Momigami Flowers
Transform magazines and napkins into beautiful flowers for embellishments. Momigami is a traditional Japanese paper kneading technique that alters paper by crumpling to create a flexible fabric like effect that is soft and durable. It can be treated with konnyaku starch to strengthen the fibers. This paper fabric is suitable for various artistic and craft applications. These dimensional flowers combine colorful napkins with momigami paper made from magazines. Water torn edges enhance the fabric effect of the layered circles creating colorful wispy flowers.
You’ll just need magazine images, napkins, up to six gradated circle shapes, water and glue to create each flower. If you don’t have gradated circle clay cutters which resemble cookie cutters you can use lids or empty tape dispenser rolls.
After kneading your magazine image to achieve the desired softness choose your co-ordinating napkin and separate each ply or layer. Be gentle when kneading your paper, knead, smooth and knead again. You may have to do this up to 50 times depending upon the type of paper you choose. When it begins to feel soft like cotton it is finished. If you begin to get small holes stop kneading, you have weakened the fibers too much.
Dip your circle cutters in water and place on either the magazine or the napkin allowing enough time to soften the paper. The magazine will take longer and might need additional water applications. Gently tear around your circle shape to remove your circle cut out. For more strength choose your momigami paper for the first circle and then alternate. Layer and glue each circle with just a dot of glue in the center and give a light press to shape your flower slightly. If you desire you can make a paper bowl to give your flowers more dimension as shown in the video. Remove the finished flower immediately from your surface as it might stick from the glue that soaks through each layer. Turn upside down or place on a non stick surface to dry.
To achieve a more dimensional look double each layer. Enjoy your beautiful flowers as is or embellish the center further. These delicate paper flowers are perfect for journals as they are not as bulky as fabric. They can be used to to add a lovely touch to any paper craft project.
Happy paper crafting!
