How to make Kusudama flower balls

Everyone has heard of origami and some people have heard of 3D Origami, but have you heard of Kusudama?

From the japanese meaning ‘medicine ball’, kusudama flower balls were historically just that- balls of real flowers and herbs used as potpourri and incense. Nowadays they are made from paper and often given as gifts or for decoration.

On our Pinterest board I’ve pinned lots of examples from Etsy:

Kusudama flower balls are made from square pieces of paper. I like to use patterned or vintage paper for my flower balls and I have some old sheet music which is perfect!

How to make a kusudama flower ball

Fold the square of paper in half so it is triangle shape.

Fold one bottom corner up to the top

Repeat with other side

Fold these flaps back on themselves

Repeat with other side

Unfold and open up from the inside. Squash flat using a squash fold.

Repeat the squash fold with the other side. Then fold down the flaps.

Do this on both sides

Fold these flaps in half

Curve the piece together so the two inside flaps meet and glue in place. Make 4 more of these petal units and glue them all together!