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About Origami Techniques

To help you make sense of the lines and arrows on the drawings, you should study the explanations of a few basic techniques. It will be well worth a few minutes to learn to recognize the following procedures which are international standards for origami.

Basic Procedures

1. Valley Fold

In general, you can fold paper toward you or away from you. In origami, the forward crease is called a valley fold. In the diagrams it is shown by a line of dashes.

Fold the square in half by bringing one edge of the paper toward you and matching it to the opposite edge.

You have made a valley fold.

With this one simple fold you have made a greeting card.

2. Mountain Fold

When you crease paper to the back, away from you, it’s called a mountain fold. In the diagrams it is shown by a line of dashes and dots.

Fold the square in half by guiding one edge of the paper to the back and matching it to the opposite edge.

You have made a mountain fold.

With this one simple fold, you have made a tent.

3. Existing Crease

A crease made previously is shown in the diagrams by a thin line that does not touch the edges.

4. Arrows

In the drawings you will see four kinds of arrows. They indicate the direction in which to fold.

Make a valley fold

Make a mountain fold

Double Arrow — Fold and unfold the same crease.

Curly Arrow — Turn the paper over.

5. Reverse Fold

One of the most common moves is called a reverse fold.

1. Fold a small square from corner to corner.

2. Place the paper exactly as shown. Fold the top corner over to the right, so that it peeks over the open edge.

3a. Let the paper open up, and swing the corner of the paper in between the two layers of paper on the crease you made in step 2.

3b. Close up the paper.

4. Completed reverse fold.

The instructions for making a reverse fold are indicated with a dash-dot-dash line, the same as for a mountain fold, but the text states that you must make a reverse fold.

You may wonder why this procedure is called a ”reverse” fold: In step 2 you see that the doubled paper is made up of a mountain fold on the front layer and a valley fold on the back layer. After you have pushed the corner in between the two layers of paper in step 3 you have “reversed” the valley fold into a mountain fold.

How to Cut Paper Squares

Many of the projects in this book begin with a square piece of paper. All sides are of equal length and all corners are right (90-degree) angles. Paper can be squared on a board paper cutter, if available, but it’s quite easy to cut any rectangular sheet into a square:

1. Fold a short edge to a long edge.

2. Cut off the extra rectangle.

3. A square.

Letter-size sheets of 8½" x 11" copy and other printing papers can be cut into two sizes:

✱ With one cut, you will have squares with 8½" sides.

✱ With two cuts, you will have two squares with 5½" sides.

Copy shops will usually cut a whole ream of paper for a small fee. A ream will provide five hundred 8½" squares or a thousand 5½" squares.

Helpful Tips

If you are having trouble with a step, check the following:

1. Make sure you distinguish carefully between a valley fold (dashed line) and a mountain fold (dash-dot-dash line).

2. Be sure to observe the curly arrow asking you to turn the paper over.

3. Compare your paper to the illustrations for:

✱ the step you are working on;

✱ the step before; and

✱ the next one, which is your goal.

4. Read the directions out loud.

Instruction Basics

Diagrams

The darker shading on the diagrams indicates the colored side of the paper, if you are using paper which is colored on one side only.

For the sake of clarity, the illustrations may increase in size from the beginning of the project to the end. But the angles are always consistent, and you can test your own paper against them.

Measurements

Measurements are given in inches and centimeters, but they may not always be exactly equal, in order to avoid awkward fractions. In some cases specific sizes are recommended, but in most cases you may use smaller or larger pieces of paper.

Degree of Difficulty

On a scale of difficulty the projects vary from simple to intermediate.

About Paper

Mostly fairly thin, uncoated papers with a crisp surface are suitable for origami. Check out “origami” on the internet for suppliers of specialty papers. Once you know how to fold an origami model you may want to reproduce it with a paper in a more appropriate color or design, which can make a big difference to the end result.

The following is an overview of the papers most popular with paperfolders.

Origami Paper

Ready-cut squares in varying sizes and colors are available in some art supply, gift, and museum stores, and from catalogs. They are usually colored on one side and white on the other. I recommend 6" (15 cm) as the most versatile all-purpose size. From there you can go on to smaller and larger squares as appropriate for a particular design.

Computer and Bond Papers; Printing Paper in Bright Colors

These types of paper are available in a large assortment of colors at copy shops, office supply stores, and school suppliers. They are sold in sizes of 8½" x 11" in packages of 500 sheets (a ream), and are available in two weights, described on the package wrapping as 20 lbs and 24 lbs. The lighter weight folds more easily. Printing papers are most economical for schools, youth groups, and other large groups.

Gift Wrap Paper

When planning party decorations, the careful choice of gift wrap paper can add individuality. It is quite difficult to cut paper on rolls into squares, but well worthwhile for special results. Foil gift wrap instantly turns any origami model into a festive ornament.

Handmade Papers

This type of paper is softer, but gives rich-looking results. Japanese washi paper in glorious patterns is available in sheets or packages of squares.

Paper Colored on Both Sides

Some projects look better when made from paper that is colored on both sides, such as printing papers. Duo-colored origami squares, sold in packets, have different colors on the front and the back. You can make your own fancy duo papers by gluing sheets of gift wrap or other papers back to back with spray adhesive or glue sticks.

Large Papers

Large sheets of paper are sold in art supply and craft stores, school supply stores, mail order catalogs, and on the Internet. Most large cities have a store with a mouthwatering selection of papers.

Recycled Paper

Out-of-date flyers, colorful magazine pages, and other discarded paper can be cut into squares and folded into party decorations.