Sometimes in Japanese restaurants, one is given an adorable little chopstick sleeve with a paper doll that has a toothpick for a head. I have been charmed by these since the first time I saw one as a child. This is a pattern that I created for making what I affectionately call a “Toothpick Lady”. The instructions are listed below. Click on the first photo to see the captioned instructions and then click on the right hand arrow to move through the steps. This project would be perfect for impressing your friends at your next Japanese themed dinner party. Let us know how yours turned out and ask us any questions if you run into trouble in the comment section. Happy folding!
For this project you will need:
8.5 X 11 inch sheet of plain paper. You can use printer paper or something more pretty.
15 X 15 cm sheet of patterned origami paper. You can use other patterned paper, cut to the correct size but make sure it is square!
5 X 5 cm sheet of solid colored origami paper. Again, you can use non origami paper, cut to the correct size but make sure it is square!
1.5 X 1 inch piece of black crepe paper
Toothpick with two grooved lines at the top
Scissors
Glue
Ruler
Chopsticks
Sewing thread
Gather all the things you will need.
Place 8.5 X 11 paper vertically on work surface.
Fold 3/4 inches in on the right side.
Fold 2.5 inches in on the left side.
Fold right side over left side.
Fold triangle up at bottom edge.
Fold previous triangle up to create a second triangle.
Glue side seam and bottom triangle.
Place patterned origami paper plain side up on work surface.
Fold paper in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold opposite side in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold 1st corner into center.
Fold 2nd corner into center.
Fold 3rd corner into center.
Fold 4th corner into center.
Turn paper so one corner points up and place toothpick in center of paper.
Fold left side of paper over toothpick as shown.
Fold right side of paper over left as show.
Doll should now look like this.
Fold top piece back as shown.
Fold bottom piece back as shown.
Glue flaps down.
Place solid origami paper colored side down on work surface.
Fold in half.
Unfold previous step.
Fold lower half up to line.
Fold upper half down to line.
Place middle of solid piece on front of doll folded side facing down and glue.
Turn doll over.
Fold right side over doll’s back as shown.
fold left side corner down in triangle as shown.
Fold left side over right side as shown and glue down.
Remove toothpick from doll and put with crepe paper.
Roll crepe paper around toothpick lengthwise just above lower groove.
Wrap thread around upper groove in toothpick and knot.
Trim thread.
Fold crepe paper over knotted side and pinch the top of toothpick.
Gently spread bottom edges of crepe paper.
Insert toothpick back into doll.
Glue doll to sleeve. Do not glue doll’s hair.
Finished sleeve should look like this.
Put chopsticks in sleeve.
Finished!
You could make a slip in one of the flaps, put a ribbon thrugoh it, tape it on the inside (and secure the slip too to prevent it ripping open)and just fold the ribbon around and tuck the end of it under the folded ribbon to keep it in place. (It is hard to explain this clearly 😉 )Great website btw! I use your ideas to come up with other ideas 😉
I’m glad you like the website and are enjoying the tutorial.