When I taught my “High-End Embellishments” class last weekend, I added a new fabric origami design to my usual curriculum. The “Primrose” pattern is simple and quick to fabricate. I used this origami design on a job that I completed last winter – box pleated drapery panels and scalloped valances with origami accents. We needed 27 origami pieces, so I wanted something that would look good, but not take too long to make. Here’s the finished product:
Covered buttons and contrast welt add beautiful detailing.
The tan fabric was a polyester faux silk. The red was dupioni silk.
A red bead was added to the center of each origami piece.
As a special gift to my client, I made a coordinating pillow with hand guided free-motion quilting in a pattern of interlocking circles. The background behind the origami is stippled to provide a contrasting texture.
All of the fabric origami techniques that I use come from a book called Flower Origami by Kumiko Sudo. I highly recommend it. In my instructions for you here, I’ve altered her original technique in a few places to make construction a little more efficient.
So, for those of you who haven’t been able to make it to a weekend class, here’s a little taste of Summerhill …
Use natural fabrics such as silk or cotton.
1– Cut two squares 8” x 8”. Draw a 7” circle on the wrong side of the lighter fabric square.
2– Using a short stitch length, sew on the drawn line the whole way around the circle. Trim the seam allowance to a scant 1/4”.
3– Cut a small (about 1”) slit for turning the piece right side out. It should be located about 3/4” away from the center. In this example, the slit is in the lighter fabric.
4– Turn the circles right side out, being careful to have a smooth curved edge. Press.
5– Find the center of the circle by folding in quarters and marking a center dot. Starting at the left side of the circle, fold the curved edge inward to the center. Press lightly.
6– Repeat with the other three edges, pressing each side in place.
Open out the last corner and tuck the fabric under the first fold.
You should have a perfect square.
7– Stitch each piece where they meet in the center. Your stitches will go through to the back of the circle.
8– Open out each corner fully, pulling the fabric upright.
9– Flatten each corner, forming diagonal lines radiating out from the center to the corners. Press lightly.
10– Fold back the curved edge at each corner to reveal more contrast fabric. Hand stitch the fold down, or use a tiny dot of low-temp hot glue under the fold.
Origami flowers can be used to embellish window treatments, pillows, ottomans, purses, and quilts. They also make beautiful Christmas ornaments. Give it a try!
4 Comments
These are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Great idea Leslie !!
Love love love! Definitely going to have to give this a try – thanks for sharing a tutorial! Such a beautiful idea to incorporate the flowers into the curtains! Very elegant.
(I know this is an old post but I just had to leave a comment on how much I loved it hehe!)
muy bello trabajo ,gracias por compartir .PAZ Y AMOR