Paper Tearing

Jul '08 BabeeBK

What do you use to tear paper? Tearing paper is much trickier than I thought it would be. I'd picked up a paper tearer thingee at walmart a while ago and it didn't work like I wanted it to. I think white core paper looks best when torn the right way.
Jul '08 CraftyCandace

RE: BabeeBK: What do you use to tear paper? Tearing paper is much trickier than I thought it would be. I'd picked up a paper tearer thingee at walmart a while ago and it didn't work like I wanted it to. I think white core paper looks best when torn the right way.

I literally just tear it. But sometimes I get it crooked, so I'm sure there's got to be a better way.
Jul '08 CMLeach

RE: CraftyCandace: I literally just tear it. But sometimes I get it crooked, so I'm sure there's got to be a better way.

I'm with Candace -- I just tear. If I'm tearing, I don't want it to be perfectly straight anyway so it doesn't matter if I go a bit crooked. What I do, however, is I tear closely when I want the effect to be mostly straight -- as in I keep my hands close to one another when I am tearing and will tear in shorter "bursts".
Jul '08 CMLeach

RE: CMLeach: I'm with Candace -- I just tear. If I'm tearing, I don't want it to be perfectly straight anyway so it doesn't matter if I go a bit crooked. What I do, however, is I tear closely when I want the effect to be mostly straight -- as in I keep my hands close to one another when I am tearing and will tear in shorter "bursts".

Oh but if you truely DO want a straight line... you can do one of two things.

1. Place the paper under a ruler (a metal ruler would work best) and use that as your edge to tear against.

2. Fold the paper, moisten the crease and then tear the wet area.
Jul '08 Denitza

RE: CMLeach: I'm with Candace -- I just tear. If I'm tearing, I don't want it to be perfectly straight anyway so it doesn't matter if I go a bit crooked. What I do, however, is I tear closely when I want the effect to be mostly straight -- as in I keep my hands close to one another when I am tearing and will tear in shorter "bursts".

I just tear it too!
Jul '08 CatScrapsHere

RE: Denitza: I just tear it too!

I just tear it, but slowly and like Chris says, with my hands close to the tear line. If I really want to stay close to a line, I just draw the line on the back of the paper and use it as a guide.
Jul '08 Here Kitty

RE: Denitza: I just tear it too!

I just tear it. I find as with many things, the more you think about it the harder it is
Jul '08 Tay

RE: Here Kitty: I just tear it. I find as with many things, the more you think about it the harder it is

I use a wet q-tip to make the tear line. I don't generally use a ruler because I don't want a perfectly straight tear.
Jul '08 Unknown

RE: Tay: I use a wet q-tip to make the tear line. I don't generally use a ruler because I don't want a perfectly straight tear.

I just tear it and if it's crooked so be it. I like the uneven look.=]
Jul '08 Judy_Scraps

RE: BabeeBK: What do you use to tear paper? Tearing paper is much trickier than I thought it would be. I'd picked up a paper tearer thingee at walmart a while ago and it didn't work like I wanted it to. I think white core paper looks best when torn the right way.
BabeeBK Said:
What do you use to tear paper? Tearing paper is much trickier than I thought it would be.

If you overthink it you're making it harder than it needs to be. It's not meant to be perfect.

If you're right handed, hold the paper down with your left hand flat on the paper. Using your right hand, tear towards you starting at the top of the paper. Tear slowly but not so slowly that you're creating a choppy look (unless that's what you want). Guide the tear with the thumb and forefinger of your left hand. The rough edge will be facing up on the left hand piece of paper.

HTH
Jul '08 Courtney8818

RE: Judy_Scraps: BabeeBK Said: What do you use to tear paper? Tearing paper is much trickier than I thought it would be. If you overthink it you're making it harder than it needs to be. It's not meant to be perfect. If you're right handed, hold the paper down with your left hand flat on the paper. Using your right hand, tear towards you starting at the top of the paper. Tear slowly but not so slowly tha...

