Origami Flower Tutorial

you can wear sophisticated and elegant handmade leather flowers as hair accessories or jewelry, embellish a bag or belt, or fix them to stems of wire or dowel to make an unusual - and permanent - bouquet.

You don't need much equipment to start making leather flowers - just leather, scissors, water, and possibly a hole punch and waxed thread, or some rubber cement.

Making simple leather flowers - cut and stack

The simplest way to make a leather flower is to cut out rings of petals and stack them in layers, fixing in the centre with glue or stitches.

Fold a piece of paper into segments - as many segments as you want petals - as if you were cutting a paper snowflake, and cut out whatever petal shape you like. Open up the paper, and trace the flower shape you just cut out onto the reverse side of your leather, then cut out the shape with sharp scissors. Now repeat the process, this time making a smaller flower shape. Add as many layers as you want, then either glue them together, or punch holes right through and secure the layers together with a few stitches in waxed thread. A cute bead or button makes a nice centre for this type of flower.

How to make moulded leather flowers

Sophisticated 3D leather flowers can be made by moulding. Moulding leather involves soaking the leather until it is pliable enough to be shaped with the hands or over a form.

To make moulded leather flowers, begin by making a petal pattern. The shape of the pattern depends on the flower you are making.

Trace your pattern onto the back of the leather, and cut out.

Put your leather pieces into warm water to soak until they are completely saturated and somewhat squishy to the touch. If you find you have stiff dry spots, work them with your fingers until soaked through. When the leather is soaked, lay it between a folded soft cloth and press out the excess water.

Now you're ready to mould your flowers. Work the leather with your hands, moulding, creasing, stretching and rolling into the desired shape. You can tie your pieces with string to help them retain their shape while they dry, but don't tie it so tightly as to mark the leather.

Leave the pieces to dry completely. You can use a little heat from a hairdryer if they are taking a long time, but be careful as this can make your leather dry and brittle.

When all your pieces are dry, glue or stitch them together as required. Simple as that.