How to Make a Kusudama Flower

Co-authored by Robert Homayoon

Last Updated: December 8, 2024 Approved

A pretty kusudama flower can be made by folding five or six square pieces of paper. If you make twelve flowers, they can be assembled into a beautiful kusudama ball. Even if you use colorful sticky notes, the result is very impressive and can be used for decorative purposes or even worn as a temporary brooch.

Steps

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It should now look like a triangle.^{[1]
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You should now have formed a square.^{[2]
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The back-folded back edges should line up with the edges of the “square” underneath.^{[3]
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Lift one side triangle, insert a finger to open the pocket inside, and re-flatten it along the crease so that it is expanded into a diamond. Repeat on the other side. If you're feeling confused, take a look at the image for further guidance.^{[4]
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If you open the left area of the folded paper slightly, you’ll see that, underneath the top sheet of paper, there’s a fold that half-covers the diamond underneath. Simply fold the point of the diamond into the body of the shape below the piece of paper that is half-covering it.^{[5]
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The resulting outline should once again be a square.^{[6]
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Using a glue stick may be a good idea because it dries so quickly, but you can also use white liquid glue as shown here.^{[7]
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Squeeze the flaps together so that the glue takes, then pinch the creases together tightly so that the folds protruding into the cone stay somewhat centered. To hold the glued pieces together, secure them with a paperclip.^{[8]
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This seam is where the folded edges meet (where they were glued together previously). Spread out the glue so that the centers of the pieces can stick together securely.
The five cones will make the Kusudama flower’s five petals.
Glue everything together in a circular formation.^{[10]
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Otherwise, the petals risk slipping apart.

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Question

What do I need the paper clips for when I am already using glue?

Community Answer

If you don't use the clips, the flower can fall off very easily while the glue is still drying. The paper clips act as supports. Once the glue dries, you can take the clips off.

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Question

Can I use sticky notes to make a flower?

Community Answer

Yes, because to make the petals, you have to start off with squares - and sticky notes are squares.

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Question

Can I use hot glue instead to make a kusudama flower?

Community Answer

Yes, it may even work better.

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Tips

Stick a pipe cleaner into the bottom of the flower for a colorful stem.

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Make sure your folds are sharp, precise, and crisp. It will give the finished item a clean look.

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You may find that rubber cement or especially 'Krazy' glue dries more quickly (but is harder to work with).

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Before you do step 2, you can fold the triangle in half to make a center crease. Then, step 2 will be much easier.
When using plastic skewers as stems, be careful with hot glue, as it may start melting the skewer.
Mod Podge works great for gluing petals. You can also use hair pins in place of paperclips.

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Warnings

Sticky notes can be difficult to work with (because the folds will stick together).

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Use a cover over your workspace, as it can get messy.

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Watch out for paper cuts!

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Be careful when using an x-acto knife!

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