Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has fascinated people of all ages for centuries. It is a relaxing and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone, and it’s a great way to create beautiful and unique objects.
One of the most popular origami projects is the blow up heart. This simple yet elegant design is perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or any other special occasion. It’s also a great way to teach children about origami and the importance of following instructions carefully.
To make an origami blow up heart, you will need a square piece of paper. The size of the paper will determine the size of the heart. You can use any color or pattern of paper you like. Once you have your paper, follow these steps:
How to Make an Origami Blow Up Heart
Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful origami blow up heart:
- Choose paper
- Make square shape
- Fold in half
- Unfold and squash fold
- Fold lower edges to center
- Fold top edges to center
- Fold in half lengthwise
- Blow into open end
- Seal open end
Your origami blow up heart is now complete! You can hang it from a string or give it to someone special as a gift.
Choose Paper
The type of paper you choose will affect the look and feel of your origami blow up heart. Here are a few things to consider when choosing paper:
- Weight: Heavier paper will produce a sturdier heart, while lighter paper will be more delicate. For a blow up heart, you will want to choose a paper that is not too thick or too thin. A good option is origami paper, which is specifically designed for folding.
- Color: You can choose any color or pattern of paper you like. If you are making the heart for a special occasion, you may want to choose a color that is associated with that occasion. For example, you could use red paper for Valentine’s Day or pink paper for a baby shower.
- Texture: Some papers have a textured surface, which can add interest to your origami heart. However, textured paper can also be more difficult to fold. If you are new to origami, you may want to choose a smooth paper.
- Size: The size of the paper will determine the size of the heart. For a small heart, you can use a 6-inch square piece of paper. For a larger heart, you can use a 9-inch or 12-inch square piece of paper.
Once you have chosen the right paper, you can start folding your origami blow up heart.
Make Square Shape
If your paper is not already square, you will need to trim it to make it square. Here are the steps to follow:
- Fold the paper in half diagonally.
- Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half again, diagonally in the opposite direction.
- Unfold the paper again.
You should now have two crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper. These crease lines will help you to make a perfect square.
- Fold the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom left corner.
- Fold the bottom left corner of the paper up to the top right corner.
- Unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper. You can use this square piece of paper to fold your origami blow up heart.
Fold in Half
Once you have made a square piece of paper, you will need to fold it in half. This will create a crease line that will help you to fold the heart.
To fold the paper in half, follow these steps:
- Place the paper on a flat surface with the colored side facing up.
- Fold the top edge of the paper down to the bottom edge. Be sure to crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
You should now have a crease line running down the center of the paper. This crease line will help you to fold the heart.
Fold the paper in half again, this time from left to right. Be sure to crease the fold sharply.
Unfold the paper again. You should now have two crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper.
These crease lines will help you to fold the heart in the next steps.
Unfold and Squash Fold
Once you have folded the paper in half twice, you will need to unfold it and make a squash fold. This will create a diamond shape.
- Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold the top right corner of the paper down to the bottom left corner.
- Fold the bottom left corner of the paper up to the top right corner.
- Unfold the paper again.
You should now have a diamond shape. The crease lines that you made earlier will help you to fold the diamond shape into a heart.
Fold Lower Edges to Center
Now that you have a diamond shape, you will need to fold the lower edges to the center. This will create the two bottom points of the heart.
- Fold the bottom right edge of the diamond shape to the center crease.
- Fold the bottom left edge of the diamond shape to the center crease.
- Be sure to crease the folds sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
You should now have two crease lines running down the center of the diamond shape. These crease lines will help you to fold the heart in the next steps.
Fold Top Edges to Center
Now that you have folded the lower edges to the center, you will need to fold the top edges to the center. This will create the two top points of the heart.
To fold the top edges to the center, follow these steps:
- Fold the top right edge of the diamond shape to the center crease.
- Fold the top left edge of the diamond shape to the center crease.
- Be sure to crease the folds sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
You should now have two more crease lines running down the center of the diamond shape. These crease lines will help you to fold the heart in the next steps.
