How to Make a Mola

Project Idea:[nbsp]Construction Paper

Molas are handmade textiles from Panama which use a reverse appliqué technique. Several layers of different-colored cloth are sewn together and the design is then formed by cutting parts of each layer away. While that technique is pretty intricate, the look can be imitated by layering construction paper.

1. The process starts with choosing the main animal shape. It should be a simple silhouette that you can draw yourself. This diagram began with drawing and cutting out an orange fish on Strathmore Construction paper.
2. Glue the orange fish onto a larger piece of yellow construction paper and cut out, leaving an edge of yellow all the way around.
3. Now glue the orange and yellow fish onto a piece of red construction paper and likewise cut out, leaving an edge of red all the way around.
4. Now it's time for the details inside the fish body. Cut an eye out of red paper, glue it to a yellow backing and cut it out. Then cut out a fin of yellow, glue to a red backing and cut out. The eye and fin are then glued to the fish body.
5. Glue the entire layered animal to a black piece of construction paper. For more advanced artists, layers can be continued. The more layers, the more colorful your mola.