Simple Origami

From LoveToKnow Origami

Completing simple origami projects is wonderful way to learn more about this ancient craft.

Invest in books with easy origami diagrams.

Learning Origami

Although origami looks complicated, learning origami isn't as difficult as you might expect. Whether you're making an origami envelope or a wolf, you'll see many of the same folding techniques used on a regular basis. Master these folds and you'll be able to create anything you can imagine.

Basic folds in origami include:

Valley fold
Mountain fold
Fold and unfold
Crimp
Squash fold
Petal fold
Spread squash fold
Open sink
Closed sink
Wrap
Pleat
Rabbit ear
Swivel fold
Reverse fold

To see a demonstration of each of these folds, download the PDF file Explanation of Origami Folds.

While origami experts often fold in the air, it's best to fold against a table or hardcover book when learning origami. Fold slowly; do not rush the project. Ideally, every fold in your origami design should be crisp and firm.

To help keep your costs down as you're mastering the basic origami folds, consider working with free printable origami papers instead of the expensive specialty papers purchased from a craft store or stationary shop. You can find a number of printable origami paper designs on the Konnichiwa Web site.

For practicing a design, many origami experts also recommend working with pages cut from an old magazine. The glossy paper used in these publications is easy for beginners to fold as needed. Just remember to make sure your paper is cut perfectly square before you begin.

Important Origami Tips

Regardless of what you choose for your first simple origami project, you'll get better results by keeping in mind these helpful tips:

Read the directions for a project from start to finish before you begin. Don't simply assume you know how the piece goes together.
Double check the accuracy of your folds before moving on to the next step of a project. If one fold is slightly out of alignment, it can easily throw off everything that follows.
Always wash your hands before working with delicate origami paper. Smudge marks from dirty fingers are sure to ruin an otherwise perfect piece of work.
When making a crease, you'll get the best results by rotating the paper so that every crease is made either from left to right or right to left across your body. The part of the paper that folds over when the crease is made should move away from your body, not towards it or to just one side.

Resources for Simple Origami

Online resources for beginning origami projects include:

Tiny Shiny has instructions for a crane, box, parrot, pinwheel, and other simple projects for origami beginners.
Origami Fun has easy to follow instructions for a number of basic to intermediate level origami projects.
The Origami Resource Center lists a number of projects that can be completed in 10 steps or less.

Popular origami books for beginners include:

Absolute Beginner's Origami by Nick Robinson
Beginner's Origami by Steve Biddle and Megumi Biddle
Origami for Beginners by Vicente Palacios

If you'd prefer video tutorials, You Tube has a number of origami instructions available. There is also an Origami Made Easy for Beginners DVD available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Uses for Origami Projects

As you build your skills in simple origami, you may find yourself wondering what to do with all of your creations. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Decorations for holidays, especially if you make origami stars for Christmas or origami hearts for Valentine's Day
Party favors
Embellishments for handmade greeting cards
A creative way to present a gift, such as placing a gift card in an origami envelope or using money origami when giving cash for a graduation, wedding, or birthday gift