You have now completed all of the folds for the origami blow up heart. In the next step, you will learn how to blow up the heart.
Fold in Half Lengthwise
Now that you have folded all of the edges to the center, you will need to fold the paper in half lengthwise. This will create the basic shape of the heart.
To fold the paper in half lengthwise, follow these steps:
- Place the paper on a flat surface with the colored side facing up.
- Fold the right edge of the paper to the left edge. Be sure to crease the fold sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
You should now have a crease line running down the center of the paper. This crease line will help you to fold the heart in the next step.
Fold the paper in half again, this time from top to bottom. Be sure to crease the fold sharply.
You should now have a folded heart shape. The next step is to blow up the heart.
Blow into Open End
Now that you have folded the origami blow up heart, you are ready to blow it up.
- Find the open end of the heart. This is the end that is not sealed.
- Place your mouth over the open end and blow into it.
- Be sure to blow slowly and steadily.
- The heart will start to inflate.
Once the heart is fully inflated, you can seal the open end with a piece of tape or glue. You can now enjoy your origami blow up heart!
Seal Open End
Once you have blown up the origami blow up heart, you will need to seal the open end to prevent the air from escaping.
- Find a small piece of tape or glue.
- Apply the tape or glue to the open end of the heart.
- Press the tape or glue down firmly.
- Allow the tape or glue to dry completely.
Once the tape or glue is dry, the open end of the heart will be sealed and the heart will be complete. You can now enjoy your origami blow up heart!
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about origami:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and challenging hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Origami can be used to create a wide variety of objects, from simple animals to complex geometric shapes.
Question 2: What do I need to get started with origami?
Answer: All you need to get started with origami is a piece of paper. You can use any type of paper, but origami paper is specially designed for folding and is easier to work with.
Question 3: How do I learn how to fold origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to help you learn how to fold origami. You can find books, DVDs, and online tutorials that will teach you the basics of origami. You can also find origami classes at local community centers and libraries.
Question 4: What are some popular origami folds?
Answer: Some popular origami folds include the crane, the fish, the boat, and the heart. These folds are relatively easy to learn and can be made with a variety of different types of paper.
Question 5: What are some of the benefits of origami?
Answer: Origami has many benefits, including:
Improved hand-eye coordination
Increased spatial awareness
Enhanced problem-solving skills
Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased creativity
Question 6: How can I use origami in my everyday life?
Answer: Origami can be used in a variety of ways in your everyday life. You can use origami to:
Create decorations for your home
Make gifts for friends and family
Teach children about math and science
Relax and de-stress
Origami is a versatile and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Origami can also be used to create beautiful and unique objects that can be used to decorate your home or give as gifts.
Now that you know more about origami, you may be wondering how you can improve your skills. Here are a few tips to help you become a better origami folder:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you become a better origami folder:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
Don’t try to start with complex folds if you are a beginner. Start with simple folds and work your way up to more challenging folds as you gain experience.
Tip 2: Use good quality paper.
Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is easier to work with than regular paper. It is also stronger and less likely to tear.
Tip 3: Be patient.
Origami can be challenging, especially at first. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Keep practicing and you will eventually be able to fold even the most complex folds.
Tip 4: Have fun!
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby. Enjoy the process of folding and creating beautiful objects. Don’t worry about making mistakes. Just relax and have fun.
With a little practice, you will be able to fold a variety of origami objects, from simple animals to complex geometric shapes. Origami is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. It is also a great way to relax and de-stress. So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!
Now that you have some tips to help you improve your origami skills, it’s time to start folding! With a little practice, you will be able to create beautiful and unique origami objects that you can use to decorate your home, give as gifts, or simply enjoy for yourself.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Origami can also be used to create beautiful and unique objects that can be used to decorate your home, give as gifts, or simply enjoy for yourself.
In this article, we have provided you with instructions on how to make an origami blow up heart. We have also provided you with a FAQ section and a tips section to help you learn more about origami and improve your skills.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article and that you will continue to explore the wonderful world of origami. With a little practice, you will be able to create amazing origami objects that will impress your friends and family.
So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!
