How to Make an Origami kimono for Flat Doll
July 7, 2009 by Noreen Crone-Findlay
Filed under doll and dolls and dollmaking, tutorial
Here’s the first garment that I have designed and made for the Fanciful Flat Fiber Friend Dolls – an origami kimono.
In this pic, Flora , my FFFF Doll, is modelling the prototype origami kimono that I made from scrap paper.
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Once I was happy with the kimono, I got folding with proper origami paper. I used a 6 inch/15 cm square of origami paper for this kimono. You could easily use a square of decorative paper, or brown paper or wrapping paper or even junk mail!
Fold the piece of paper in half from top to bottom, then open it up, and fold it in half from side to side….
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Then, fold the edges in to center, open, repeat again and again, until you have folded the square into 16 equal squares:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Now, snip a ‘T’ shape for the kimono opening up the center, snipping 5 squares at the center and snip one square at the top of the center line for the front opening:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
To cut the sleeves: Fold the square in half and snip away 4 squares at the lower corners, and snip up one square for ease in the under arm:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Snipping the lower corner of the sleeves into a curve is optional.
To shape the front bands, fold one square’s worth at the front center, on each side of the center front opening:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
And now fold the band in half again:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Now, make a pleat at the center back – this will bring the edges of the center front together:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Now, glue one of the little cut away squares from the corners, into the side back edge of the kimono: (Do this at both sides of the kimono)
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Fold the kimono in half again, and glue the side gussets to the inside front edges of the kimono:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Slip the kimono onto the doll:
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
Squish and squiggle the sleeves down into a pleasing shape: VOILA! She’s got a spiffy new kimono!
Photo by Noreen Crone-Findlay copyright
