How to Mark Lattice
using Channel Scissors
by Maureen Williams

Important Update - June 2009

A great product called Micro Masking Tape is available from http://www.jammydog.com/
It is available in a number of widths and makes marking lattice and other designs a breeze!
Being able to peel and stick the tape saves you having to cut strips and glue them onto the shell.
If you make a mistake while marking simply peel the tape off and stick it onto some
 wax paper or a piece of glass while you adjust your markings and then reapply the tape.

In egg artistry many tools used in other crafts can be adapted to our advantage, making something which can sometimes be a chore into a much easier undertaking.  

An excellent example of this are the pattern shears used in the lead light industry for cutting even strips of foil and lead. When used on paper, these strips are ideal for marking up lattice on our egg designs.

Note: When marking any design on an egg keep your pencil marks as light as possible. I have made the markings on this egg dark for photographic purposes only.
 

In egging circles these are referred to as "Channel Scissors",  possibly due to their construction. When you look at the scissors they consist of a single blade at the top, which passes through a pair of blades on the bottom.

Note: Sharon Arnett has the channel scissors for sale on her site at Arnett's Egg Artistry.

Cutting paper with the scissors is a bit different to cutting with normal scissors and can take a little bit of practice. If the paper gets caught at the end of the blades, close the scissors to spread the blades and release the paper.

By drawing a pencil line around a plate you can also cut curved strips of paper.

As you cut the paper keep the spacing even and the little strips of paper will flip out the back of the sheet.

If you need longer strips for a larger egg fold a sheet of paper and cut with the fold towards you. This will then give you a double length strip. You can also glue one strip after another.

For this tutorial I'm marking an egg which could be used as a horizontal trinket box. The same principle applies to marking lattice on any style egg.

Divide the egg into 4 equal parts and mark in a centre girth line. 

Measure across the top of the lid to determine how big you want the lattice area and make a pencil mark. Mine is 1 1/2" either side of the centre line.

Measure the distance from what will be the cutting line  to the edge of the lattice area and use this measurement to  mark right around the egg, giving you an even oval on the top (lid).

Take one of the strips of paper and apply a thin bead of glue to one side. 

A glue bottle is ideal for this. Alternatively, use a toothpick, twisting it and drawing the glue along the length of the paper strip. 

Position the first strip of paper across the top of the egg, at a 45 degree angle, passing through the centre point .

It is important this strip of paper is straight as all markings will be made from here.

Using a flexible tape, measure the width of your cutting blade (mine is 1/4" wide) from the edge of the paper and make a small mark parallel to the paper.

Continue across the shell spacing the marks approximately 1/2" apart.

Apply glue to another strip of paper and position this one up to the marks you have just made.

Continue in this manner to complete the marking in one direction.

Now turn the egg and start with your first strip of paper in opposite direction. This will form a cross in the centre top of the egg. 

Use a sharp craft knife to trim any excess overlap at the edge of the oval marking.

Where the marking curves towards the top and bottom of the egg it is necessary to gently curve the strip of paper. The glue of the paper provides enough moisture to soften the paper.

Important: make sure you keep each strip parallel to the previous one.

You will notice on the ends of the egg, the diamonds will become more elongated as opposed to the smaller squat diamonds on the fattest part of the egg.

This is an ideal place to position flowers,  scrolls or other decorating items to visually soften the variation in the shape.

When cutting the lattice, start with the small uneven areas first. Use a twist drill to make a hole in each section and then use a flame drill (shaped like a pencil point) to remove the shell.

For the straight cutting, allow the cutting wheel to sink into the shell a little way from the paper and then push the blade towards the paper, thus sanding the shell away. 

I cut along one side of the row of diamonds and then continue with each of the other rows. Turn the egg and repeat along the opposite side of the rows.

 Repeat for all four sides of each diamond. 

Soaking the egg in straight bleach when you have completed the cutting will remove the paper and the membrane and also smooth the edges of the shell.

Previously it was recommended that you should neutralize the bleach using Bi-Carb soda however, we have found that leaving an egg in bleach (even full strength bleach) will not harm the shell.

I hope you find this tutorial helpful in your egging designs. If you have any problems or queries with this how-to page don't hesitate to email me

This tutorial is copyright © Diamond Innovations 2003 -2009
Copying or reproducing any part of this tutorial is prohibited without written permission from the owner.
Please do not place on any other lists or claim as your own.