Woven Paper Dove Broach

bird, paper, weave

Posted by lisa_ancarrow

About

I used to make this little bird when I was a child and I had forgotten about her. Just recently she visited me in a dream and whats to come out -so here she is, My Little Paper Dove Broach. She could also be a great gift topper instead of a bow - but I like to wear her as a broach on my vintage black dress at dinner parties.

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You Will Need (1 thing)

  • Paper

Steps (13 steps, 20 minutes)

  1. 1

    Use a white 8.5x11 piece of paper - you can really use just about any paper or color. But for my dove I use white. Cut 2 strips that measure 1.5 x 11

  2. 2

    Next cut a line down the middle making 2 pieces and stop about 1 inch from the edge that will be the wing - follow with 2 more cuts down the middle of the 2 pieces. In the end you should have made a total of 4 strips. *remember leave about 1 inch from the edge of the paper.

  3. 3

    On each of the pieces of paper - start to weave the strips as shown in photo ( over one then under one - basice weaving ) You are now making the wings. Repeat on the other strip of paper.

  4. 4

    Place the 2 woven pieces of paper one on top of the other. Make sure you have all 4 strips each pointing in north, south east and west. Here we are going to weave each strip together to form the wings and body. * over 1 under 1 etc.

  5. 5

    Here is what your weaving will look like once completed. It does look hard - but I promise it is easy. Follow the basic weaving principle.

  6. 6

    Next loop down the top or north 2 strips to the south position - tape to table ( easier to work with if taped to table - don't use to much tape - this is just to hold down while we weave ). Then loop over the south 2 strips to the north positions. Now you have formed 4 loops to start the weaving process again. With the east 2 strips weave them through the 4 loops * over 1 under 1*, then follow with the west 2 strips. Once finished you should have the body formed. Your bird is on it's back - we will flip it over in the next step.

  7. 7

    Here is what the body will lool like after all of the weaving. Your bird is on it's back - we will flip it over in the next step. The North and South Strips stayed in place while you weaved the east and west strips to the opposite side.

  8. 8

    OK here is the tricky part. We are now going to weave the strips around to form the head and tail. Continue to use the over 1 under 1 method and weave the strips around to the sides of the bird. The north 2 strips will weave to the right 2 loops - weave the eas strips to the left loops - the four strips will meet together to form the head of the bird.

    Repeat on the other side. South 2 strips will weave to the right 2 loops while the west strips will weave to the left 2 loops.

  9. 9

    i have turned the dove now right side up so you can see how to weave the pieces together. Once finished your should have 4 strips at the front to form the head and 4 strips in the back to form the tail

  10. 10

    For the head - gather the 4 stips at the head and fold over the pieces of the paper and tie a little knot to form the head and beak- Cut with scissors to make the shape of the beak.

  11. 11

    For the tail - cut the 4 strips into smaller strips.

  12. 12

    With your scissors curl the ends to make them fancy.

  13. 13

    Glue a small pin to the belly - Presto you have a beautiful paper dove broach. Now go and wear it out on to dinner on your fancy dress! Thanks and enjoy!