Learn How to Make an Origami Kusudama Flower with simple steps. Fold and glue paper petals to create a lovely blossom for gifts or decor.
When learning to fold origami flowers, you’ll definitely want to add the kusudama flower to your project list. This pretty flower is relatively simple to fold but will impress all your friends. Kusudama origami uses several identical folded units glued or sewn together to form a sphere. Kusudama is often considered a precursor to the modern genre of modular origami.
To make a kusudama flower, you can use origami paper, scrapbook paper, or calendar paper cut to your desired size. Bigger paper makes bigger petals, giving you a more dramatic-looking flower. Mix and match patterns for an artistic effect, or use one solid color for all the petals if you want your flower to look as realistic as possible.
Children ages 6 and up can fold the kusudama petal with a bit of practice, but will likely need adult help to complete the flower. If you’re folding this model with a child, use large 6-inch by 6-inch squares to make the project easier for tiny hands. You can also make a kusudama flower with money.
What You’ll Need
- 6 sheets of square paper
- Glue
- Paper clips (optional)
How to Make an Origami Kusudama Flower
Make a Triangle
Place the paper in front of you with the back side facing up. Fold it diagonally in half to form a triangle. This fold is also known as a shawl fold, diaper fold, or triangle fold in origami. It is a basic fold used to make many different paper projects.
Form a Square
Fold the left and right corners up to meet in the middle, forming a square. This shape is called a helmet base in origami.
Make each fold neat and sharp so your origami kusudama flower looks its best.
Fold the Corners Down
Fold the left and right corners down so they line up with the edge of the paper.
Flatten the Flaps
Flatten the flaps from the previous step by gently opening and pressing them down. This is called a squash fold. It may take a little practice to keep the paper smooth, but this fold is useful for making many origami projects, including flowers and cards. Next, fold the top triangles down.
Create Kusudama Flower Petals
Fold the left corner inward until it meets the first crease. Do the same with the right corner. Carefully glue the petal to hold it in place. Repeat these steps to make six petals. When you finish, check that all six petals are the same size and shape.
Complete Your Origami Kusudama Flower
Glue the petals together to make your kusudama origami flower. You can use a glue stick or liquid craft glue. Let the glue dry before moving on to the next step. If the petals don’t stay in place, use paper clips to hold them together until the glue dries.
You can decorate the center of your flower with a button, scrapbook brad, or rhinestone. To attach the flower to a gift bow, make a small loop with wire and thread the button through it. Use the extra wire to secure the flower to the bow on your wrapped gift.
Creating a Kusudama Ball
If you like, make 12 flowers and glue them together to create a large origami kusudama ball.
Making an Origami Bouquet
A single origami kusudama flower looks lovely on its own. You can also add several flowers to an origami bouquet to make a pretty arrangement for weddings and other special occasions.
