How to Make Basic Origami Folds

Origami is an ancient Japanese art of paper folding. Taking a piece of paper, you can fold it and manipulate it into something striking. You can make a classic swan or an intricate dragon, all with different folds and bends of the paper. Learning the basic folds is your first step to learning this fascinating art form.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Origami Paper

1. Learn the difference between a fold and a crease. A crease is making a fold and then opening it back up. A fold stays shut.
2. Discover the valley and mountain folds. The valley fold is when you fold the paper towards you. When you perform a mountain fold, you fold the paper away from you, forming a mountain in your origami paper.
3. Perform the squash fold. This is a more complicated basic fold. Use a triangle base, bring the top point into the bottom point, squash out the sides and fold.
4. Study the inside reverse fold. This complicated basic fold is when you take any fold, open it up and bring your fold inside the paper.
5. Do the crimp fold. The crimp fold is a double reverse fold, or a pleat. It can be done inside or outside.
6. Practice each fold. Folds that are more complicated are combinations of basic folds. They may be complicated at first, but with time and practice, you will master them.

Tips & Warnings

• Find someone who can show you the different folds and techniques. Often it is easier to see the folds done in person and have someone to ask if you have done the fold correctly.