You will fall in love with this charming origami dress! Once you fold your first one, you’ll probably find yourself creating an entire wardrobe of these delightful paper dresses. Who wouldn’t want a closet full of such adorable miniature fashion?
This origami dress captures the essence of 1950s style with its fitted bodice and flared skirt. The design is both elegant and playful, making it perfect for various crafting projects. Since it folds completely flat, you can use it to embellish an Artist Trading Card (ATC), incorporate it into an origami greeting card, or create seasonal displays.
About the Designer
This beautiful origami dress was designed by José Meeusen, a prolific origami artist from The Netherlands. José has a wonderful talent for creating charming, practical designs that appeal to folders of all skill levels. In another post, we shared her lovely origami Hen Basket as well, showcasing her versatility in design.
Seasonal Fashion Collection
Why not start your dress collection by choosing paper patterns that represent each season of the year? As shown in the image above, you can create a complete seasonal wardrobe:
- Spring: Delicate floral patterns in soft pinks and greens
- Summer: Vibrant tropical prints with bold colors
- Fall: Warm earth tones with geometric patterns
- Winter: Classic navy with white polka dots or other winter motifs
Tips and Suggestions for Making the Origami Dress
Paper Selection:
- The dress is demonstrated using thin kami paper (known in the U.S. as “origami paper”), but don’t limit yourself to just one type
- Gift-wrapping paper works beautifully and often comes in seasonal patterns
- Pages from old magazines can create unique, vintage-look dresses
- For the most striking effect, choose paper where each side has different colors or patterns
Size and Preparation:
- A 6×6 inch (15×15 cm) square works perfectly for this project
- Cut your square in half to create two equal rectangles—each rectangle makes one dress
- If your chosen paper only has the appropriate design on one side, simply color or decorate the reverse side yourself with markers, colored pencils, or paint
Crafting Tips:
- Work on a clean, flat surface for the crispest folds
- Take your time with the shaping—the dress’s charm lies in its proportions
- Consider making multiple dresses in different sizes for a varied display
Creative Uses
Beyond simply admiring your paper fashion collection, these origami dresses can be used in numerous ways:
- Greeting card decorations for birthdays, fashion-themed parties, or just because
- Scrapbook embellishments
- Gift tags with a personal touch
- Miniature art displays
- Teaching tools for discussions about fashion history or paper folding
The beauty of this design lies not just in its final appearance, but in the joy of the folding process itself. Each dress you create will have its own personality based on the paper you choose and the care you put into the folds.
Ready to start your origami fashion collection? Gather your papers and let’s fold some fabulous fifties fashion!
How to make José’s Dress
Share your folds with the group on Facebook.