We love decorating with these Mexican cutout banner throughout the year. We are HAPPY to show you how to make a papel picado using felt instead of paper.
Our tutorial for how to make a papel picado is all kinds of fun and great for the kids to help you brighten up any party.
Okay friends… we all know I love any and all holidays. While I do not live in Mexico or come from a Mexican blood line, its holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it was being raised in San Diego, so close to Mexico, or with friends within the Mexican culture, it is part of who I am, and am proud. And lets get real… any celebration where there are tacos and pinatas is pretty much my favorite celebration EVAH!!!!
Mexican Celebrations
As Cinco De Mayo is quickly approaching, I thought I’d share one of my favorite quick, simple and inexpensive ways to decorate for your next Day of the Dead Celebration or fiesta with these DIY Papel Picadao – Mexican Cutout Banners!
The traditional folk art of the Papel Picado is to cut some amazing designs into paper. Today, I’m not getting as intricate with my designs, but definitely can be with the right skills.
We highlighted this Mexican craft along with some other fun kids craft in our Day of the Dead Crafts, October Crafts for Kids along with our 101+ Easy Craft Ideas for kids.
How to Make a Paper Picado
While perusing through the Dollar Tree the other day, I came across this 14 pack of felt sheets. $1 for all that crafting goodness? Yep, it came home with me! But this ended up perfect for this project. There were 3 pink, 3 blue, 3 green and 3 red plus one black and one white. (Not totally sure why only one black and one white??)
What you Need to Make a Mexican Decorations DIY
- Package of Felt Sheets
- Twine
- Small Clothespins (optional)
- Scissors
I did used some small clothes pins (yep, also at the dollar store) to hang, but you could easily thread the twine through holes in the banners to hang as well if you don’t have clothes pins.
Here is a quick video on how to make
DIY MEXICAN CUTOUT BANNER
What you’ll see is that they are made similar to paper snowflakes in the winter. Fold the felt up and cut small shapes (triangles, half circles, rectangles, etc.)
After a little bit of folding and a little cutting, you end up with some pretty fabulous patterns.
I’m loving the felt for these projects because they last longer and can be used for multiple parties, which is always a bonus!!
I love all the bright colors. Don’t you?
The term papel picado means cut out paper, so maybe I should change this fieltro picado? 🙂
In any case, if you are looking for how to make a papel picado, simply grab some sheets of tissue paper and fold the paper the same as you would the felt and cut. This will give you the same look.
These are great for Cinco De Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, or any other Mexican Fiesta.
Other Cinco De Mayo Posts You Might Enjoy
- Pinata planter – fun festive decorations.
- 3 Ingredient Margaritas
- Margaritas Party Recipes
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HOW TO MAKE A PAPEL PICADO
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