How to Fold the Montroll Dog Base

Many diferent origami animals sit on a Montroll base.

The Montroll "dog" base is a common origami technique that actually serves as the base for other animals as well, including cats, tigers and goats, among others. Developed by origami icon John Montroll, this base will help you start a wide variety of projects, once you know how to assemble it.

Things You'll Need

• Origami paper

Instructions

1. Lay the origami paper turned so it makes a diamond, with the colored side facing up. Fold downward and backward, making a gentle crease. Bring the bottom point up and over toward the right point and then back down. Then bring it up and over to the left point, and back down.

2. Starting with the left side, squash the corner down and then fold over. Fold the top layer of what was the left point back. Then, repeat this process from the right point.

3. Bring the right corner in for a small fold and then up in a squash fold. Then, open the flap and fold it back down. Repeat this from the other side. Finally, fold the bottom point up and under, creasing into place.

References

• Origami USA; Interview with John Montroll; Jan Polish; 1996.
• FishGoth: Thin Cat
• Zingman: Origami XML