DIY Origami Art for Beginners

Fun and Relaxing Paper Craft Projects

with Easy to Follow, Step-by-Step
Instructions to 20 Projects from Simple to
Advanced

By

Amy Ray
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Copyright © 2019 – CSBA Publishing House

Email:csbapublishing@gmail.com

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Published by:

CSBA Publishing House

Cover & Interior designed

By
 Jamie Boykin
First Edition

Contents
Introduction
The History of Origami
Tools and Materials
Tips and Terms
Skill Level
Beginner Projects
Making Hearts
A Fleet of Boats
Vroom-Vroom! Racecars
Back to School Pencils
Having a Whale of a Time
Going to the Dogs
Social Butterflies
Intermediate Projects
Go Fish
Jumping Frogs
Men’s Shirt
A Tie to go with the Shirt
Bow Tie
Paper Doll Dress
Paper Houses
Advanced Projects
Squeaky Mouse
Cute Crawling Crab
Pirate Sword
Cat, I’m a Kitty Cat
Sliding Star
 “Rawr!” I’m a Dinosaur
Conclusion
 Introduction
Welcome to the fun and exciting world of origami.

Origami is one of the most unique and creative forms of arts and crafts.
Since the only material you need to create an origami piece is basic paper,
your choices are endless.

Although most projects, unless otherwise specified, use a square sheet of

paper, you can use any size square you want. You can make any project
gigantic or itty bitty. Also, you can choose any kind of paper.

You can really change up the look of your piece. Try using many types of
paper like:
Newspaper
Printer paper
Origami paper
Wrapping paper
Craft paper
Scrapbooking paper

The possibilities are endless!

The projects themselves range from very basic, with just a few folds, to
extremely elaborate.

Anyone can do origami. It is simply folding paper. With a little practice,

and sometimes patience, you can be an origami master in no time.
 The History of Origami
The history of origami is a long and unsure one. Since it stands to reason
that ever since there was paper, there has been the folding of paper.

Paper was invented by the Chinese around the year 100 AD. It wasn't
brought to Japan for approximately 500 years later by Buddist monks.

It is most likely the Chinese, not the credited Japanese, who were the
inventors of origami. However, we may never know for sure since unlike
other art forms, paper degrades quickly leaving no artifacts to suggest
where origami originated and who first invented it.
We do know that origami was originally known as orikata (folded shapes)
and is one of the most iconic cultural contributions of Japan.

We also know the earliest forms of origami were made by

monks and religious leaders.

Eventually, the rich and elite members of Japanese society began creating
origami as well. Paper was rare and very expensive. It took some time for
this art form to trickle down to common people or religious leaders.
These days, origami is a broad term that can include the use of cutting,
taping, gluing, wet-folding, and other variations on the much more strict
and regimented term of “origami.”

It is a great party trick, used as a way to grab children's attention, and a

relaxing, calm, almost meditative way to create art - all from just a piece
of paper and your hands.
 Tools and Materials
The only material you need is:

Paper

The only tool you must have is:

Your hands!

As long as you have paper and free hands, you can do

origami anywhere anytime.

Optional materials:
 A hard surface to fold on
A marker or pen to add eyes or noses on some of the animal
projects
Paper cutter or scissors to trim the paper to the exact shape and
size you need
The back of a butter knife, your thumbnail, ruler, or any other
tool you want to use to create deep folds
Double-sided or regular scotch tape as needed in a few of the
projects
Origami is so special because of only needing paper and your hands.
 Tips and Terms
Here are some tips and terms when working with origami:

1. Unless instructed differently, begin with placing the side you

want to show when finished, facing DOWN on your workspace.
2. A “valley fold” is one in which the two sides are brought up
towards one another, and the crease dips down forming what
looks like a valley.

3. A “mountain fold” is one in which the two sides are brought

away from one another, and the crease forms a peak that looks
like a mountain.
4. “Plus fold” brings the left edge of the paper over to the right
side lining it up perfectly into rectangular halves and creating a
crease. Unfold, then the same is done for the top and bottom.
5. An “X fold” brings the lower-left corner of the paper up to the
upper right corner creating perfect half triangles and a crease.
Unfold, then do the same with the lower right corner to the
upper left.
 Skill Level
This book is broken down into three parts:

Beginner/Starter
Intermediate
Expert
Each section features a project that’s a little harder in technique than the
previous section. You’ll learn the basics in the first part, and each of the
projects will feature another technique, building upon those basics.

Feel free to repeat the projects as often as you want!

Repetition is a great way to learn a new skill.

The good thing is that, depending on what sort of paper medium you
choose, you can unfold and re-fold until the quality of the paper gets worn
out.

Have fun and happy folding!

 Beginner Projects
In this section, we will be focusing on six beginner projects:

Hearts
Boats
Cars
Dogs
Pencils
Whales
Butterflies
We will be using several of the basic fold techniques with just a few extra
steps or modifications. Each one of these projects is perfect for a beginner,
and it’s not necessary to practice each one in order.

Feel free to start with whichever project you desire.

 Making Hearts

Step 1: To begin making an origami heart, start with an X folded piece of

paper.

Step 2: Turn the paper 90 degrees, so it resembles a diamond.

Step 3: Fold the top point back down to touch the center of the X.

Step 4: Now fold the bottom point up and over the first flap so that the tip
touches the folded line along the top.
Step 5: Now, fold the point to the right up and over, so that the edge lines
up with the crease that divides the piece in half horizontally.

Step 6: Now repeat that same sort of fold on the left-hand side.

