The art of cutting various shapes from colored paper has existed for a very long time. In some countries it has reached the highest level. In Japan, craftsmen carve intricate patterns without making any sketches. If you decide to do applique work or want to involve children in this activity, you need to learn how to cut out elements of the plot or pattern without a pencil. Better to start with the Christmas tree. It can become part of a landscape or an element of a New Year's card.
It is necessary
- -colored paper;
- -scissors;
- - a picture with a herringbone or a small artificial tree.
Instructions
Step 1
Cut a rectangle out of colored paper, the height of which is equal to the height of the future Christmas tree. The rectangle does not have to be perfectly straight. Even a stylized herringbone should at least roughly match the shape of a real tree, so natural curvature is appropriate.
Step 2
Consider a picture or an artificial herringbone by imagining it on a plane. Most of all, it resembles an isosceles triangle: the lower branches are much longer than the upper ones. The tree ends with a rather thin top. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise. Determine which side will be the top of the tree. It is located at the intersection of the fold line with the short side of the rectangle. Starting from this point, cut the rectangle diagonally. You have a right-angled triangle folded in half.
Step 3
Mark the hypotenuse of the triangle with short incisions. The lower branches of the Christmas tree are longer and thicker than the upper ones; their length and thickness decrease as they approach the top. Therefore, the lower segment should be the largest, approximately ¼ of the height. Divide, of course, you need to by eye. Set aside about ¼ of the remaining section and make a short cut again. Thus, mark the entire side.
Step 4
The herringbone can be made with both straight and rounded branches. Take the workpiece so that the fold is on the left. Start cutting from the lower right corner obliquely so that the end of the cut line is at some distance from the fold line and at the same time opposite the next notch on the side line. Rotate the workpiece and cut in a straight line perpendicular to the fold line to the next notch.
Step 5
Rotate the workpiece again and cut obliquely towards the "trunk" to the same depth as the previous cut. Rotate the workpiece again and cut perpendicular to the fold line to the notch. This way, cut out all the other branches as well. Connect the last short cut to the top of the tree.
Step 6
You can make a herringbone with rounded branches. In this case, all cuts are made arcuate, the convex part of the arcs "looks" down. You should not use manicure scissors for this, since the curvature is set in advance. It may not match the one you want. Do everything with scissors with straight ends, turning the workpiece in time. Round the edges of the branches.
Step 7
You can also cut out a very graceful herringbone, in which only the outline will be visible. To do this, cut out the silhouette of the Christmas tree with straight or rounded branches. Without expanding the workpiece, step back along the fold line of 0.5-0.7 cm. Cut, following the contour, to the top, which you finish 0.5-0.7 cm below the edge.
