How to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers With Contact Paper or Wax Paper

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Kid-friendly tutorials for tissue paper crafting
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Sun catchers are a simple way to add some color to your window. Instead of buying a suncatcher, why not make your own using tissue paper? The colors and design possibilities are endless! In this article, we'll explain how to make a tissue paper suncatcher using contact paper and wax paper.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Contact Paper

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    If your shape is symmetrical, fold the paper in half first, then cut half of your shape out along the folded edge.
    • When you are cutting a shape, it is best to have a guide. Lightly draw its outline with a pencil and then cut over top of the line.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Trace along the inside edge of your shape to create a ¼ to ½-inch (0.64 to 1.27-centimeter) border. Poke a hole in your shape, then cut along your lines. Save the border and discard the inside shape. [1]
    • If your border is symmetrical, keep it folded, cut out the inside shape, then unfold it.
    • If you want your sun catcher to be the same on both sides, you will need to make another border for the back. Use your first border as a guide for the second one.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    There is no right or wrong way to do this, so you can get really creative here. You can cut the tissue paper into small squares, rectangles, or triangles. You can also tear them into random shapes instead. [2]
    • Try to use at least two different colors.
    • Aim to make the pieces about 1 to 3 inches (2.54 to 7.62 centimeters).
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Cut off a sheet of contact paper a little larger than your border. Peel off the backing, and set it down on the table, sticky-side up. Tape down the corners so that it stays put.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Try to center it as much as possible so that you have a little bit of contact paper all around the border. If you made two borders, set the second one aside for now. [3]
    • If you can see your tracing lines, make sure that they are facing up. This way, they will be on the inside of the sun catch and not visible in the finished piece.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    It's time to get creative again! Take your colored pieces of tissue paper, and start filling in the border. Try to overlap the tissue paper pieces so that there are as few gaps as possible.
    • It's okay if some of the pieces extend onto the border, or even beyond it. You will be trimming it down later.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Cut off another sheet of contact paper. Peel away the backing, and set it down on top of the sun catcher. Run your fingernail along the outside edges of the border to seal everything in.
    • If you made a second border, glue it down on top of the sun catcher first. Make sure that it is aligned with the first one.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Leave a slight border of contact paper around it, about â…›-inch (0.32 centimeter). This will help hold the sun catcher together.
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    Poke a hole in the top of your sun catcher and thread a piece of string through it. Tie the ends of the string together to make a loop. Hang the sun catcher in a bright, sunny window.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Wax Paper

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    You can also use freezer paper or even a plastic sheet protector. [4] If you are using freezer paper, make sure that the shiny side is facing up. [5] You will be peeling your sun catcher off of this once it dries.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Use at least two different colors and make the pieces about 1 to 3 inches (2.54 to 7.62 centimeters). Other than that, you can get really creative here. You can cut or tear the tissue paper into small squares, rectangles, triangles, strips, etc.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Squeeze some glue onto a paper plate (or another scrap of wax paper). Use a paintbrush or a foam brush to apply a thin layer of glue to a small section of your wax paper. [6]
    • Don't make the section too big, or the glue will dry before you lay all of the tissue paper pieces down. You can always add more glue later.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Make sure that you overlap them slightly. Don't worry if the glue soaks through the tissue paper. You will be covering them with more glue later on.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Extend the glue past the edges of the patch to help seal everything in. At this point, you can make your design bigger by adding more glue to the wax paper, and covering it with more tissue paper. Remember to coat everything with a thin layer of glue when you are done. [7]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Glue doesn't stick very well to slippery surfaces, such as wax paper, which is a good thing for this project. Once the glue dries, carefully peel your tissue paper design off of the wax paper. You should now have a thin sheet of patchy tissue paper.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    This is completely optional. If you do not wish to make a border, simply cut your tissue paper into a shape and hang it in a bright window. [8] If you'd like to make a border, follow the steps below:
    • Cut a simple shape out of a sheet of black paper.
    • Cut a second shape out of from the inside, leaving a ¼ to ½-inch (0.64 to 1.27-centimeter) border.
    • Keep the border and discard the inside shape.
    • Consider making a second border for the back of the sun catcher. Use the first border as your guide.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    If you made a second border for the back, set it aside for right now. [9]
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    Smooth it down with your hands so that it sticks to the glue. If you made a second border for the back, glue it on top of your sun catcher now. Make sure that it's aligned. [10]
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make Tissue Paper Suncatchers
    You will most likely have some tissue paper sticking out from behind your border. To make your sun catcher look neater, trim this excess tissue paper off with a pair of scissors.
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    Punch a hole near the top of your sun catcher. Thread some string through the hole. Tie the string into a loop, then hang it up.
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      Tips

      • You can also cut the inside of your border out using craft punches. They come in lots of interesting shapes. [11]
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      • Your border does not have to be black. You can use a different color that matches your sun catcher instead. For example, if you made a heart, pink, purple, or red would look lovely.
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      • If you are making a sun catcher for a certain season or holiday, try to use matching colors. For example, if you're making a Fall or Halloween sun catcher, use lots of reds, oranges, yellows, and browns.
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      Warnings

      • Do not get these sun catchers wet, especially the wax paper ones. They will melt. These sun catchers are for indoor use only.
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      Things You'll Need

      Using Contact Paper

      • Black paper
      • Contact paper
      • Tape
      • Tissue paper
      • Scissors
      • Craft glue or glue stick (optional)

      Using Wax Paper

      • Black paper
      • Wax paper
      • Tape
      • Tissue paper
      • Scissors
      • Craft glue
      • Paintbrush or foam brush


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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/halloween/tissue-paper-pumpkin-craft.asp
      2. ↑ https://www.minieco.co.uk/butterfly-sun-catchers/
      3. ↑ https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/halloween/tissue-paper-pumpkin-craft.asp
      4. ↑ https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/rainbow-heart-suncatchers/
      5. ↑ https://www.favecrafts.com/Crafting-with-Kids/colorful-tissue-paper-suncatchers
      6. ↑ https://www.favecrafts.com/Crafting-with-Kids/colorful-tissue-paper-suncatchers
      7. ↑ https://www.favecrafts.com/Crafting-with-Kids/colorful-tissue-paper-suncatchers
      8. ↑ https://www.firefliesandmudpies.com/rainbow-heart-suncatchers/
      9. ↑ https://www.favecrafts.com/Crafting-with-Kids/colorful-tissue-paper-suncatchers
      1. ↑ https://www.favecrafts.com/Crafting-with-Kids/colorful-tissue-paper-suncatchers
      2. ↑ https://www.minieco.co.uk/butterfly-sun-catchers/

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