Being Canadian with a Belgian husband and living in Italy has made it so that I never know when Mother’s or Father’s Day is. I know that it is in different months and on different days for each of the countries and I’ve pretty much mentally blocked all those dates from my mind. I had a feeling father’s Day was coming up so I spent hours with the kids making these origami dress shirt garlands. Then my son proudly announced that he was making me a Mother’s Day gift at school which must mean Father’s Day isn’t for a while (but we’re prepared and ready well in advance!).
These origami garlands are so sweet and my kids were the ones who actually folded the shirts (even my little guy). Origami has become very popular in our home and I’m so glad I brought back that suitcase FULL of origami paper from Japan (despite comments such as “are you sure we need 30 packages of origami paper?”).
I sewed the little shirts together before glueing on the ties and bow ties. You can make these shirts any size you want. My kids have made tiny tiny versions and almost life size versions. When we’re in restaurants they even fold the cloth napkins into these little shirts. It takes under a minute to fold one so you can make loads in a short amount of time.
The kids can hang them up on a doorframe or to put them into an envelope to open on Father’s Day (whenever that may be). You can leave them loose or sew them together like I did. Last year my kids included a pocket and put in really nice messages and poems.
Here’s how to do it yourself! There is one step that will make you want to crumple up the paper, run out of the room and never try origami again but please believe me that once you ‘get” it everything will run smoothly. Hopefully my instructions will help you a little (original pattern idea comes from Martha Stewart Living June 2004). Continue to read for the step-by-step…
My husband was away for the last week so this is what I did during the evenings (it’s moments like these that I kind of wish we had TV). At one point I found myself on the couch at 2am contemplating making mini pocket protectors. Somebody help me.
(Look here for the origami dress garland which is perfect for Mother’s Day!)
Jillian In Italy 
How cute! I wish I had the time to do stuff like this!!
I really like the style of your “craft” blog.
My style of a “craft” blog is different, maybe I’ll try doing something like you do sometime.
Check me out when you get the chance please,
Craftyz
(www.craftyz.wordpress.com)
So cute – I love little projects like this…We don’t have school on Wednesdays in France – so after morning activities I often try to do a craft or project with my girls. Thanks for the walk through – it was very clear and you’re right easy. Thanks!
direct nagemaakt
heeel tof
that looks great. I confuse the dates for mother’s/father’s day too. apparently it was mother’s day 2 days ago, supposedly my first as a mom haha but well. its always mother’s day with a little kid anyway. 🙂 so fun the colors and love the bow-ties and neckties
Really? It was Mother’s Day a few days ago? In what country? My kids seem to think it’s this coming week-end.
Your blog is so amazing, the origami shirt trails are such a great idea…:)
Thanks very much for your Fathers’ Day origami shirt and tie post! I am a Diversional Therapist (ie activities person) in a nursing home and I’m going to try making these shirts to decorate our Dementia ward for Fathers’ Day – lovely idea!
That’s awesome! Should try that during these holidays.
LOVE this! Will be tipping this on my company’s facebook page when Father’s Day is near….
This. Is. Genius. I LOVE it. My Dad’s totally getting this for Father’s Day this year. He’ll hate it but I’ll have so much fun making it that I don’t care xx
I was able to make the dresses easily – the video helped a lot, but I cannot for the life of me get these shirts!! Having trouble with the ‘pinching of the triangle part’ – the part that eventually makes the sleeves. Any further help would be appreciated. Barb
Oh I know that part is really tricky! I’ll make a video of my daughters folding one in the coming days because I think it’s really the best way to see how it’s done. Good luck!
Please post the video. This part has me scratching my head. I even looked up Martha’s directions. Definitely NO help! LOL
Love your mini-folded shirts, but what I love most is your sense of humor!