Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The origami crane is one of the most popular origami models, and it is often used as a symbol of peace and good luck. With just a piece of printer paper and a few simple folds, you can make your origami crane in no time.
In the following steps, we will guide you through the process of creating an origami crane. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced folder, this guide will provide you with clear and detailed instructions to help you achieve a beautiful and accurate origami crane.
To get started, you will need a square piece of paper. You can use printer paper, origami paper, or any other type of thin paper that is easy to fold. Once you have your paper, follow the steps below to make your origami crane.
How to Make an Origami Crane with Printer Paper
Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful origami crane.
- Start with a square piece of paper.
- Make preliminary folds to create a square base.
- Fold in half diagonally both ways.
- Unfold and squash fold to form a bird base.
- Fold and unfold to create the crane’s wings and tail.
With patience and a little practice, you’ll be able to create a stunning origami crane that will impress your friends and family.
Start with a square piece of paper.
The first step in making an origami crane is to start with a square piece of paper. You can use printer paper, origami paper, or any other type of thin paper that is easy to fold. If you don’t have a square piece of paper, you can easily make one by cutting a rectangular piece of paper in half.
- Use the right size paper.
The size of the paper you use will determine the size of your finished crane. For a small crane, you can use a piece of paper that is about 6 inches (15 cm) square. For a larger crane, you can use a piece of paper that is 8 inches (20 cm) square.
- Choose the right color paper.
Origami cranes can be made with any color paper, but traditional origami cranes are made with white paper. If you want to make a crane that is more colorful, you can use origami paper that has a pattern or design on it.
- Make sure the paper is flat.
Before you start folding, make sure that the piece of paper is flat and free of wrinkles. If the paper is wrinkled, it will be more difficult to fold it accurately.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally.
To start folding the crane, fold the piece of paper in half diagonally from corner to corner. Then, unfold the paper.
Once you have folded the paper in half diagonally, you are ready to start making the origami crane.
Make preliminary folds to create a square base.
After you have folded the paper in half diagonally, you need to make some preliminary folds to create a square base. This will be the foundation for the rest of the origami crane.
- Fold the paper in half again diagonally.
Fold the paper in half diagonally from the opposite corner to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half horizontally.
Fold the paper in half horizontally to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
Fold the paper in half vertically to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square with four creases.
The creases you have made will help you to fold the crane accurately.
Once you have made the preliminary folds, you are ready to start folding the origami crane.
Fold in half diagonally both ways.
After you have made the preliminary folds, you need to fold the paper in half diagonally both ways. This will create two new creases that will help you to fold the crane accurately.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally from corner to corner.
Fold the paper in half diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally from the opposite corner.
Fold the paper in half diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom left corner to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square with four creases.
The two new creases you have made intersect the four creases you made in the previous step to create a total of eight creases.
- These creases will help you to fold the crane accurately.
The creases you have made will help you to fold the crane’s wings and tail in the next steps.
Once you have folded the paper in half diagonally both ways, you are ready to start folding the origami crane’s wings and tail.
Unfold and squash fold to form a bird base.
Once you have folded the paper in half diagonally both ways, you need to unfold the paper and make a squash fold to form a bird base. This is the basic shape for many origami models, including the origami crane.
To make a squash fold, follow these steps:
- Unfold the paper.
Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold the paper in half vertically.
Fold the paper in half vertically to create a crease. Then, unfold the paper.
- Fold the top two corners down to the center crease.
Fold the top left corner down to the center crease. Then, fold the top right corner down to the center crease.
- Fold the bottom two corners up to the center crease.
Fold the bottom left corner up to the center crease. Then, fold the bottom right corner up to the center crease.
- Squash the model flat.
Press down on the model to flatten it. The two flaps that you folded up in the previous step should fold down flat against the model.
You should now have a bird base. The bird base is a flat, diamond-shaped shape with a crease down the center and two flaps on each side.
Once you have made the bird base, you are ready to start folding the origami crane’s wings and tail.
Fold and unfold to create the crane’s wings and tail.
Once you have made the bird base, you need to fold and unfold the paper to create the crane’s wings and tail.
- Fold the right flap up and over to the left.
Fold the right flap up and over to the left, lining up the edges of the flaps. Then, unfold the flap.
- Fold the left flap up and over to the right.
Fold the left flap up and over to the right, lining up the edges of the flaps. Then, unfold the flap.
- Fold the top flap down and over to the bottom.
Fold the top flap down and over to the bottom, lining up the edges of the flaps. Then, unfold the flap.
- Fold the bottom flap up and over to the top.
Fold the bottom flap up and over to the top, lining up the edges of the flaps. Then, unfold the flap.
You should now have a square with four creases. The creases you have made will help you to fold the crane’s wings and tail in the next steps.
FAQ
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and creative activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some frequently asked questions about origami:
Question 1: What is the best type of paper for origami?
Answer: The best type of paper for origami is thin and strong. Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is available in a variety of colors and patterns. You can also use printer paper or other thin papers, but they may not be as easy to fold.
Question 2: What are some basic origami folds?
Answer: There are many basic origami folds, including the square fold, the triangle fold, the bird base, and the fish base. Once you have mastered these basic folds, you can use them to create more complex origami models.
Question 3: Where can I learn how to make origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn how to make origami. You can find origami books and magazines at your local library or bookstore. You can also find many origami tutorials online.
Question 4: What are some popular origami models?
Answer: Some popular origami models include the crane, the frog, the butterfly, and the rose. These models are relatively easy to make and are a great way to practice your origami skills.
Question 5: Can I sell origami models that I make?
Answer: Yes, you can sell origami models that you make. However, you should be aware of copyright laws. If you are selling origami models that are based on someone else’s design, you need to get their permission first.
Question 6: How can I improve my origami skills?
Answer: The best way to improve your origami skills is to practice regularly. You can also try folding more complex origami models. There are many origami books and websites that provide instructions for folding complex models.
Origami is a fun and rewarding activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can learn how to make beautiful and intricate origami models.
In addition to the FAQ, here are some tips for making origami:
Tips
Here are some tips for making origami:
Start with simple models.
If you are new to origami, it is best to start with simple models. This will help you to learn the basic folds and techniques. As you become more experienced, you can try folding more complex models.
Use good quality paper.
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the finished origami model. Origami paper is specially designed for folding and is available in a variety of colors and patterns. You can also use printer paper or other thin papers, but they may not be as easy to fold.
Be patient and persistent.
Origami can be a challenging activity, but it is also very rewarding. It takes time and practice to learn how to make complex origami models. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Just keep practicing and you will eventually be able to make beautiful origami models.
Have fun!
Origami is a fun and creative activity. Enjoy the process of folding paper and creating beautiful objects.
With a little practice, you can learn how to make beautiful and complex origami models. So grab some paper and start folding today!
Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress. It can also help to improve your hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and rewarding activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it can also help to improve your hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills.
Origami is also a very versatile art form. You can use it to make simple or complex models, and you can use any type of paper. This makes it a great activity for people of all skill levels.
If you are new to origami, there are many resources available to help you learn. You can find origami books and magazines at your local library or bookstore, and you can also find many origami tutorials online.
Once you have mastered the basics of origami, you can start experimenting with more complex models. There are many beautiful and intricate origami models that you can make, so the possibilities are endless.
So whether you are a beginner or an experienced folder, I encourage you to give origami a try. It is a fun and rewarding activity that can bring you many years of enjoyment.
