Paper weaving is a fantastic hands-on project that engages students of all ages and abilities. Not only does it strengthen fine motor skills, but it also introduces key art concepts like pattern, contrast, and color relationships. In my adapted art class, we took a fresh and exciting approach to traditional paper weaving by first creating our own painted paper using bubble wrap printing! The result? Beautifully textured weavings full of movement and color.
Step 1: Creating Textured Painted Paper
Before we began weaving, I wanted my students to have a sensory-rich experience while also learning about color relationships. We started by selecting analogous colors—colors next to each other on the color wheel—to ensure a harmonious and blended effect. Each student used a sheet of construction paper as their base.
To add texture, we used bubble wrap printing! This process is always a hit with students because it’s tactile, fun, and easy to do. Here's how we did it:
- Paint Application: Students brushed paint directly onto a piece of bubble wrap.
- Printing Process: They flipped the bubble wrap over and pressed it onto their construction paper, creating a fantastic dot-like texture.
- Layering Colors: To add depth, students repeated the process with another analogous color, letting the textures overlap.
Once our vibrant, textured papers were dry, I prepped them for weaving. I cut each painted sheet into 1.5-inch strips, ensuring they were uniform in size. These strips would become the weaving materials, adding a dynamic contrast against a solid-colored background.
Step 2: Creating the Weaving Base (loom)
Depending on the age of your students who will be doing the project, you can either have them do this step themselves or pre-cut their paper loom. To make the paper loom, I folded a piece of 12 x 18" black construction paper in half and then measured 1.5 lines going across to create the evenly spaced slits, leaving about an inch uncut at the top and bottom to hold the weaving in place.
Step 3: Weaving the Painted Strips
Now for the fun part—the weaving! Students practiced the traditional over-under weaving technique, carefully threading their vibrant painted strips through the base. Because of the textured designs, each weaving turned out completely unique!
Some students experimented with patterns—alternating warm and cool colors or arranging their strips in repeating sequences. Others played with layering to create more dimension in their final piece.
Step 4: Final Touches + Display
To finish, we trimmed any overhanging strips, glued the edges for security, and mounted the weavings onto a larger sheet of black construction paper to create contrast. The final pieces were bold, textured, and full of personality—a perfect representation of the creativity within my students!
Why Paper Weaving is Important for Kids
This project isn’t just about creating beautiful artwork; it also builds essential skills! Paper weaving helps students develop:
- Fine motor skills – The process of threading strips through the base improves dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
- Focus and patience – Weaving requires concentration, teaching students to slow down and work carefully.
- Pattern recognition – The over-under pattern introduces a key foundational concept in art and math.
- Creativity and self-expression – Using their own painted paper gives students complete control over their color choices and final design.
Try This in Your Own Classroom!
This project is an easy way to introduce color theory, printmaking, and weaving all in one lesson. Plus, the bubble wrap printing adds a fun, sensory-friendly element that engages students of all abilities. Whether you’re teaching adapted art or looking for a fresh take on paper weaving, this project is sure to be a classroom favorite!
If you're looking for a full video tutorial, check out my video below! If you like what you see, be sure to like and subscribe on my Youtube Channel for more art education content :)
Have you tried weaving with painted paper before? Let me know in the comments!
