Materials list:
2 copies of a photograph (see “Choosing Your Photo” below)
Metal Ruler
Craft Knife
Self-healing Mat
Photo Marking Pencil or Pen
Zig 2-Way Glue Pen
Photo Cleaning Cloth

Choosing Your Photo:

For your first attempt, I highly recommend choosing a color photograph with a clear focal point and not a lot of background “clutter” - the less details to have to match up the better this project will turn out. As you become more comfortable with the technique, try your hand at black and white photos, sepia-toned photos and even weaving a black and white photo with a color one for an interesting look (please note this looks odd with human photo subjects but makes for a spectacular look when using scenery shots such as fall foliage). These advanced weavings are just a touch more difficult as you have fewer reference points to match up than with a color photo, but well worth trying! For the purpose of these instructions I will be assuming you are using a 4X6 photo but you can certainly use larger sizes also.

Preparing Your Photos:

On the back of one photo, draw vertical lines ½-inch apart, separating the picture into 12 equal sections and number them 1 through 12. On the back of the second photo, repeat this process horizontally, numbering these sections 1 through 8. Using your craft knife, separate the sections and put aside in order numerically.

Weaving Your Photos:

Take the central two strips of each photo and weave them together. Take special care to get this first weaving lined up as best as you can as every piece you add from this point on can only line up as well as these first ones. Add a dab of glue on each of the underwoven sections to add stability. Using the 2-way glue gives you a little bit of flexibility to adjust as needed. Next, continue weaving in more strips, working from the middle out in each direction as evenly as possible. Keep adding dabs of glue to each strip you add to keep everything in place as you’re adding the next strips. Be patient. This technique isn’t difficult, but it does require some concentration and persistence. You will notice that as you get further from the center, the details will be harder to match and by the time you get to the very outside, they won’t match up well at all. This is normal and the reason I suggest a photo without a lot of details on the background. When you add your final strips, you will find that the edges aren’t quite even and that is also normal.

Finishing Your Project:

When all the strips have been woven together, take a breath and pat yourself on the back - you’re almost done! You can either trim the uneven edges off or go ahead and leave them there and mat over them. Finally, take your photo cleaning cloth and wipe off the multitude of fingerprints on your woven photos. You did it! Go show it off to anyone you can corner (trust me, even your uninterested baby will do, you’ll be so proud of yourself!) and reward yourself with some chocolate! Enjoy your new technique!

For sample pictures click here or on the photo above!