Tips to Consider to Make the Perfect Origami Flower
Posted on: September 8, 2011
The Japanese ancient art of paper folding is called "origami". With pieces of paper and foil, you can make different combinations. If you are set to making origami flowers, below are factors you need to consider:
? The Paper
If you think origami paper refers to a single type of paper, you're mistaken! There are different kinds of origami paper you will find in craft or hobby stores. They also come in an assortment of colors, designs and textures. Aside from origami paper, you can also use or combine it with wrapping paper, magazine paper, comics paper or even aluminum foil.
If you are not sure what origami paper is, it is a type of paper that has prints on one side and the others side is used for folded areas. However, two sided paper varieties can also be used without affecting the design.
When it comes to the size of the finished origami project, you can determine this through the starting size of your square paper. Of course, the smaller the paper, the smaller your origami project will be.
? The Fold
When it comes to origami art, there is only one type of fold you can use among various types of folds. This includes the following:
o Rabbit
o Pinwheel
o Crane
o Balloon
o Fish
o Organ
o Kabuto/Samurai/Yakko
To make an origami flower, you will usually start with the balloon or crane base (starting point). With practice, you can eventually make perfect flowers. Keep in mind that "origami" is considered as an exact folding art. It is only through practice that you can master this art form.
? The Base
When you practice making the base, use notebook paper or any cheap square piece of paper. Use these to practice learning the correct folding technique. Make sure you keep every crease exact and neat.
First, lay the paper at an angle which looks like a diamond. One tip at the bottom and the other tip at the top. Then fold the upper tip towards the bottom tip diagonally. You will be forming a triangle. Afterwards, fold the right end over the left end. Crease again in order to form a smaller triangle. Thus, take the right end and fold it in half. You will be forming a much smaller triangle.
Open your paper to its original form with the printed side facing down. At this point, the sheet should have two long creases (with one going from each of the tips through the center. One should also crease from the four sides to the center).
Then take the upper point before you fold it down towards the bottom tip. Afterwards, re-crease it in the middle in order to form the original triangle. The tips should be pointing downward.
Grab the triangle in the center on upper fold. Then take the creased tip on the right side. Afterwards, push it inside the folded paper. The result would be a diagonal fold on the right portion. As for the left portion, it will be flat across the top.
Do the same procedure with the left side. You now have a triangle in your hands with 4 folded inside flaps that point downward.
Insert one finger in one of the flaps. Flatten it so as to resemble a diamond shape. Make sure you do this for both flaps. The item should have two flaps on every portion of the center point. All flaps should open and point downward. This is how you make the crane base.
? The Blossoms
This is just as important as the base. Aside from the crane base, you can also make use of the balloon base. You need to complete all the blossoms before you add the greenery. You can use pipe cleaners or wire stems. For the leaves, just use tissue paper. You may also add ribbons on the stems.
? The Paper
If you think origami paper refers to a single type of paper, you're mistaken! There are different kinds of origami paper you will find in craft or hobby stores. They also come in an assortment of colors, designs and textures. Aside from origami paper, you can also use or combine it with wrapping paper, magazine paper, comics paper or even aluminum foil.
If you are not sure what origami paper is, it is a type of paper that has prints on one side and the others side is used for folded areas. However, two sided paper varieties can also be used without affecting the design.
When it comes to the size of the finished origami project, you can determine this through the starting size of your square paper. Of course, the smaller the paper, the smaller your origami project will be.
? The Fold
When it comes to origami art, there is only one type of fold you can use among various types of folds. This includes the following:
o Rabbit
o Pinwheel
o Balloon
o Fish
o Organ
o Kabuto/Samurai/Yakko
To make an origami flower, you will usually start with the balloon or crane base (starting point). With practice, you can eventually make perfect flowers. Keep in mind that "origami" is considered as an exact folding art. It is only through practice that you can master this art form.
? The Base
When you practice making the base, use notebook paper or any cheap square piece of paper. Use these to practice learning the correct folding technique. Make sure you keep every crease exact and neat.
First, lay the paper at an angle which looks like a diamond. One tip at the bottom and the other tip at the top. Then fold the upper tip towards the bottom tip diagonally. You will be forming a triangle. Afterwards, fold the right end over the left end. Crease again in order to form a smaller triangle. Thus, take the right end and fold it in half. You will be forming a much smaller triangle.
Open your paper to its original form with the printed side facing down. At this point, the sheet should have two long creases (with one going from each of the tips through the center. One should also crease from the four sides to the center).
Then take the upper point before you fold it down towards the bottom tip. Afterwards, re-crease it in the middle in order to form the original triangle. The tips should be pointing downward.
Grab the triangle in the center on upper fold. Then take the creased tip on the right side. Afterwards, push it inside the folded paper. The result would be a diagonal fold on the right portion. As for the left portion, it will be flat across the top.
Do the same procedure with the left side. You now have a triangle in your hands with 4 folded inside flaps that point downward.
Insert one finger in one of the flaps. Flatten it so as to resemble a diamond shape. Make sure you do this for both flaps. The item should have two flaps on every portion of the center point. All flaps should open and point downward. This is how you make the crane base.
? The Blossoms
This is just as important as the base. Aside from the crane base, you can also make use of the balloon base. You need to complete all the blossoms before you add the greenery. You can use pipe cleaners or wire stems. For the leaves, just use tissue paper. You may also add ribbons on the stems.