Introduction: Vellum Paper Wine Glass Shade
I was in the library and found an old book on paper crafts. In it showed some amazing work with vellum paper. With further searching; I came up with a book dedicated to Vellum paper crafts.
This is a new paper craft for me.
Parchment Craft, is also known as Pergamano, it is the art of embellishing and decorating parchment paper (or vellum paper) through the use of different techniques such as: embossing, perforating, stippling, cutting and coloring.
I choose translucent vellum paper to work with.
I would like to share my instructables and I believe will cover most of the techniques that could be used for other ellum projects.
SAFETY NOTE: I recommend an electric tea light for safety.
Step 1: Tools and Supplies
Vellum paper – 8.5 by 11 inch, 29 lb. - Translucent acid and lignin free
Card stock - 8.5 by 11 inch 110 lb. white
Ruler
Blue tape – easy release painters tape
Craft Scissors – different patterns
Markers – I used Tom Bow ABT paintbrush tipped
Scissors – small paper cutting
Compass – need to expand to 6 inches
Gutterman 100% polyerster thread
Needle – general sewing use type
1/16 hole punch
5 mm craft foam
Fabric sheet
Drafting lining wheel - needle/stiletto tracing wheel and the serrated tracing wheels make dots or dashes on the vellum
Round embossing tools
Pencil
Tea light -- SAFETY NOTE: I recommend an electric tea light for safety.
Note: When using any tool remember safety.
Step 2: Master Pattern / Tmplate
With planning on making several vellum shades, I wanted to make a template. Well I ended up making two.
Started with the card stock:
I found the middle (center) of the longest side of the paper (11 inch side).
Please understand for quicker spacing and outlining; I have changed over to using metric measurements
Using a compass I created two arcs a 5.5 mm and 14 mm
I cut out the template with scissors
Created the lace up holes
On the flat parts of the arch, I made (marked) an offset of 5 cm and put equal marks 5 cm apart.
I used 1/16 inch hole punch to put in the holes (punching out the 5 cm spaced marks).
This heavy card stock template is used to trace the shade pattern on the vellum paper. I used a light pencil to trace the pattern on the vellum.
Note: the first card stock template I completed to see the fit onto the wine glass. With the amount of work involved, I decided to just keep it assembled and made another card stock template.
Step 3: Paper Card Stock Shade
Cut out the shade
I used craft scissor to cut the outside arc out.
I used craft scissors to cut out the inside arc.
Punch out the lace up holes with 1/16 paper hole punch.
Remember to erase any marks left from pattern transfer.
Lace up the shade
I used the polyester thread (green) and needle to stitch the two flat sides together.
Simple techniques used. I just wanted to make sure the pattern would fit on the wine glass.
Step 4: Vellum Embossed Bee Shade
Transfer the shade pattern
I traced the card stock template onto a piece of vellum paper with a pencil – include markings for the lace up holes.
I used patterned craft scissor to cut the outside arc out.
I used craft scissors to cut out the inside arc.
Punched out the lace up holes.
Remember to erase any pencil marks left from pattern transfer.
Start embossing
I used the 5 mm craft foam under the vellum to allow the vellum to be embossed.
Prior to actually embossing I used the fabric sheet on the reverse side of the vellum. The fabric sheet rubbing is to make the embossing easier. I believe it is to reduce the friction between the sheets – well I tried it with and without the fabric sheet on a scrap piece of vellum - I did notice the difference.
Using a ball embossing tool I highlighted the pattern on the outside arc.
A trick that I created is to rub your embossing tool on the fabric sheet ever once in a while. This made the tool glide over the surface better.
Picture transfer
Downloading a picture of a honey bee (whatever you want to trace) onto a regular piece of printer paper.
· put down 5 mm craft foam
· then the bee pattern
· then the vellum shade cut out
Once it is in position, tape in place with blue tape.
It is a simple trace over the patter with an embossing ball tool.
Remember to rub tool on the fabric sheet every once in a while.
