Book review of Weaving With Paper by Helen Hiebert

Remember those kindergarten construction paper projects, weaving strips of two or more colors together? Crafters craving something nostalgic yet contemporary can easily take this concept to new levels with Weaving With Paper: 30 Projects to Expand Your Creativity. It’s a wonderfully detailed guide that takes readers from simple beginning exercises to more advanced, artistic methods. Best of all, the primary materials are glue and paper—all sorts of paper—so the materials investment can be minimal.

Paper artist Helen Hiebert launched a 100-Day Project to weave something each day, and in 2019 began teaching the art form online. This book explains the basics, such as tools and techniques, while encouraging readers to establish a daily practice to hone their skills. Her 30 prompts are varied and fun: One combines materials that remind you of your roots, such as a map and an old photo; a travel prompt invites readers to use materials representing a dream vacation, such as airline stubs, brochures and photocopies of printed souvenirs. Each prompt serves as a jumping-off point, allowing for much personal interpretation and creativity. Hiebert has long been a teacher, and her clear instructions appear alongside many photos showing works in progress as well as numerous finished variations.

In addition, Hiebert includes directions for several advanced projects: a woven note card, an album for storing weavings and even a woven paper lantern. A final chapter showcases the weavings of contemporary artists, such as Hollie Chastain and Galen Gibson-Cornell, who uses materials like city posters and ads in his work.

Start digging through your ephemera—and recycling bins—to embrace the fun of Weaving With Paper. It’s a treasure chest of inspiration.