Kimono Pins

by Sonia Evans

Materials needed:

• Origami paper or Washi paper
• Paint Brush
• Paper cutter
• Self-stick or regular pin back
• Ruler
• Decoupage Medium
• Pencil
• Optional: mono adhesive and E-6000

Directions:
This is a quick project to do. Drying time might take a little time. You may want to do various pins at one time.

1. Cut a strip of origami or washi paper 6 inches by 2 inches. You can adjust measurements according to the size of the pin you want to make. Cut various strips to make more pins at one sitting. (see strips image above)

2. Place paper design face down and portrait style. Draw lines at 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch from the top.

3. Fold down along the 1/4 inch so that the pattern side shows. Fold again same amount. Keep this part folded to do the next step.

4. Turn paper over. Fold paper in half lengthwise. Make sure fold is crisp. Open again, design side up.

5. Fold down both corners to the middle fold. This will make the collar.

6. Measure and draw a line 3 1/2 inches from the bottom.

Fold back along this line.

7. Measure about 1/8 inch above the collar and fold back this top portion.

8. Fold both outside edges (all layers) toward the edge of the collar. Make sure you have a crisp straight fold. If you see extra white paper stick out after folding, you can carefully cut this small piece out.

9. Open the edges and flatten flap on both sides, forming a white triangle on each side. These are the sleeves of your kimono. Make sure the two fold lines line up as well as the outer edge abutting the collar.

10. Fold back top white part. There should be no white showing as you look at the front of the pin

11. Brush decoupage under the back flap. Press down. Cover the rest of the back with the decoupage and let dry.

***OPTION: You may want to tape down the flap with mono adhesive instead of using decoupage and apply decoupage to the whole back afterwards. If the ends of the sleeves curl, flatten them out. You can also lay it under a book after the whole pin is dry.

12. Turn Kimono over. Apply decoupage to the whole front and let dry. You may want to repeat this process to both sides, only after thoroughly dried.

13. Attach a pin to the back near the top using E-600 or attach a self-stick pin.

*Adapted from Michael's online project sheet, 2000

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