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Even though I haven’t technically folded paper in probably a year, I have a box full of origami paper. You see sometime a few years ago I got really sick. Bed rest kind of sick and I was going nuts. Russell came home one day with a bag full of origami papers and a little instructional book.
I folded and folded until my fingers became raw and I just knew that I had a new hobby to keep me busy. But when I got well enough I just sort of forgot about it. This past weekend when I was cleaning up my office and craft space I came across the box of papers. I got distracted, as I often do, and began folding kusudama flowers right in the middle of what looked like the aftermath of an earthquake.
Today I’m going to show you how to make these lovely flowers and in a bit I’ll show you how to connect a whole mess of them into a kusudama ball!
For this project you will need:
- origami paper
- glue stick
- Fast Grab Tacky Glue (optional)
There are a whole lot of steps involved, so I think it is better explained if you watch the animated pic above to see how to fold the paper.
It looks difficult but the fact of the matter is it is just a bunch of little folds. After you make one or two, you can knock them out in your sleep!
After you have completed all of the folds, apply glue to the flap on the right side.
Fold the paper together so that both flaps touch. Hold for a few moments to keep the glue in place while it sets.
Use your fingers to neaten the inner pieces up and you’ve completed your first petal! Each flower needs 5 petals total.
Since I’m such a messy crafter, I like to fold all of my pieces first.
And then I glue them assembly line style and go wash the incredible mess off my hands and work surface just after.
Next glue together three petals and then glue together two. Set them aside to fully dry. For this particular gluing I prefer to use fast grab tacky glue because it can be a mess holding these together. The fast grab does just that, holds on and then you don’t have to worry about it.
Glue the set of 3 and the set of 2 together. Do you ever wonder what the back of things look like? I often do so I’m including that here even though it’s not terribly attractive!
And that’s that. If you want to start making flowers for a kusudama ball, you’ll need 12 flowers total (so start making 60 petals!).
This can technically be a free project. I also like to fold origami flowers out of magazine pages (quite a bit harder to fold if it is a heavy, glossy page), newspaper, maps, comic book pages, you name it. Just cut your origami paper into 5 inch by 5 inch squares and you can rock this little hobby for free!
They also sell origami paper that is printed and have variations in color, like this “tie dyed” origami paper. It can make for some very interesting flowers!
Have I gotten you hooked? Will you be folding the day away?
I love this, i was looking for a flower to make for my grandmother and this was the only one that i liked
This was straight to the point and easy to follow. Thank You!
Best instructions ever. I’m working with kids and they love it. Thanx!
very helpful!!! I could not make this flower without your help, THANK YOU!!!!!!
Great tutorial! The animation was so helpful! I made a few of these at my desk today (slow day at work), and now I have some lovely decorations :)
Thanks!
The same here, a slow day indeed! XD It’s perfect for releiving stress.
I began making these and selling them on my etsy shop almost four years ago. I began with a few flowers and now create entire bouquets in different styles, sheet music, map pages, book pages, all using the same folding technique. These everlasting bouquets can have other paper flowers added, actually any type of flowers, lace, patterned, etc. plus tulle. It is a fun project. I love folding these flowers and have more than ten wedding orders going on now. Karen
Doing these today during a snow day. Lots of fun and easy!
These are fab! I’ve often seen them and thought wow! I’d love to make them. Thanks for easy tutorial. Deffo having a go at these. From a fellow crafter in the wedding business. X
I used your tutorial to make a beautiful centerpiece for my small and intimate wedding. It has the best illustrated instructions I have ever seen. I even posted a link to this in my blog. http://www.cindyscreativecuts.com. Thanks for the great inspiration!!
That is really neat, Cindy! They looked like great little centerpieces and I love the bling in the center of each! Thanks for taking the time to let me know (and linking to the post, too :)
Thanks
I tried to make these ones once, but… well… the looked a bit crooked. Not nearly as nice as on the pictures… I may have to try it again, because I really love the finished look!
Especially the ones from old magazine-pages are awesome – but this may be because of my big love for all printed ;)
I’ve had A LOT of practice making these! My first ones had bunched up business going on inside, not the pretty three lines you see on these here.
My favorite ones are out of the magazine pages, too. It’s just so much harder to fold them because the paper is waaay thicker.
Give it another go, I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it!
Love this, enjoy doing this craft with my 8year old daughter.. She loves it and so do I.. Great demo too…
Thanks so much, Rosa! My nephew who is 6 is all about origami time. This is definitely a good design for the little ones!
This is a great technique for the little ones! And thanks so much for the compliment – I’m glad the demo translates well!
I love this I will def try it! Thank you! :D
I’m so glad!