Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a beautiful and challenging way to create intricate works of art from a single sheet of paper. One of the most popular origami models is the crane, a graceful and elegant bird. The crane is commonly associated with peace, longevity, and good fortune in many cultures. In this easy-to-follow guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to make an origami crane using a sheet of notebook paper.
As an introductory project, the origami crane with notebook paper is an excellent choice for beginners due to its simplicity and affordability. The process requires minimal supplies, making it accessible to anyone who wants to learn the art of origami. By following our detailed instructions and practicing patience, you’ll be able to create your own origami crane and discover the joy of paper folding.
Before we dive into the folding process, let’s gather the necessary materials. You will need a single square sheet of notebook paper, which is typically 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm). The weight of the paper is up to your preference, but heavier paper tends to hold creases better. Additionally, you may want to have a pair of scissors handy to trim the edges of the paper if desired.
How to Make an Origami Crane with Notebook Paper
Follow these five simple steps to create an origami crane:
- Prepare square paper
- Fold in half twice
- Unfold and fold diagonally
- Flip and repeat folds
- Fold to form crane shape
With patience and practice, you’ll be able to make beautiful origami cranes in no time.
Prepare Square Paper
To begin making your origami crane, we need to start with a square piece of paper. If you’re using standard notebook paper, which is typically 8.5 x 11 inches (21.5 x 28 cm), you’ll need to trim it down to a square.
- Fold in half vertically:
Take the rectangular sheet of notebook paper and fold it in half vertically, aligning the left and right edges. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold and fold in half horizontally:
Unfold the previous fold, then fold the paper in half horizontally, aligning the top and bottom edges. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold and locate the center:
Unfold both folds. You should now have two intersecting crease lines forming a cross in the center of the paper.
- Fold diagonally from corner to center:
Take the top right corner of the paper and fold it down to the center, aligning the edge with the vertical crease line. Crease the fold well.
Now you have a square piece of paper with several crease lines. These folds will guide us as we create the origami crane.
Fold in Half Twice
Once you have your square piece of paper, we need to fold it in half twice to create a smaller square with several crease lines. These folds will serve as guides as we shape the origami crane.
First Fold:
Take the square piece of paper and align the top and bottom edges. Fold the paper in half vertically, bringing the right edge to meet the left edge. Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
Second Fold:
Unfold the previous fold. Now, align the left and right edges of the paper. Fold the paper in half horizontally, bringing the top edge to meet the bottom edge. Again, crease the fold well.
Unfold and Locate the Center:
Unfold both folds. You should now have two intersecting crease lines forming a cross in the center of the square.
These two folds have divided the square into four smaller squares. The center point where the crease lines intersect will be a reference point for subsequent folds.
Now that we have folded the paper in half twice, we have created a smaller square with several crease lines. In the next steps, we will use these crease lines to create the basic shape of the origami crane.
Unfold and Fold Diagonally
Now that we have our square piece of paper with two intersecting crease lines forming a cross, we need to unfold and fold diagonally to create the basic shape of the origami crane.
- Unfold Both Folds:
Start by unfolding both of the previous folds, so that you have a flat square piece of paper again.
- Locate the Center:
Find the center of the square by aligning the top and bottom edges, and then the left and right edges. The center point is where the crease lines intersect.
- Fold Top Right Corner to Center:
Take the top right corner of the square and fold it down to the center point. Align the edge of the paper with the vertical crease line.
- Crease the Fold:
Use your fingers or a bone folder to crease the fold well. This fold should be sharp and precise.
Now you have folded the top right corner to the center, creating a diagonal crease line. This fold will help us shape the head and neck of the origami crane in the next steps.
Flip and Repeat Folds
After folding the top right corner to the center, we need to flip the paper and repeat the same folds on the other side to create a symmetrical shape.
Flip the Paper:
Turn the paper over so that the folded corner is now facing down. The unfolded side should be facing up.
Fold Top Left Corner to Center:
Take the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the center point. Align the edge of the paper with the vertical crease line.
Crease the Fold:
Use your fingers or a bone folder to crease the fold well. Make sure this fold is sharp and precise.
Flip and Repeat:
Flip the paper over again so that the folded corner is now facing down. Repeat the same fold on this side, folding the top right corner to the center and creasing the fold well.
Now you have folded both the top right and top left corners to the center, creating two diagonal crease lines. These folds will help us shape the wings and tail of the origami crane in the next steps.
Fold to Form Crane Shape
Now that we have folded the top corners to the center and created the diagonal crease lines, we can start to fold the paper to form the basic shape of the origami crane.
- Fold Bottom Edge to Center:
Take the bottom edge of the paper and fold it up to the center point. Align the edge of the paper with the horizontal crease line.
- Crease the Fold:
Use your fingers or a bone folder to crease the fold well. This fold should be sharp and precise.
- Fold Right and Left Edges to Center:
Next, fold the right and left edges of the paper to the center point. Align the edges with the vertical crease line.
- Crease the Folds:
Crease the right and left folds well to create two vertical crease lines.
Now you have folded the bottom edge and the right and left edges to the center, creating several new crease lines. These folds will help us shape the body and wings of the origami crane.
FAQ
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, if you’re new to origami, you may have some questions. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a creative and challenging way to create intricate works of art from a single sheet of paper, without the use of glue or scissors.
Question 2: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer: Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is typically thin and lightweight. You can also use regular printer paper, but it may be more difficult to fold and may not hold creases as well.
Question 3: What are some basic origami folds?
Answer: Some basic origami folds include the valley fold, mountain fold, square fold, and diagonal fold. These folds are the building blocks for creating more complex origami models.
Question 4: How do I learn origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn origami, including books, websites, and video tutorials. You can also find origami classes and workshops in your local community.
Question 5: What are some popular origami models?
Answer: Some popular origami models include the crane, the rose, the butterfly, and the dragon. These models are relatively easy to fold and are a great way to practice your origami skills.
Question 6: What are some tips for folding origami?
Answer: Here are a few tips for folding origami:
– Use sharp creases.
– Fold slowly and carefully.
– Don’t be afraid to experiment.
– Have fun!
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you know the basics of origami, you can start exploring more advanced models and techniques. Here are some additional tips to help you improve your origami skills:
Tips
Here are some practical tips to help you improve your origami skills and create beautiful origami models:
Tip 1: Use High-Quality Paper
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the quality of your origami models. Choose origami paper that is thin, lightweight, and easy to fold. You can also use regular printer paper, but it may be more difficult to fold and may not hold creases as well.
Tip 2: Fold Slowly and Carefully
Origami is not a race. Take your time and fold each crease slowly and carefully. This will help you to create sharp and precise folds, which are essential for creating beautiful origami models.
Tip 3: Use Bone Folder or Similar Tool
A bone folder is a tool that is used to crease paper. It can help you to create sharp and precise folds, especially in thick or textured papers. If you don’t have a bone folder, you can use a butter knife or a credit card instead.
Tip 4: Practice Regularly
The more you practice origami, the better you will become at it. Try to fold different models regularly to improve your skills and learn new techniques. You can find many origami tutorials and resources online and in books.
With a little practice and patience, you can create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family. So grab a sheet of paper and start folding!
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax, de-stress, and express your creativity. So why not give it a try?
Conclusion
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax, de-stress, and express your creativity.
In this article, we have provided you with step-by-step instructions on how to make an origami crane using a sheet of notebook paper. We have also included a FAQ section and tips section to help you learn more about origami and improve your skills.
We encourage you to try origami and discover the joy of paper folding. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
So grab a sheet of paper and start folding!