I use this nifty little thing that Stampin' Up! makes called a Tearing Edge. It's like a ruler, but the edge of it is torn-looking so when you use it the paper comes out torn, but it is straight, but not TOO straight. I love it and whenever I use it, I always remember why I love it so much. I'm a Stampin' Up! demo so if anyone is interested, just PM me and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also see a picture of it by going to **Edited per board rules. and clicking on the link that says "Stampin' Up! Products" at the top and going to page 184 in the online catalog.
Jul '08 Tricia07

RE: Courtney8818: I use this nifty little thing that Stampin' Up! makes called a Tearing Edge. It's like a ruler, but the edge of it is torn-looking so when you use it the paper comes out torn, but it is straight, but not TOO straight. I love it and whenever I use it, I always remember why I love it so much. I'm a Stampin' Up! demo so if anyone is interested, just PM me and I would be happy to answer any questions ...

I use the Fiskars rulers...they work great!
Jul '08 Scrap4brains

RE: Tricia07: I use the Fiskars rulers...they work great!

I have a two sided metal ruler that I use to tear if I want it semi straitght. One side is serated in fairly straight line the other is wavy and I rarely use that side. I once tore a circular piece out of a lay out by putting a dinner plate right side down then "painting" with water around the circle then ripping a circle out. After the paper dried I ironed it flat then glued it to cardstock. I was pleased with the result.

St. Paddy's Day Redux
By Scrap4brains
Jul '08 Frau_Cooney

RE: Scrap4brains: I have a two sided metal ruler that I use to tear if I want it semi straitght. One side is serated in fairly straight line the other is wavy and I rarely use that side. I once tore a circular piece out of a lay out by putting a dinner plate right side down then "painting" with water around the circle then ripping a circle out. After the paper dried I ironed it flat then glued it to cardstock. ...

I just use my hands. When I am tearing, I want it to be a bit messy.

Funny story - a few years ago I made my mother a birthday card and it had torn paper on it. When she got it she remarked "Oh, you know how to tear paper!" I laughed. I'm sure it was a skill I learned early, but she was not nearly as amused when I was tearing her things as a child!
Jul '08 SallyEgg

RE: Frau_Cooney: I just use my hands. When I am tearing, I want it to be a bit messy. Funny story - a few years ago I made my mother a birthday card and it had torn paper on it. When she got it she remarked "Oh, you know how to tear paper!" I laughed. I'm sure it was a skill I learned early, but she was not nearly as amused when I was tearing her things as a child!

I just tear it with my hands. Of course, if it has a white core, you do have to tear it just the right way. And a ruler helps for the almost straight edge, if you're looking for that.
Jul '08 Jordannichole

RE: SallyEgg: I just tear it with my hands. Of course, if it has a white core, you do have to tear it just the right way. And a ruler helps for the almost straight edge, if you're looking for that.

I found that if you tear the right side off, the left side will have the white core on it and if you tear the left side off, the right side will have the core! HTH!
Jul '08 Tia Hokee

RE: Jordannichole: I found that if you tear the right side off, the left side will have the white core on it and if you tear the left side off, the right side will have the core! HTH!

I use a ruler in order to get a straight line. I know that Creative Memories has a double sided paper tearer that has been really popular at the crops I have attended.
Jul '08 Squid

RE: Tia Hokee: I use a ruler in order to get a straight line. I know that Creative Memories has a double sided paper tearer that has been really popular at the crops I have attended.

I just tear by hand and I always make it crooked... on purpose.
Jul '08 Memories4Ever

RE: Squid: I just tear by hand and I always make it crooked... on purpose.

I tear by hand, always towards me. If it's crooked, so be it. I like the imperfect look.
Jul '08 Amonika

RE: Memories4Ever: I tear by hand, always towards me. If it's crooked, so be it. I like the imperfect look.

I just tear. If its something that is more intricate I will tear tiny little bits at a time rather than just tearing. I tear on a lot of projects and so far everything I've torn I love. I also love the crooked look so it works for me.