How to Make Origami Books

Making actual origami books out of a single sheet of origami paper--with pages that turn freely--is a challenge for the accomplished folder who can perform an outside reverse fold and petal folds with consistency. Make sure to use large origami paper for this model, or you'll find it nearly impossible to fold. You also need to take great care to make your creases sharp and tidy--this will help the finished product be sharp and tidy, too.

Things You'll Need

• Origami paper

Instructions

1. 

   Start with a sheet of square origami paper, colored side down. Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge, crease and unfold. Then fold the top edge in to the middle line, crease and unfold. Do the same with the bottom edge--remember to unfold. Finally, bring the top and bottom edge down to the nearest creases and fold.

2. 

   Accordion fold the raw edges in to the middle of the paper, as shown in the photo.

3. 

   Fold the left edge diagonally so that it meets the upper edge, crease and unfold. Next, fold the same edge diagonally down to meet the lower edge of the paper, crease and unfold. Finally, fold the same left edge underneath the paper, placing the vertical crease exactly where the diagonal lines crossed. Your pattern of creases should resemble those in the photo.

4. 

   Open the paper all the way--white side still up--and collapse the creases you just made as shown in the photo.

5. 

   Collapse the paper all the way flat and fold the right side diagonally upward so that its edge lines up with the folded edge on the left side as in the photo.

6. 

   Do an outside reverse fold along the creases you just made so that both sides of the origami model resemble the picture.

7. 

   Spread the long flap open. This will only work if you made your outside reverse fold properly.

8. 

   Fold the upper flap down and crease.

9. 

   Perform a petal fold, lifting the flap you just folded and pulling the paper underneath it out, then flattening along the crease you'd just made. Because you're dealing with a squared-edge on the paper you get a flat-ended petal, as in the photo, instead of a pointy one.

10. Fold the wider flap you just created up to the line of the paper beneath it, crease, then unfold. Note the new crease in the photo.

11. Perform another petal fold as before, ending with mostly white paper facing up. Then fold the top edge down twice, about 1/4 inch each time.

12. Bring the newly folded upper edge down to the lower edge and crease.

13. Turn the paper over. Fold the left edge in twice toward the pleated middle, then tuck it under the outermost white square of the pleats as in the photo. This is the front cover of your book.

14. Fold and tuck the right edge in toward the middle--this is the back cover of your completed origami book.