I used the polyester thread (yellow) and needle to stitch the two flat sides together.
Step 5: Painted Vellum Shade
Transfer the shade pattern
I traced the card stock template onto a piece of vellum paper with a pencil – include the markings for the lace up holes.
I used craft scissor to cut the outside arc out.
I used craft scissors to cut out the inside arc.
Punch out the lace up holes.
Remember to erase any pencil marks left from pattern transfer.
Painting or marking the shade
Using my Markers – I used Tom Bow ABT paintbrush tipped I painted some colorful flowers around
the shade. Remembering to move the arch so all the stems point down. The only trick here is while you working on a flat surface that your painted subjects will be curved once the shade is laced up.
Lace up the shade
I used the polyester thread (blue) and needle to stitch the two flat sides together.
Step 6: Perforated Flame Pattern Shade
Transfer the shade pattern
I traced the card stock template onto a piece of vellum paper with a pencil – include marking for the lace up holes.
I used patterned craft scissor to cut the outside arc out.
I used craft scissors to cut out the inside arc.
Punch out the lace up holes.
Remember to erase any pencil marks left from pattern transfer.
Start embossing
I used the 5 mm craft foam under the vellum to allow the vellum to be embossed.
Prior to actually embossing I used the fabric sheet on the reverse side of the vellum.
The fabric sheet rubbing is to make the embossing easier. I believe it is to reduce the friction – well I tried it with and without the fabric sheet on a scrap piece of vellum - I did notice the difference.
Using a tool I highlighted the pattern on the outside arc.
A trick that I created is to rub your embossing tool on the fabric sheet ever once in a while. This made the tool glide over the surface better.
Creating the flames
· put down 5 mm craft foam
· Then the vellum shade cut out
Using the drafting needle/stiletto tracing wheel (serrated tracing wheel) make perforated flame patterns in the vellum
Lace up the shade
I used the polyester thread (lite blue) and needle to stitch the two flat sides together.
Step 7: Finished
Here is some more photos of the finished shades.
Two photos have a light to show the translucent shades.
Vellum paper turned out to be some great paper to work with.
Any combination of techniques can be used.

Participated in the
Papercraft Contest
12 Comments
5 years ago
Nicely done. Thanks for sharing your experience with us all to learn from. I think I am going to give it a try.
8 years ago on Introduction
thank you for the nice comment.
I hope to use my tools for many more years.
I wish you well
8 years ago on Introduction
I envy you for your awesome collection of tools. I'll keep my eyes open for some of them.
Thanks for sharing the project.
9 years ago on Introduction
Vellum is cool. Did a ton of drawing on that stuff for school.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I think it was left by aliens, I find vellum to be unique
Thanks for viewing and the comment.
9 years ago on Introduction
I really liked this material/paper. Thanks for the nice
comment
9 years ago
I really like this. I do have one question, could you clarify the " fabric sheet rubbing" step? I apologize for my ignorance if I missed something. Do you simply rub the entire underside of cut piece of vellum with the fabric sheet? is this done with any tool? I'm presumming that the rubbing with fabric makes the vellum more " pliable" or apt to make the embossing " take" better? Looking forward to your response. I really like this idea. I greatly appreciate your efforts.
Reply 9 years ago
Fabric sheet: Yes you have the idea of application. I just used my hand to grab the sheet (no tools) and tried to keep it flat against the vellum. I just rubbed it all around before flipping it over. I think the fabric sheets have some kind of slip agent on it and the rubbing transfers it onto the vellum. This slip agent must allow the vellum to move freely against the foam, when pressed by the tool.
I believe I just confirmed your thoughts. I hope this helps but if not, I have no problem in getting it right. Just let me know.
Thank you for the comment
9 years ago on Introduction
This is very pretty!
I printed some designs on paper and made the shade.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
wow, that is cool.
I just got back from the dollar store with more wine glasses.
9 years ago on Introduction
These are very pretty, thanks for sharing.
sunshiine
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I'm glad you like them; I was not sure how the pictures would show up.
Thank you