How to Fold an Origami Flower

Origami is the art of paper folding, but it's not as easy as it seems. It takes patience and a careful eye to make the folds and creases needed for beautiful origami creatures and objects. This traditional art began in China around the second century A.D., but spread to Japan in the sixth century as a form of fun for children. Although there are plenty of different things you can create with origami, there are only a few kinds of folds you need to know to make intricate designs like this flower.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Fold an Origami Flower

1. Lay the piece of paper down on the table. Fold the paper in half from the bottom left corner to the top right corner, creating a triangle. Make a crease, flattening it with a pencil if necessary, and unfold.

2. Fold the paper in half from the bottom right corner to the top left corner and a crease, creating an "X" in the center of the paper. Unfold the paper.

3. Fold the paper in half from edge to edge starting from the left edge, creating a rectangle. Crease and unfold. Now fold the paper in half again, starting from the top edge, and crease. Unfold.

4. Take the left edge of the paper and fold it so the edge lines up with the crease in the center of the paper. Make a crease and do the same with the right edge. Unfold both sides.

5. Fold the top edge of the paper to the center line and make a crease. Fold the bottom edge up to the center and make a crease. Unfold the paper.

6. Fold each point of the square into the center where the diagonal creases meet. Crease each fold and turn the paper over. Do not unfold the project.

7. Fold each point of the square into the center, where the diagonal creases meet. Crease each fold.

8. Take each point in the center and fold it out toward the outer edge 3/4 of the way and crease well. Do this for all four points and turn the project over.

9. Unfold each little square in the center of the project and crease it. Do it for all four squares. Turn the project over.

10. Fold the project in half from the top edge to the bottom edge and crease. Do the same with the left and right edges, but do not unfold after you have made the crease.

11. Hold your flower between your thumb and index fingers at the top left and right corners and push the corners toward the center. Use your fingers to shape the petals.

Tips & Warnings

• Push a pencil over the edges of your project to make sharp creases.

• Use two-color origami paper if possible. It will be easier to spot which step you're on in case you forget.

• Visit the Origami Instructions website to learn how to fold other types of flowers.

• Failing to make sharp creases may make it harder to complete the later steps of the project.

• Don't be too rough with the paper or you may suffer a paper cut.