As the title suggests, there are a few different grid
variations to choose from.
Generally, if you are talking about a grid for parchment craft then
you would be talking about a Straight Grid. This is a grid with holes all the
way over it, all at equal distances from each other in vertical/horizontal
lines.
There are 2 versions, fine and bold and they have different
names depending on the brand of the grid.
The only difference between the fine
and the bold grids are the size of the holes, the needle you use should fit the
hole nicely so when you pierce the parchment through the hole and make a
perforation, it becomes a nice round perforation and every hole you make will
be the same. So, if you were to use the bold grid then you will need a slightly
thicker needle than the fine grid.
You will also see on the market the older type mesh grids,
that are perfectly good to use although it’s more difficult to get uniform
perforations because of the ‘movement’ in the mesh.
How to use a plain
Grid
As you can see from the picture below, you can use a grid to
make perforations in your parchment and also to emboss dots and it is exactly
the same whichever grid you use.
If you have ever done
cross stitch, counting across your pattern to work your stitches on open weave
embroidery material, then you have a slight advantage for using grids as a
counting method is used to transfer your pattern to your parchment exactly the
same way as in cross stitch. Saying
that, it is not difficult and with a little practice you will be on your way.
To way to use a plain or diagonal grid place your parchment
on the top of the grid and tape it down. Put your pattern to the side of your
work so you can count the holes according to the pattern and perforate using a
single needle tool .
In the following example the black dots (Fig 1) are
perforations on the front of the parchment, (the white holes are just the
background holes of the grid)
(Fig 2) shows where you would emboss with the PCA sun tool
(Pergamano star tool) to make the circular embossed dots (on the back of the
parchment) and then where you cut with the scissors to make the octagonal
shaped holes shown in (Fig 3)
Then are also a multitude of various ‘fancy grids’ like the
Pergamano multigrids and Siesta Grids. These are much simpler to use as they
already have patterns and borders on them, eliminating the need for counting.
How to use a Multi
Grid
Place your parchment on top of your grid and tape it down.
First of all you emboss the sections you would like to
emboss and then turn the grid over leaving the parchment in place and perforate
through the holes according to the pattern.
The example below is of Pergamano multigrid 21, available
from Wightcat Crafts www.wightcat.com
It is a sampler made from the complete grid, made by my
friend Maggie Byford, this is to show how the whole grid would look but also,
to show how you can take parts of it for your own parchment work, not
forgetting that you can make extra layers for a 3D look.
Extra samples below are from the girls in my classes, one of
them used the grid to make segments to cover a box which looks fantastic. There
are also a couple of cards to show how you can use it to make your own cards as
well by adding glitz and glitter to give that extra bit of sparkle.
