tissue paper, its long edges at the top and bottom. Use tissue colored on both sides.
Your model is ready
Open the flag gently. Fold about 1 cm of the uncut top band over a string and glue the hem closed. Add several flags with small gaps, let the glue dry, then hang the banner. One opened papel picado flag, with its solid hanging band at the top.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Fold in half
Bring the left short edge to the right short edge. Match the corners gently; tissue tears if pressed too hard.
- 2
Fold into quarters
Fold the right edge back to the left edge of the packet. Keep the top edges together.
- 3
Cut the first petal
From the left folded edge, cut around the pointed petal and return to that edge. Cut all four layers. Leave the top 24 mm untouched.
- 4
Cut the second petal
Cut a smaller petal inward from the other folded edge. Leave a broad bridge between the two openings.
- 5
Shape the lower edge
Cut the shallow scallop across the bottom of the packet. Keep the large part above the cut, including the whole top band.
- 6
Open quarter
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- 7
Open half
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
- ✓
Finish
Open the flag gently. Fold about 1 cm of the uncut top band over a string and glue the hem closed. Add several flags with small gaps, let the glue dry, then hang the banner. One opened papel picado flag, with its solid hanging band at the top.
Fold next
Tissue flower ↗
Pleat six tissue sheets, tie the center and lift the layers into a soft bloom.
Branched four-point snowflake ↗
Cut a connected four-arm snowflake with two pairs of branches and two diamond windows on each arm. This is Origami Tutor's own pattern.
Stepped four-point snowflake ↗
Fold a square twice, cut narrow stepped branches and nine windows, then open a light four-point snowflake. This is Origami Tutor's own pattern.
Notched eight-arm snowflake ↗
Fold a square twice, cut eight forked arms and nine windows, then open the full snowflake. This is Origami Tutor's own pattern.