Click here to join paperbeadcrafts
Click to join paperbeadcrafts
Image of Line of Beads
How To Cut Paper Bead Sheets
Cutting Tools
Scissors

These are fine as long as you are just cutting tapered strips of various sizes and you are not worried about presicion. Just don't use your fabric scissors for this. Standard 8" long scissors work best, even though I have seen paper scissors as long as 12" long which are made for scrapbooking.

Rotary Cutter & Mat:

This is the one I use and prefer. I use a quilter's ruler which has a lip at one end which makes it work like a T square. This will help make for precise straight cuts. Of course you can use a T Square but I found using the quilters ruler with the lip on the end works great because it is transparent.

Paper Cutter

I have tried Fiskars Ultimate Paper cutter and found it difficult to use for precise cuts. Plus the blade did not go all the way through the paper when I tried to cut just 1 sheet. I really don't recommend using a paper cutter for cutting precise strips.


Cutting Different Types of Beads
Tube Beads

  1. Cut each sheet one at a time for best results.
  2. With rotary cutter, T-Square and self sealing cutting mat, cut margins off just to meet the printed edge if you have margins.
  3. Lay paper onto cutting mat sideways, so the images are lined up horizontally across the top of the sheet and so it is perfectly lined up with the T Square or straight edge so that you will be cutting the paper into straight strips between the printed images. Tape the left corners to your surface taking care to only put tape on the bottom margin and not on the bead strip itself. That way the sheet will stay in place while you cut it.
  4. Lay your quilters T-Square or ruler on the paper lining the edge where you want your cut to be. I use the quilters ruler and it has measurement markings which makes it easier to be precise on where to cut. I am right handed so I cut on the right hand side of the ruler keeping the blade touching the side of the ruler as I cut.
  5. When you are done cutting the strips, remove the taped margin and discard or carefully remove the tape and make into a fun bead which you can decorate later. If your piece of paper has information about the beads printed on it, make sure you keep that strip with the information with your cut strips so you will know what they are later.

Tapered Beads

  1. Cut each sheet one at a time for best results.
  2. Do the same as for the tube beads but make your cuts diagonal from one side to the other.
  3. When you are cutting tapered beads, your images, if they are separated by white space, are easier to cut. Line up your ruler to the white space lines at each end so your ruler is diagonal. Cut along the ruler. You should end up with tapered strips with the image at the narrow end unless you printed your paper on both sides.

You are now ready to roll your bead strips.

Image of Line of Beads

Home | Designer | How To | Links | Contact Us | JPF Crochet Club

Copyright 2007 by Julie A. Bolduc All Rights Reserved