Kirigami beginners guide: What is it and how do you do it?
If you're thinking that the word kirigami sounds a lot like origami then you're not wrong! Because the word kirigami is a modern Japanese word, taking its structure from the paper folding art of origami.
In this article we'll start off by taking a look at the background of kirigami, before going on to our two free kirigami projects for you to try... and if you get really hooked we've also included our favourite projects that are available online too. Read on to find out more or use these handy links to jump ahead.
What is kirigami?
In Japanese, Kiru means to cut and Gami means paper, so it is no wonder that the word kirigami was adopted for this art form. It involves a lot of similar folds as origami, but in kirigami you cut the paper as well as folding it.
Most crafters will have memories of snipping folded paper to make a snowflake at school, or folding paper and cutting figures into it to make chains of characters holding hands. These are both simple kirigami projects, but you can also find kirigami templates to. make elaborate 3d models and architectural shapes.
In the Shinto religion, kirigami is used to decorate homes for special ceremonies, and historically the Chinese art of Jian zhi – the art of paper folding that evolved into kirigami, origami and other paper folding techniques – was mainly practiced in monasteries representing religious forms due to the high cost of paper materials.
Jian zhi and kirigami influenced many of the European paper craft techniques that spread to Europe, including the paper silhouette, shadow portraits and spitzenbuild – the cutting of intricate lace pictures, often by nuns in Switzerland, and considered to be a meditative process.
Whether your aim to is practice mindfulness with an intricate paper cutting kirigami project, or to have some fun making simple paper decorations with a child, you'll find the kirigami product for you in this article – and if you are making paper snowflakes, you should check out our paper christmas decorations post, too!
What materials do I need for kirigami?
Essentially all you need for a kirigami project is some paper and something that lets you make cuts in that paper – a simple pair of scissors would do. More intricate kirigami projects will be easier if you have a kirigami template to follow as well as a craft knife and cutting mat, and perhaps a metal ruler that will help you keep your cut lines straight.
You want a smooth paper without too many visible fibres to help you get nice clean cut lines in kirigami. Homemade paper is not a good option for this, but it is still great fun to make with our how to make paper tutorial!
Instead, try starting out with a 160gsm paper thickness, which is rigid enough to support a folded shape, but not so thick as to create too much bulk in your kirigami project. Origami is typically practised with much thinner paper, but we think 160gsm is a better match for kirigami, especially when you are getting to grips with the kirigami technique.
Why not try out our kirigami bow project below? Or if you want to try out some simple kirigami architecture using a kirigami template, try out our kirigami arch project. We've also included plenty of other kirigami templates and techniques we have found online to help you discover the kirigami project that is right for you.
Blades starting to get a bit dull? Take a look at our pick of the best paper cutting tools, trimmers and knives.
How to make kirigami bows
Try out the kirigami bow using scrap paper to start with, so that you are confident about how to fold and cut the bow before making it with your printed paper.
Step 1
Fold the square diagonally in both directions.
Step 2
Fold the square into quarters.
Step 3
Tuck the two opposite diagonal corners inside.
Step 4
Fold over the top point by 15mm.
Step 5
Open out slightly and tuck the creased square inside.
Step 6
Tuck in the sides and flatten the panel again.
Step 7
Fold the top diagonal edges down to form a mitre as shown.
Step 8
Turn the panel over and fold the top diagonal edges over again.
Step 9
Open up the folded paper until it’s almost flat.
Step 10
Turn over and flatten carefully to create a square in the middle.
Step 11
Turn over and cut down the four folded edges as shown.
Step 12
Lift the bottom point up and place onto the top point.
Step 13
Fold the bottom diagonal edges up to the horizontal fold line.
Step 14
Flip the centre panels and fold down the top edges.
Step 15
Hold both layers together and fold the side edges in as shown.
Step 16
Cut up the centre of the bottom diamond through both layers.
Step 17
Fold the cut edges inwards, then back on themselves again.
Step 18
Turn over and tuck the side point into the square to make the bow.
If you can't get enough of paper-folding, check out our pick of the best origami books!
How to make kirigami archways
If you want to make an architectural kirigami project using a kirigami template, try this brilliant kirigami arch designed by Leela Roy, which was originally published in Creative Thinking from Project Calm.
Our kirigami archway uses clever colour shading and a few simple cuts and folds to create the illusion of looking down a long vaulted corridor.
