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Origami hanging decorations

I love these little origami decorations and absolutely smothered my Christmas tree in them last year (mainly because I was worried about my boys getting their mitts on the glass baubles).

Origami hanging decorations

They are so delightful and all you need to make them are paper and thread (beads optional). These are obviously too hard for little ones to make but, if you’ve got older kids, set them to work!!

Origami hanging decorations

They are made with two interlocking components (pictured above) and I think would be perfect for any occasion – just change the paper to suit.

Origami hanging decorations

If you wanna know how to make these simple and quick decorations then click the ‘read more’ link below.

Origami hanging decorations

Off topic: For those of you who liked the Lion ‘color-me-in’ there is now a Crocodile ‘color-me-in’ available to download on that post.

How to

Origami hanging decorations

1 & 2. First of all you need to take a square piece of paper and fold an origami square base. Each square I used measured 7.5 x 7.5cm.
3. Take your base and fold the outside edges into the middle and crease well.
4. Turn over and repeat.
5. Fold the bottom corner up and crease well.
6. Turn over and repeat.
7. Press outside edges towards one another and crease.
8. Take another square of paper and repeat steps 1 – 7.
9. Slide two components together so that they interlock.

Please leave a comment below if you have any problems.

28 thoughts on “Origami hanging decorations

  1. Thanks, they really are cute little decorations – easy too. Hope the rain clears up cuvee. I wish I could speak Italian – thank goodness for google translate!

  2. Hi Kate…I think you just have to have the knack iykwim? Precise folding helps…as does practice. If you get a couple of the points in you can then pull up the flaps created in steps 6&7 to get the others in. Hope that makes sense???

  3. So pretty and simple!

    I, too am having trouble sliding the two parts together. I noticed that in picture 8, that the piece on the left has the white flap but the piece on the right does not. Am assuming that you’re not matching up the “flapped” sides to slide together. I think I might stick to folding cranes. =)

  4. Hi T. No you don’t match up the flapped sides. Each unflapped side tucks under a flapped side.

    Sorry to hear you are finding it tricky…..I actually find these easier (and quicker) to make than cranes…maybe it’s just practise.

  5. Yes, the actual folding part is much easier than cranes although I do need to work on the precision. I think it’s just the interlocking part that I need more practice on. I’ll keep trying. Thanks!

    And I love your site. Am adding you to my google reader so I can get crafty like my Mom was with me — inspired by my Mom and instructed by you. Thank you for sharing your ideas.

  6. Success! Used foil origami paper the first time around. Regular origami paper interlocked much easier.

  7. Hi Heidi – forgot to mention that! Yeah, before assembling the two pieces I just poked some thread through the end using a needle. I just threaded the beads on afterwards. You can always secure them with a bit of glue if you want.

  8. is it possible to make a small video of how to make this beautiful decoration, or atlest the interlocking stage ?? In fact , at least , could someone tell me in detail how to interlock it – do i just insert all four courners into the gaps between the corners of the second one?

  9. Where can I get my hands on that gawjus origami paper you’ve used to make these little kites?

    They look so beautiful.

    I love your blog.

    🙂

  10. I have assembled similar items before but have absolutely what you do in step 7? What outside edges get “pressed” toward each other and creased? Thanks for your help…

  11. Never mind, I just misinterpreted the pic in 7 – looked like the “legs” were narrower than they had been. Cute and simple ornament!

  12. I don’t understand, this is wierd why don’t they interlock is this supposed to be some gay boogie machine!

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