Origami basics

Your first folds3D exercise

Fold toward you so the crease becomes the bottom of a valley.

Your first folds3D exercise

Fold away from you so the crease becomes a ridge.

Your first folds3D exercise

Fold, press, and unfold to leave a reference crease.

Your first folds3D exercise

Bring opposite edges of a square together to make a rectangle.

Your first folds3D exercise

Bring opposite corners together to make a triangle.

Fold to a reference3D exercise

Fold two adjacent edges to the diagonal crease.

Fold to a reference3D exercise

Fold two opposite edges to the center crease.

Fold to a reference3D exercise

Fold all four corners of a square to the center.

Fold back3D exercise

Fold once, then fold back along a second crease.

Fold back3D exercise

Alternate mountain and valley folds to make a series of pleats.

Open and reshape3D exercise

Open a pocket to both sides and flatten it along its creases.

Open and reshape3D exercise

Lift a flap while reversing its sides inward to make a longer, narrower point.

Open and reshape3D exercise

Bring creases together to form a pointed triangular flap.

Reverse a fold3D exercise

Open the layers and reverse a tip between the surrounding layers.

Reverse a fold3D exercise

Reverse a tip outward and close it around the remaining paper.

Further techniques3D exercise

Swing one section while refolding the connected paper.

Further techniques3D exercise

Open out a point, invert it inward, and collapse the surrounding creases.

Further techniquesRead

Sink a point inward while keeping the inner fold closed.

Further techniques3D exercise

Spread and flatten connected layers together. The terminology varies by source.

Further techniques3D exercise

Combine rabbit-ear folds to gather folded layers into a narrow flap.

Further techniques3D exercise

Sink a point inward and back outward, in open or closed forms.

Further techniquesRead

Reverse a sunken point so that it projects outward.

Further techniquesRead

Apply a petal-fold variation to a different arrangement of layers.

Further techniquesRead

Pull folded sections apart and rearrange their creases.

Further techniquesRead

Move layers around another section, or release wrapped layers.

Further techniquesRead

Coordinate mountain and valley folds around a central region.