Twisted Paper Garland

We’ve know each other for long enough now that you understand my love for sewn paper garlands. I already have a large collection of all the versions I’ve done in the past and I still want to make more. Most of the time I use shapes readily available, whether it’s through my paper cutting machine or paper punches. However, this time, I had something else in mind. The idea for these garlands came after seeing an invitation online with a twisted garland design in the background. It wasn’t anything truly memorable or fantastic but when I looked at it, I thought, I think I can make that.

In the graphic, the ‘twisted’ look was created using a series of lopsided almond shapes all ‘strung’ together with a dark tone, light tone color pattern. To make my own, first, I created the lopsided almond shapes. It’s odd, I know. To keep it from looking uniform, I created four versions, available here for download. I had to hand-cut the shapes but nothing I couldn’t finish during a couple of recorded shows. Then I chose paper, two tones for each strand. A light turquoise, a dark turquoise and so on.

Then the garland came together just like every other sewn garland I’ve made. I fed the shapes through the machine, one at a time, until all were attached. I did try to get the edges as close together as possible, hoping to achieve that twisted look.

The overcast skies we’ve been dealing with for the past week have put a damper on my natural light photography but even so, I think you can get the idea of their twisted-ness. It’s a funky, interesting shape which is refreshing and a sewn paper garland gets me every time.

The paper used for this project was provided by JAM Paper and Envelope. Known as ‘The Best Paper Store in NYC’, JAM Paper and Envelope manufactures a large amount of the product they carry to ensure its quality. I am very impressed with the paper quality. A few of the colors I chose have a gorgeous flat finish I adore and all papers held up to the riggers of sewing. Not near NYC? No worries. JAM ships anywhere in the world. I am in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and my paper arrived in a few short days.

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