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In Part 1 of this 2-part series, learn how to DIY doublette crepe paper by laminating crepe paper using fusible webbing and spray adhesive. In Part 2, I’ll talk about DIY doublette crepe paper using glue.
Back in 2019, I had the pleasure of catching up with Mike Benson of Carte Fini at our Toronto 2-Day Intensive Workshop. We were having a conversation about DIY doublette crepe paper and we thought it would be really valuable to share with his customers how they can create a thicker crepe paper using the Italian lightweights (techniques otherwise known as “laminating” amongst paper flower artists). I had demonstrated the technique of using fusible webbing to glue the crepe paper together at the workshop and it seemed to be a technique that was new to a lot of people. So Mike and I partnered up to record a video explaining how to create your own DIY doublette crepe paper (also known as double-sided crepe paper) using the 60g Italian crepe paper from Cartotecnica Rossi that Carte Fini carries and sells.
Cut to a few months later and Covid-19 shut everything down here in Ontario starting in January 2020. After months of lockdown, I was finally able to work with Ray Kwok Films (who had filmed my promotional video for my book) to film this tutorial. It hasn’t been officially released on Carte Fini’s website yet (Mike wants the page to be perfect), however, I thought you guys would find the video super helpful in the meantime. It’s awkward to see myself on video so forgive me in advance!
Why create your own doublette crepe paper?
The advantage of creating your own DIY doublette crepe paper is that you can really make a doublette in any colour you want. Italian crepe paper comes in so many vibrant and beautiful colours in their 180g lines, so just imagine the possibilities! You can also mix and match so one side is a different colour from the other side. Sometimes I just need a weight that’s between 180g and 60g, and making my own doublette creates that perfect crepe paper.
I generally prefer to colour my paper before I glue it together with fusible webbing because I find that if water gets on the laminated crepe paper, it tends to split apart. With spray adhesive, I can colour before or afterwards.
What do you need to create your own DIY doublette crepe paper?
The only thing you need is your choice of crepe paper (I recommend a fine crepe paper), fusible webbing, an iron and an ironing board. I use parchment paper to protect my ironing board (or towel) and my iron so that the fusible webbing, once melted, would not adhere to either surface.
This lamination method is one that I’ve used since 2017 when I came across Lia Griffith’s article where she used stitch witchery to DIY doublette crepe paper using her extra fine crepe paper (I even wrote a blog about this technique). Back then, I was one but a few who used this technique. Since then, this way of laminating crepe paper has sort of gained traction word by mouth and I can even say it’s become almost like general knowledge within our paper flower community.
In the following video, I show you two ways of creating DIY doublette crepe paper with 60g Italian crepe paper by using fusible webbing and a spray adhesive. Below is a list of my favourite fusible webbing and spray adhesive with a link to where you can buy it online.
One word on the spray adhesive: I’ve tried other spray adhesives before, but none are as lightweight as Aleene’s or as effective, so if you can find a bottle that sprays properly (I’ve bought a few bottles that spray like foam silly string and had to return them), I highly recommend this brand over all others. I’ve used Elmer’s Adhesive spray and the Gorilla Adhesive Spray, and both are heavier-weight and tend to create a plastic feel on the paper (it soaks into the lightweight crepe paper); in addition, I find that if I manipulate the laminated paper a lot (like twisting, scrunching etc.), the layers of paper detach in time. So I only use other brands when I must.
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My favourite fusible webbing:
Pellon Wonder Web (purchase by the yard or metre at your local fabric store)
Pellon Wonder Under (with a backing) (or purchase by the yard or metre at your local fabric store)
My favourite spray adhesive:
Want to learn how to make realistic looking paper flowers?
I share how I colour my crepe paper, how I colour my paper before lamination, and other lamination methods in my book, Paper Flower Art (GMC, 2019) (buy in hardcover or in paperback), or within my Online Courses.
