Fold (or unfold) the paper to form an angle of the specified degree.
Hold the model at the location indicated by the circle.
Blow a puff of air in the direction of the arrow.
After looking over the group of symbols, you may be wondering how they are used together. So, here’s a sneak preview. The following are examples of how line and arrow symbols are combined to make the folds and creases that you learned about earlier:
valley fold:
valley crease:
mountain fold:
mountain crease:
FOLDING TIPS
Let’s talk about some good habits that will make folding easier and more enjoyable:
Fold on a hard surface. This is especially important for beginners.
Beginners should press all folds well. It may be helpful, however, to first make a gentle fold and check its location before pressing down hard.
Sometimes you will find it simpler to create a mountain fold by turning the paper over, making a valley fold, and then returning the paper to its original position.
READING THE DIAGRAMS
Understanding origami diagrams is simpler than you might expect. Before starting, keep the following tips in mind:
Carefully read the written instructions for every step. When working on a particular step, look at the diagram of the step that follows it to see what the result will look like.
Change the position of a model to any one that you are comfortable with while folding. Just be sure to return the model to the same position as shown in the illustration before going on to the next step.
If you feel unsure about what to do at a particular step, read ahead to the next step. Sometimes by going ahead, the preceding step will become clarified.
Here’s a little exercise to get you started. The illustrated steps that follow and their accompanying written instructions include an explanatory discussion of what is being depicted and what you should look for. Work through the steps with a square of paper in your hand—any type of paper will be fine.
1 If you are using origami paper, start with the white side facing you. Position the square with a corner toward you. Fold the bottom corner to the top corner.
Discussion: Before making the fold, it is important to study the details of the illustration. Check the direction of the arrow—it shows that the bottom corner is folded up to the top corner. Look carefully at the location of the valley-fold line. Notice that it connects the left and right corners of the paper.
2 The illustration shows the result of step 1. Fold the left corner to the top corner.
Discussion: Before making the fold, find each location referred to in the written instructions. Check for the location on the illustration and on your model. It is helpful to look ahead to the next step’s illustration. This will show what the completed step will look like and give you confidence to make the fold.
3 Fold the right corner up and to the left.
Discussion: The instructions in steps 1 and 2 referred to specific locations on the model where the folds should be made. Sometimes, instead, it is necessary to estimate where to place the fold. This is called a “judgment fold.” The fold in this step is an example of a judgment fold. Before making the fold, it is essential to look at both the illustration of the step you are on as well as that of the next step.
4 You are now ready to learn how valley folds and mountain folds are used together.
BASIC TECHNIQUES
In this section, you will learn valuable and exciting origami techniques. You will find out how to combine valley folds with each other and with mountain folds. Various combinations of these folds create interesting and well-known forms that are an integral part of origami designs.
Learning each of the basic techniques that follow will be easy and will fit right into your coffee breaks. You only need to do these exercises as you need them! At the beginning of the instructions for each model, you will find a listing of the basic techniques required. The techniques in this section are listed in the order that they appear in the book. If you want to stay “one up” on what is needed, then periodically complete an additional basic technique exercise before you go on to the next model and you will be well-prepared. For each exercise, you can use a square of any type of paper that you have available.
Diamond Base
A “base” is a form that is produced by a particular sequence of folds. In origami instructions, a base sometimes serves as the starting point for making a model. This first base that you will make has a plain but useful shape and is most often used as a base for simple designs.
1 Start with the white side of the paper facing you. Fold the bottom corner to the top corner.
2 Open the fold that you made in the last step.
3 Fold the bottom right edge to the crease. Fold the top right edge to the crease.
4 Fold the bottom left edge to the crease. Fold the top left edge to the crease.
5 Rotate the model so that it is in the position illustrated in the next step.
6 You have made your first base—the Diamond Base.
Reverse Fold
Making a reverse fold is a common technique used in origami. In this exercise, you will fold examples of the two types of reverse folds—an inside reverse fold and an outside reverse fold.
1 Start with the white side of the paper facing you. Make a valley fold by folding the bottom corner to the top corner.
2 Prepare for the inside reverse fold that you will make by folding the