We’ve given you a choice of sides to show off, either white or blue (you could always copy the kirigami template onto another piece of card if you like), and have incorporated a border that folds round to enclose the archway within its own frame.
This could stand alone on your desk or shelf, but we’ve chosen to put it in a box frame to display on the wall. Viewed from any angle, it plays plenty of tricks on your eyes – the sign of a great kirigami optical illusion!
Step 1
Cut the long solid lines around the outside of the archway – this will form the structure that will make the archway into a box shape. Carefully cut the solid curves of the archway and the long, solid vertical lines.
Step 2
Using the images here as a guide, fold the short, horizontal dotted and solid lines. The dotted lines fold backwards into the ‘back’ of the arch. Use mini tweezers to manipulate the card if it helps.
Step 3
Fold all the dotted lines that frame the arch to make a box structure that sits around the back of the archway.
Step 4
Glue all the flaps to finish the box and push the ‘steps’ of the arch back, then mount in a box frame.
You can use a glue stick for convenience, but for a firmer hold, we recommend a tacky PVA or a glue gun – see our reviews of the best glue guns if you don't have one already!
Make something special for someone you love with our collection of origami paper flowers.
More Kirigami templates to try today
Kirigami chain of children
The chain of figures holding hands is one of the most simple kirigami project you make. This variation gives instructions on adding both boy and girl figures to your sign with a variation on simple folds.
There is no kirigami template for this one, but the step by step kirigami guide does show you how to draw the shapes you need for the kirigami template with a photograph to copy.
Lotus flower kirigami template
What a lovely variation on a kirigami snowflake - this gorgeous lotus flower! It's easy to make make this the free kirigami template and step by step walkthrough from The Kirigami project.
Circle of people kirigami template
These cute kirigami variations keep on coming - check out this lovely circle of people kirigami template from LoveToKnow. Its is super easy to make with just 2 folds!
Use this to decorate any spaces where you want to celebrate people coming together and a united world.
How to make kirigami flowers
There's no kirigami template for this one, but instead you get a Youtube tutorial showing the easy folds and cuts you need to make to create this easy kirigami flower project
Pink Striped Socks shows off two different styles of flower, which would also work wonderfully combined together as a kirigami flower garland!
Layered kirigami flowers
We just love the 3d finish on these kirigami paper flowers from Meaningful Mama. It still uses really simple folds and cuts, and yet, somehow the layered finish makes them look really modern and professional.
We reckon these would make lovely DIY wedding decorations for a happy couple's big day! There is no kirigami template for this make, but the detailed walkthrough should suffice.
And if you want more DIY Wedding makes, check out our DIY wedding craft idea article.
Pop-up kirigami model
Here is one kirigami project that is definitely not a kirigami flower! This pop up kirigami model makes a pretty cool card to send to anyone who enjoys 3d paper creations.
Ullagami supply both a free pop up kirigami tutorial and a video walkthrough showing how to get the model formed in all its 3d magnificence!
Kirigami castle
You can use the kirigami template from Creative Blog to cut this beautiful pop up castle!
The fold element helps different parts of the cut design sit on different planes which gives you a brilliant 3d finish, which looks oh-so-special when illuminated like this.
Kirigami Escher stairs
Pay homage to the master of mathematical art - M.C. Escher – with this stunning staircase kirigami project. You'll find the kirigami template and instructions on Instructables.com
Kirigami Moai statue of Easter Island
Okay, okay - we know most kirigami projects are meant to be made from a single piece of paper, and this kirigami Easter Island head is actually composed of four different folded and cut sections – but we just cannot resist this modern take on kirigami!
Rather than a kirigami template you get a kirigami printable, where the shapes you need are printed with the stone effect texture as print too, as well as a folding and assembly guide which make it super easy to put together.
Heart garland kirigami kit
This heart garland Kirigami kit on Pocket Wren's Etsy store is a lovely way to take your first steps in kirigami with all the materials and resources you need to make your first project.
Take your knife skills even further with these beautiful paper cutting templates.
Keep calm and kirigami
The beauty about kirigami is it can be vary from surprisingly simple to incredibly complex. It's wise to start off with one of the simpler projects first before moving onto epic sculptural pieces, remember that going slow and steady is the key with papercraft projects.
Folding therapy
Paper cutting and folding is not only a fun craft past-time, but it's also great for your mental health too. Discover how the ancient craft of origami could be the key to finding your calm.
