How to Make Origami Hawaiian Shirt

Written By azserted Sunday, November 21, 2021 Add Comment Edit

Good morning! Over the last few weeks, I have been working on several projects that kept me busy on my computer. I have to say it feels SO good to get back to crafting by hand! While I love creating on my computer and am constantly amazed by all it can do, there is something so wonderful about using your hands to create something tangible.

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I have lots of fun projects I'll be posting this month, including a few more origami paper projects. I pretty much fell in love with making the bowling shirt treat boxes I made last month for Father's Day and couldn't resist making a few more origami shirt crafts. I have two more to share with you, starting with this Hawaiian Shirt Paper Banner! The Hawaiian shirt is made in a similar way to the bowling shirts, except it is kept flat and not turned into a treat box! I found this wonderful mini paper stack at Michaels called "Tropical Life" with patterns that reminded me so much of vintage Hawaiian shirts that I couldn't wait to create some!

Origami Hawaiian Shirt Paper Banner Tutorial!

Below is the tutorial for making this Hawaiian Shirt Paper Banner! It is a quick DIY, and once you get the first shirt made, the rest is just repeating! I chose to hang my shirts on a "clothing line" with mini gold clothespins. I'm ready to host my own little luau!

Supplies Needed for Hawaiian Shirt Paper Banner

Decorative paper in tropical prints – each shirt uses a 4″ x 6″ sheet of paper
- I used the Tropical Life Paper Pad 6″ x 6.5″ by Recollections I bought at Michaels Crafts Store
Mini buttons
String or bakers twine
Mini clothespins

Start with a sheet of paper that measures 4″ x 6″. I used a stack of paper that measured 6″ x 6.5″, so I cut each piece down to size.

*One of the nice things about using a mini stack of paper is that the patterns are smaller, which works well for these mini shirts!

Fold it in half lengthwise. Then open it back up and fold the left and right sides into the middle.

Turn it over to the back and score at 5/8″ and at 3 5/8″ from the top. The back is the side that doesn't open up.

*You can definitely make these origami shirts without measuring and marking. I measure because I want each shirt to look the same since they will be strung all together.

Fold the top down along the 5/8″ score line towards the back.

Turn to the right side to create the sleeves. Mark a tiny dot 1 5/8″ up from the bottom on the center line. Fold on the diagonal from the dot you just marked out to each corner as shown below.

To create the collar, mark 5/8″ down from the top on the center line. Fold both of the top corners to this line.

Now bring the bottom of the shirt up, folding along the 3 5/8″ fold line you made at the beginning, and tuck it underneath the collar points. The shirt is finished! The collar will hold everything in place.

I added three little buttons to the front of the shirt, but you can also leave them as is.

Origami Hawaiian Shirt Paper Banner Tutorial!

Clip them to a long piece of yarn, twine or ribbon using mini clothespins. They look so cute hanging in a line!

I have always loved palm trees, but since I don't live anywhere warm enough to have them outside, I love having tropical things indoors. I'll have to remember to bring this little Hawaiian shirt banner out this winter when it's -10 degrees out and snowing!!

I'll be back soon with an awesome project for a children's room! Also, in just two weeks, we'll be celebrating Harry Potter here on the blog. Every last week of July is Harry Potter week where I'll be posting new DIY projects for Potter fans! I can't wait to share them! :)