How to Make a Kanzashi (folded Fabric) Flower Pin

These make lovely pins or hair clips. A couple of these make a nice gift by themselves or as package topper. (This tutorial was originally posted by me on Craftster.)

You will need:
Fabric remnant
Matching thread
Sewing needle
Decorative button or earring for center
Glue gun and glue sticks
Pin back or hair clip

Cut your fabric into squares. The size of the square determines the size of your flower. You can use all the same size or different sizes in the same flower. I chose to use 3 1/2 inch and 2 1/2 inch squares and alternated them in my flower for variety. The number of squares you will need will also vary depending on how many petals you want and how thick your fabric is. The flower in this demo uses 7 large and 7 small squares of light weight cotton fabric.

Fold a square in half diagonally, right side facing out.

Fold it again diagonally in half.

Holding it in your left hand with the side made of two folded edges up, push the corner of the other side up between the two wings and fold to create an even smaller triangle.

If you are confused at this point, you can also try an alternative method. Follow this link. Follow steps 1 and 2 from this origami instruction, then fold in half so that triangular flaps are on the outside.

You should have a triangle with raw edges on one side, two folded edges on another side and three folded edges on the last side. With the three folded edges up, we need to fold the outer wings up so that their edges are flush with the others.

Sew through all layers at the raw edge end. When I say sew, I mean just stick the needle in and pull it out the other side, do not actually make any stitches.

Cut the excess raw edge off of the longer flaps. They will just get in your way later when assembling more petals.

Continue on to the next petal, stacking them up and cutting off the ends. Then the hard part is over and it wasn't even that hard. You will notice that the petals have an A side and a B side. Either side can be the good side, it gives you options. But unless having two different looking petals as your plan, make sure when stringing them together that they are all the same side up.

*Tip- When stringing your petals, you use the same technique as stringing popcorn for garland. Don't tie off between each one, this will lead to mess and is just too much work when it can be done so much more easily. When you have the right amount strung on the thread, you can bring the two ends of the thread together, arrange your petals and tie the two ends together, but not too tightly lest the flower shrivel up and go wonky.

This flower took 7 small and 7 large petals. You can use as many as you like. When you have enough petals strung together, just tie off your thread. I like to make a glob of hot glue and dab it into the center of the back, this gives the flower more stability and it will keep its shape. Then on top of this glob, I place my pin back or hair clip.

*Tip- Yes, there will be a hole. It is ok. This allows your flower to be more circular and regular-looking. We deal with the hole in this manner: Fill with hot-glue blob, cover pretty side with a button, large sequin, felt flower, bottle cap, knocked-out tooth, picture of your dog, a penny, a ribbon rosette, anything. And put your pin back/hair clip into the back of the glue blob, thus anchoring it securely and safely in the gentle caress of the hot-glue.

Then put something cute on the center front to disguise the hole. Get creative! Buttons, old clip-on earrings with the backs removed, appliqués and felt shapes are some ideas to get you started. Anything you can hot glue or sew on will do nicely.