Mother's Day Idea: Easy Origami Dresses

I bought some pretty Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami paper when I first came to Edinburgh in 1999.  Well, that art shop has long since closed and 18 years down the line, I have finally made something with those oh so pretty papers!

Here's the tutorial I followed, it really is very easy, not like the bow or crane ones which make my eyebrows knit!

Supplies

• Box Frame

A lot of companies such as Matalan, Dunelm and Asda sell the frames complete with string and pegs, but the frames are open, with no glass.  I don't like that, so it's easy to make your own.  You just need a box frame, where there is a gap between the glass and back.  If you are framing a single dress, I would recommend the square 23cm Ikea Ribba frame.  For the washing line, I think a wide, triple aperture frame works best.  I have found two frames, one from M&S for £15 and a wider still one from The Range for £5.99.

Marks and Spencer 3 Aperture Photo Frame £15

Triple Deep Box Photo Frame from the Range £5.99

• Background Paper

As my frame was very wide, I didn't have any paper to fit, so I simply spray painted the sheet that came with it.  My local B&Q shut down last year and I bought a massive stash of spray paints at 70% off, woohoo!  The colour I went for was Valspur Spun Sugar.  An A3 sheet should work for the M&S frame.

• Mini wooden craft pegs

These are available in the stationery department of most supermarkets, I got mine in Sainsbury's.  Here's a link to the Hobbycraft ones

• Baker's / Natural  twine

I reused twine from a parcel I received recently.  It's often wildly overpriced, but Hobbycraft are doing 27m balls for 50p.  Alternatively, a length of ribbon would also look very pretty.

• Yuzen / Chiyogami Paper

The best quality paper is made using the same hand silk-screen-printed techniques as the finely patterned kimono cloth known a 'Yuzen' in Kyoto, Japan.  I got a second stash from  here on EBay, let's hope I don't take 18 years to use these!  Amazon sell some with free next day delivery for Prime members here.  In fact, I think any paper with pretty colours or patterns will look great!

Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper from hai-dozo-japan Ebay Seller - £4.10 for 20 sheets

So, even if you've left it late, there's still time to whip up a pretty card or to make a framed washing line of these cute little origami dresses.  I promise they are super easy to make - I even taught my pal from memory using a napkin in a restaurant!