Learn how to make an origami cherry blossom with simple folding steps. Grab some paper and create pretty flowers for your cards and crafts!
Learn how to make a pretty origami cherry blossom flower with this simple paper craft. These traditional Sakura flowers make lovely decorations for handmade greeting cards, birthday cards, and wall displays.
You start by folding the paper into a pentagon to create the flower’s five petals.
Use a 15 x 15 cm sheet of paper to begin. Once you learn the steps, you can use smaller sheets to make tiny flowers.
You need to cut the paper to make the pentagon and shape the petals. Since this project involves cutting as well as folding, it also has some elements of kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting.
What You’ll Need
Materials
- 1 15×15 cm paper
Instructions
1. First Set of Steps
Place your paper with the colored side facing up. Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.
Next, bring the bottom-left corner toward the center. Do not fold the entire section. Just make a small crease at the center point.
Now, bring the top-left corner diagonally down to the same point. Make another small crease. You should see an X mark on the left side of your paper.
Finally, bring the bottom-right corner over to the center of the X and make a firm crease.
Second Set of Steps
Fold the flap over to the right and line it up with the vertical edge of the right section.
Next, fold the bottom-left corner diagonally up and to the right. Align it with the left vertical edge of the right section.
Now, fold the entire left section back along the same vertical edge.
Finally, cut the folded paper into a petal shape. You can change the shape of your petals to create different flower designs.
Third Set of Steps
10. Carefully unfold the paper. You should now see your flower with the colored side facing up.
11. Refold the flower by following the existing creases. Make valley folds between the petals and mountain folds down the center of each petal.
12. Fold the bottom-left edge slightly inward. Turn the flower over and fold the bottom-left section inward by the same amount.
Don’t worry if the folds look a little uneven. Real flowers are not perfectly symmetrical, so your origami flower doesn’t need to be perfect either!
Last Set of Steps
Carefully unfold the flower and bring the petals forward from behind. Pull the top section out to the right while holding the small square in the center. Lift the square slightly as you do this.
Next, flatten the flower. Turn the pointed center clockwise and gently press it down with your finger. Keep pressing until the center forms a flat pentagon.
Finally, turn the flower over to the other side. Your origami cherry blossom is now complete!
Tips for Making an Origami Cherry Blossom
Make Neat Folds:
Take your time with each fold. Line up the edges and corners before pressing the paper down. You can use your fingertip or a ruler to make each crease neat and sharp. This makes the next steps easier because you can follow the crease lines as you shape the petals.
Mark the Center Properly:
The small creases you make at the beginning help you find the center of the paper. Pay attention to these marks because you will need them in the following steps. Press lightly when making small pinch marks so you don’t leave deep creases.
Cut the Petals with Care:
When cutting the folded paper into a petal shape, use small, steady cuts. Keep all the layers together so the five petals have a similar shape. Don’t worry if your first flower isn’t perfect. You can adjust the petal shape when making your next one.
Handle the Center Gently:
Be careful when shaping the center of your flower. Turn the pointed section slowly and press it down with your finger. Avoid pulling or pressing too hard, as this can tear the paper or spoil the folds.
How to Make Different Cherry Blossom Designs
Pale pink paper gives you the familiar cherry blossom look, while white paper creates a simple flower. Darker pink shades make the petals stand out. You can also use two-sided origami paper to add another color to your design.
The petal shape makes a difference, too. Rounded edges give the flower a soft appearance, while slightly pointed tips create a different look. You can also cut shallow curves along the edges if you want to add more detail.
Once you get used to the folding steps, make a few flowers using smaller sheets of paper. Tiny cherry blossoms are useful for decorating greeting cards, gift tags, and scrapbook pages.
Ways to Use Your Origami Cherry Blossoms
Once you have made a few flowers, you can use them in different paper craft projects. Glue one onto a handmade birthday card, thank-you note, or spring greeting card. You can also arrange several flowers on cardstock to make a simple floral design.
For wall decorations, make flowers in different shades of pink and white. Arrange them together or attach them to paper branches to create a cherry blossom display. You can use this as a seasonal decoration at home.
These flowers also work well on gift boxes, gift bags, party invitations, and scrapbook pages. Smaller blossoms can be attached to paper clips or used to decorate handmade bookmarks.
Common Problems When Making Origami Cherry Blossoms
If the petals look uneven, you may not have lined up the paper properly before folding or cutting. Check the edges before you cut. After opening the flower, use scissors to trim any uneven edges.
If the center looks too thick, use thinner origami paper. It is easier to fold and keeps the middle from looking bulky. Fold and shape the center slowly, pressing it down gently with your fingers.
If the petals don’t open, gently separate the paper layers with your fingers. Follow the crease lines and avoid pulling the petals too hard, as the paper may tear.
Keep your first flower nearby when making another one. You can use it as a guide and change the paper color, size, or petal shape for your next flowers.
