Origami Flower Ball Tutorial

Kusudama is a paper ball made out of multiple identical origami shapes glued together. They were traditionally used as incense or potpourri but now we see them more for decoration or as a gift.  There are many different patterns to make a kusudama ball but this is one of the easiest for beginners.

Supplies needed for this Kusudama:

      **60  pieces of paper cut into squares. Any size will work, it depends on what size ball you want.  I used 6 inch squares for my finished product, you will see later.

      ** Craft Glue

You will see how to make the basic shape. Every flower will have 5 of these shapes or petals glued together, making a total of 12 flowers. Sixty petals all together, I know this sounds like a lot but do it while you watch TV or a movie, it goes by quickly.  It’s actually relaxing for me.  Some of these photos are kinda dark, sorry 'bout that.

 

1. Fold the bottom corner to the top.  This will make a triangle.

 

2. Fold the left and right corners up to the middle corner.  This makes a square.

 3. Fold the same points down. The folded edge will line up exactly on top of the outside edge of the square. 

 4. The trickiest step, stay with me > Open up the flaps you have just created and flatten them.  You have to seperate the two pieces of paper, pull out the folds.

 This is how it will look from the back.

 5. Fold the top triangles towards you so they are level with the edges of the paper.

 6. Fold the triangles back using the crease you made earlier and glue the outside triangles (X) together. 

 7. Now make 5 more of these petals and glue them all together. Make sure you wait until the glue is dry after every petal and take your time. 

         8. You can use different patterned paper as well to make your flowers!   You will need 12 flowers to complete the kusudama ball.

 Here's my finished one.  I glued a string into the center of the ball, halfway thru gluing my 12 flowers together, to have the option of later hanging. 

 ENJOY!!!!