Vietnamese Handmade Paper Techniques

For centuries, traditional Vietnamese papermaking communities across the country made handmade paper for spiritual and mundane use. In this workshop, we will learn traditional Vietnamese papermaking techniques using the liềm seo (bamboo woven screen) and khung seo (two-part wooden frame) to make paper. We will work with paper mulberry and work in various sizes—9 x 12 in. and 12 x 18 in.

Instruction will cover fiber preparation, hand beating, sheet formation, pressing, drying using traditional equipment, and demos for manipulating the bark for textile design. Expect to gain knowledge on traditional Vietnamese papermaking techniques and its history related to craft artforms, while also expanding your own papermaking studio practice.