Easter & Spring Wycinanki Papercuts

Grade 4-6 students created intricate cut paper wycinanki (pronounced Vee-chee-non-kee) incorporating an Easter or Spring theme. Wycinanki is a traditional paper-cutting craft from Poland, but it is also practised all over Eastern Europe. It dates from the mid-19th century where it was first made by shepherds who used their huge shearing scissors (as it was the only tools they had available) to create intricate patterns out of leather for decoration. A somewhat similar craft, scherenschnitte, is practised in Germany and Switzerland. 

Students simply folded a piece of photocopy paper (needs to be thin paper in order to cut easily) in half and drew half of a design. They could include objects like trees, chicks, bunnies, tulips, spring flowers, grass, etc. Cut carefully, unfold and voila, a delicate symmetrical design. They were carefully glued onto colored pastel paper.