Origami claws will add great detail to a spooky costume or to frighten your friends. If you need extra claws for your Halloween costume, you just need to make your own claws for each finger. The claws are sharp and pointy, but remember, they are for decoration only - be careful!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Paws out of Plain Paper
Step 1. Place the paper on a flat surface
Position the paper horizontally. You can use any type of paper you have at home. If you want stronger claws, use thicker paper.
Step 2. Meet the top left corner of the paper with the bottom right corner
Align the folds at the bottom of the paper. Now the left side of the paper has an acute angle.
Step 3. Find the acute angle with the opposite angle
Now the paper shape looks like a rectangle missing one corner.
Step 4. Fold the diagonal edge on top down
Align the top edge with the diagonal edge. This will shape the paper into a square. Position the paper so that the right corner of the triangle is pointing up, or away from you.
Step 5. Make a triangle shape
Fold the now square paper diagonally. This will make it a triangular shape.
Step 6. Fold the paper in half
Imagine that there is a vertical line in the middle of the triangle that divides it into two equal parts, from the corners to the sides of the triangle's base. Fold it to the right side to form a right triangle.
- You can draw these lines with a pencil if necessary. Use a T-square ruler to make sure the center line is at right angles.
- This step will form the folds that are important for the next fold.
Step 7. Fold the left side of the triangle
Unfold the newly formed right triangle and bring the right edge to the center line of the triangle. The outer edge of the triangle will point perpendicularly down and past the bottom of the triangle.
Step 8. Repeat the previous fold twice
Fold the side you just folded to the right following the center line. You will see the claws start to form.
- Be careful when folding so that your folds stay straight.
- Make sure you press each fold very firmly and fold it at the same angle. If your folds start to slant upwards instead of aligning, the end result won't be very good.
Step 9. Tuck the bottom edge of the excess crease into the center of the claw
You may need to open the center of the claw with your finger. Hold your finger to keep the center open and make it easier for you to insert the excess fold.
Step 10. Open the small triangle in the center of the fold and insert your finger into the hole of the fold
The little triangle will look like a knuckle on a claw.
- Chances are the claw hole will feel cramped at first.
- The narrower the hole, the longer the claw will stay on your finger.
Method 2 of 3: Using Origami Paper
Step 1. Buy or make origami paper
To make origami paper, place standard-sized (21.5x28 cm) paper lengthwise and bring one corner to the opposite corner. Then cut off the part of the paper that is outside the fold. This will make the paper into a square shape.
Thicker paper will increase its durability
Step 2. Fold the paper in half
Imagine a line that goes from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Make a crease along this line to form the paper into a right triangle.
Step 3. Fold the paper on the diagonal axis
The paper has now changed its shape from a right triangle to an isosceles triangle. Make sure you press the crease firmly.
Step 4. Fold the paper on the diagonal axis one more time
The shadow line that will guide your folds now starts at one corner of the triangle and ends in the middle of the other two corners. Fold along the line of the shadow and make sure you press the crease firmly.
Step 5. Make a valley fold (a type of origami fold where the folds form a hollow) vertically
Position the paper, now almost the shape of the claw, in front of you with the sharpest part of the "nail" facing to the left. Imagine a straight line that goes from the top to the bottom. Fold the right side of the triangle toward the "nail" so that it forms a crease along the line of the shadow. Then open the fold.
Step 6. Tuck the right edge of the paper into the center of the fold that forms the pocket
By making the vertical valley fold earlier, you have formed a pocket on your paw. This is where your finger will be inserted.
Method 3 of 3: Using Alternative Techniques
Step 1. Place the paper on a flat surface
Position the paper horizontally. You can use any type of paper available at home. If you want strong claws, use thick paper.
Step 2. Bring the top left corner to the bottom side of the paper
Fold and align the top side with the bottom side of the paper. Now the left side of the paper has a sharp corner.
Step 3. Fold the two corners on the right side of the paper
Make folds only on these two corners by meeting the corners with the borders of the previous fold. This will form two small triangles.
Step 4. Make a crease by bringing the left sharp corner to the right side
Imagine an isosceles triangle on paper without the two smaller triangles on the bottom. Make a crease by bringing the top corner of the right triangle to its right.
Step 5. Fold the part of the paper that is not included in the large triangular fold
Fold the part of the paper that has the two small triangular folds up, overlapping the large triangular fold. The paper will now be in the shape of a triangle with the fold you just made on top of it.
Step 6. Fold the paper in half
Imagine that there is a vertical line that divides the triangle in half, from the acute angle to the side of the triangle's base, right in the middle. Fold the paper following the shadow line so that it forms a right triangle.
These folds will form important crease marks for subsequent folds
Step 7. Make a crease on the left side of the paper
Unfold the newly formed right triangle and meet the hypotenuse of the triangle with the center line that divides the triangle in half. The hypotenuse of the triangle is now perpendicular and extends beyond the base of the triangle.
Step 8. Repeat the fold twice
Fold the section you just folded to the right following the center line. You will see your folds begin to form claws.
Step 9. Tuck the bottom crease to the end
You may need to open the center of the claw with your finger. Hold your finger so that the holes between the folds are visible and make it easier for you to insert one of the folds.
Step 10. Open the small triangle in the center of the fold
Insert your finger into the small triangle to open it. This part will look like a knuckle on the claw.
Tips
- Form the folds as precisely as possible. Consider using a paper folding tool or a ruler. Accurate and firm folds are the key to success in most origami works.
- This process is difficult. The more you practice making it, the better your work will be.
- Practice with cheap, thin paper before using expensive paper.
- Some people have fingers that are too big or too small. You can use larger or smaller pieces of paper, but make sure they have the same proportions.
- Purchase black gloves at a flea store, or find used ones in your home, and cut off the tips of the glove's fingers. Wear the claws you have made while wearing gloves to give it a better look.
- You can change the color by using black paper or even painting it. Construction paper is heavier and harder to work with, but it will produce a more durable claw. This paper is also available in a variety of colors.
- Young children may need help with this.
- If you want claws to match your costume, you can make designs on them.
