How to Fold an Origami Bird Base

The origami bird base is a standardized set of basic folds used as a starting point for creating more complicated origami models. One of the most popular thing to fold with this base is--maybe you guessed it--birds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Origami paper

1. 

   Start with an origami square base. See Related How Tos for a link to directions for the origami square base.

2. 

   Fold both bottom edges of the upper diamond in to the middle crease.

3. 

   Fold the top of the diamond down as far as the previous folds allow. Crease along the top.

4. 

   Unfold the last three folds you just made.

5. 

   Begin a petal fold by lifting the top flap of the creased diamond shape.

6. 

   Tuck the right edge of the exposed paper in toward the middle, folding along the creases you've already made.

7. 

   Tuck the left edge in toward the middle along the existing creases, too. Everything should lay flat.

8. 

   Turn the paper over.

9. 

   Bring the bottom edges in to the vertical center crease, then fold the top of the diamond shape down, as in Steps 2 and 3 above.

10. 

    Unfold the creases you just made.

11. 

    Petal fold this side, just as in Steps 5, 6 and 7. You now have a completed origami bird base.