The Japanese art of paper folding has been around for hundreds of years. Designs range from simple shapes like hats and boxes to more complex designs like the traditional origami crane. There are many different types of origami flowers-some more difficult than others-here are some to get you started.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Origami Lily with Stems
Step 1. Gather your equipment
For this flower, you will need 2 6" x 6" squares of origami paper and masking tape. One of these origami papers will form a stalk, so you may want to choose brown or green paper.
Step 2. Take the origami paper you want to use as a flower
Lay it on the table with the pattern or color side down. Fold the paper in half diagonally to form a large triangle. Fold the lower left corner to the lower right corner, forming a smaller triangle. Reopen the smaller triangle.
Step 3. Fold the petals
Take the left corner of the triangle and fold it up from the crease in the middle. This angle will extend beyond the edge of the original triangle and be approximately the same height as the top edge. Repeat this fold on the right side. Try to make this crease symmetrical with the crease on the left. Remove the flowers first.
Step 4. Lay the paper you want to use for the stem with the pattern or color side down
Fold the paper in half diagonally. Unfold and position the paper to make it look like a square diamond.
Step 5. Pull the right edge towards the crease in the middle
Match the right side of the paper to the crease on the right, making sure the bottom edge is also straight. Repeat with the left corner. When you're done, your paper should look like a kite.
Step 6. Fold the right and left sides towards the crease in the middle
Make sure the bottom edge is precise and sharp. The layer in the middle should be tight.
Step 7. Fold the top right corner down towards the crease in the middle
Repeat with the top left corner. The seam between these two wings should be tight.
Step 8. Fold the top of the kite down so that the fold is over two thirds of the bottom of the kite
Fold the left side over the right side to match all the sides. The shorter, fatter triangles form the leaves.
Step 9. Rotate the stem so that the ends are facing up
Take the leaf and gently pull it off the stem.
Step 10. Attach flowers
Cut a small piece of paper from the bottom of the flower. Insert the end of the stem into the hole.
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Tape the flowers on the stems to prevent the flowers from falling.
Make an Origami Flower Step 10Bullet1
Step 11. Done
Method 2 of 3: Simple Flower Origami
Step 1. Take a 6"x6" sheet of origami paper, pattern facing up
Fold diagonally in both directions, making sure to sharply align corners and creases. Your crease should form an "X."
Step 2. Turn the paper over
Fold it from left to right, and unfold it again. Then, fold from top to bottom. Your paper should be rectangular.
Step 3. With the wings open at the base, gently push the top left and top right edges of the paper
The crease in the center of the paper will lift. The four corners will meet at the base. You should now have a square diamond shape. Flatten the diamond shape. Make sure there is one top wing on the left side and one top wing on the right side.
Step 4. Rotate the diamond 180 degrees, so that the exposed wing is on top
Step 5. Fold the bottom left and bottom right of the diamond towards the crease in the middle
This will form a fold that looks like a kite. Turn the diamond over to the back side, and repeat the fold you made on the front side.
Step 6. Open your petals
Hold the top end of the kite. Pull and fold down about 3/4 of the way down the kite. With your thumb and forefinger, press down on the center of the flower to form a firm fold.
Step 7. Finish the other petals
Arrange the petals on the sides until they are in the position you want. Arrangements can be made on all leaves by pinching the base of the flower near the stem.
Step 8. Use scissors or serrated shears to round or jagged the edges of the flower
The rounded edges will make the flowers pansies, while the jagged edges will give you carnations!
Method 3 of 3: Making Another Kind of Flower Origami
Step 1. Make a simple lotus flower origami
This beautiful aquatic plant translates well into paper. Flavorful and elegant, but also simple and surprisingly easy to use.
Step 2. Make the kusudama flower
Kusudama is the activity or sewing or gluing of individual units that are folded together to form a model for Japan. It was originally used as an incense holder, but now makes a color statement.
Step 3. Try tropical flower origami
These flowers have rounded sides for a relaxed and tropical feel. Easy, no hassle, and fun to make!
Step 4. Make the bell flower
This beautiful origami mimics the flavorful and delicate flowers that originated in Scotland. Also called bluebell, fold in blue paper for an original look!
Tips
- Try origami paper in different colors or patterns for an interesting effect.
- Practice making perfect when it comes to origami. Making clean and precise folds is the key to almost all origami structures.
