How to Make a Kusudama Ball

How to Make a Kusudama Ball

A kusudama ball is a modular origami model made
out of 12 kusudama flowers. In ancient Japanese
culture, kusudama balls were used for incense or
potpourri[1].

While the kusudama ball looks extremely intricate, it is not as
complicated as it looks. This model would make a good table
decoration, or, if you thread it on some string, you can hang it from
the roof. Read on to learn how to make this impressive model.

!! Steps !!

* Just one of the flowers you'll need.Collect the "Things You'll
Need", listed at the bottom of this article.

* Note the position of the glue.Take one of the flowers. Glue
along the middle line of one of its petals.
See where to position the second flower.Take a second flower and
press the middle line of one of its petals on the glue on the
other flower. Press firmly so that the glue can set.

* Secured with a small washing peg.Secure with a very small
washing peg, a paper clip, or even a bobby pin, if you wish.

* Three flowers glued together.Glue along the petals indicated
with red lines on the previous picture. Take a third flower and
press two adjacent petals onto the glue. Secure with pegs.
Four flowers together.Repeat with a fourth and a fifth flower, as
indicated on the picture.

* Five flowers viewed from the top.

Note where you must glue.Take the sixth and final flower. This
one will be the most difficult one to add, for you will have to
glue three petals at the same time. Glue the petals indicated
with red lines on the picture.

* Six flowers glued together.Press three petals of the sixth
flowers onto the glue on the rest of your model. Secure.

* Two halves of six flowers each.Repeat the previous steps with
the other six kusudama flowers, so that you end up with two
identical halves of six flowers each.

* Turn over.Turn both halves over.

* Glue along the red lines.Glue along the lines indicated in red
on the picture. Press these two lines on glue together, so that
your halves start to form a ball. Secure.

* Glue the rest of the petals together.Glue between all the
petals that are now pressing against each other. In the end you
should have glued 10 pairs of petals together.

* Secure each petal as you glue it.Secure all the pairs of
petals. If you are using pins, you should end up with a ring of
pins all round the ball. Beware that the flowers at the bottom do
not press those at the top out of proportion.

* Finished!Let the model dry thoroughly for about a day. Remove
the pegs or pins. You're finished - now find a spot to display
your new decoration!

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Make the kusudama flowers at least a day before you make the ball,
so that the glue has time to set properly.

* Click on any of the pictures to enlarge.

* Experiment with different colours!

!! Warnings !!

* _*This model is not recommended for people with little or no
origami experience for it is of quite an advanced level!*_

* This model takes a long time to make! Do not attempt it if you are
in a hurry.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* Twelve kusudama flowers

* Clear glue - the kind that comes in a tube with a nozzle - a
school glue stick simply won't cut it

* Very small washing pegs or paper clips

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Make a Kusudama Flower

* How to Make an Origami Flower

* How to Make a Simple Origami Lotus Flower

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

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