Step 7: Flip the piece over.

Step 8: Fold the points on both the right and left side in until the crease
along the edge touches the white point of the triangle above it.

Step 9: Now fold the two top points down so that the point now touches
the horizontal line below it.
Step 10: Use four very small pieces of tape to tack down all four triangles
along the top.

Step 11: Flip the piece over.

You’re done! Repeat as desired with different sizes and paper.
 A Fleet of Boats

Step 1: To create the boat, start with an X folded piece of paper.

Step 2: Fold the upper left and lower right points into the center point.

Step 3: Bring the upper right corner and lower-left corner together. Make
sure you tuck the previously folded edges in towards the center.
Step 4: Press the piece together creating a diamond

Step 5: Fold the top layer of the right side over until it lines up with the
edges on the left.
Step 6: Flip the piece over and repeat Step 5.

Step 7: Fold the upper right triangle down along the halfway line.
Step 8: Fold that triangle back up, leaving about a half of an inch from the
top fold.

Step 9: Tuck the little folded edge into the pocket created when you pull
the front and back triangles apart.
Step 10: Flip the piece over.

Step 11: Fold the bottom point up until it touches the center point of the
middle line.
Step 12: Let that fold fall 90 degrees, so it can be a stand for your boat to
sit up.
 Vroom-Vroom! Racecars

Step 1: To begin making the car, fold a square piece of paper in half.
Unfold. Then bring the edge of the paper to meet that center line and
crease.
Step 2: Make a fold from the outer corner to the center point, make sure
the piece folds down and out.

Step 3: Repeat on the other side.

Step 4: Fold the tips of the corners up, making sure the folded line is
parallel to the central crease.

Step 5: Fold the top side of the paper over, covering the bottom side.
Step 6: Fold the flap back leaving about a quarter-inch of overlap

Step 7: Fold the upper right corner in until it touches the fold line.
Step 8: Repeat on the other side. Flip over.
 Back to School Pencils

Step 1: To begin the pencil, cut a square piece of paper in half, forming
two rectangles.

Step 2: Fold the long side of the rectangle in half, creating a crease, then
unfold.
Step 3: Fold down the top edge. This will be the “lead” of the pencil, so
make the width of the fold the size you want the lead to be.

Step 4: Flip the piece over.

Step 5: Fold the top right and top left corners in until they meet the
vertical crease.

Step 6: Fold the upper right and left sides in again until they touch the
vertical crease.
Step 7: Flip the piece over.

Step 8: Fold the bottom edge up until it reaches the length of pencil you
want.
Step 9: Flip the project over.

Step 10: Fold the left side in towards the center until you get half of the
width you want your pencil to be.
Step 11: Fold the right side over to create the other edge of the pencil.

Step 12: Flip the project over to show the side without the edges as the
finished side.
 Having a Whale of a Time

Step 1: The whale begins with an X folded piece of paper.

Step 2: Take the bottom right edge and fold it in towards the center,
making sure to line it up against the halfway crease.

Step 3: Repeat Step 2 on the bottom right edge.

Step 4: Fold down the top point until it touches the horizontal line you just
created with the previous folds.

Step 5: Flip the project over. Then fold the pointed tip up about halfway.
Step 6: Fold the project in half horizontally.

Step 7: Pull the triangle on the back of the project back and up and crease
it.
Step 8: Then using a pair of scissors, snip the vertical triangle on the back
in half just partway down. Fold the two parts of the tail in two different
directions.

Step 9: Draw an eye and a smile.

 Going to the Dogs

Step 1: To make these adorable dogs, first start with the basic X fold on
your paper.

Step 2: Then fold up one corner, so it touches the middle of the X.

Step 3: Continue to fold in the corners until all four meet in the center.
Step 4: Open the triangle on the left-hand side, this should form a flap.

Step 5: Fold the tip of that triangle flap back towards the center, stopping
at the crease line of the square.
Step 6: Then fold the flap back to its original position, along the crease,
making sure the fold you just made stays tucked under.

Step 7: Now fold out the flap on the far right side, about 2/3 of the way
toward the crease.
Step 8: Fold the whole piece in half along the horizontal crease. Make
sure you fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge.

Step 9: Untuck the top layer's triangle flap. Now there should be a triangle
along the bottom edge.
Step 10: Fold the flap and top layer up and diagonally along the diagonal
line of the original rectangle.
Step 11: Then fold just the triangle flap back down along the crease to line
up along the bottom of the piece.

Step 12: Flip the piece over.

Step 13: Then repeat Steps 9 to 11 on the other side.

Step 14: Open the piece from the bottom.

Step 15: Untuck the small flap on the far right of the piece. Then, press
the piece closed again. Use a marker or pen to draw on an eye and color in
the nose.
 Social Butterflies
These butterflies are very easy to create, and they work awesome with
many different types and shapes of paper.

Step 1: The first step to create these gorgeous three-dimensional

butterflies is to start with a basic X fold in a square piece of paper.

Step 2: Fold the bottom edge up to the top edge creating half of a basic
plus fold.
Step 3: Now use the pre-folded lines to push in and up on the right bottom
edge of the paper. This will form an inverted triangle, as shown below.

Step 4: Repeat this on the other side, too. Fold the top flap on the right-
hand side diagonally down and out forming a flap as shown below.

Step 5: Now repeat this fold on the left-hand side.

Step 6: Now flip the project over.

Step 7: Take the top flap that forms a downward triangle and fold it up as
far as it will go. This will curve the paper some. Don't worry, that is how
the three-dimensional aspect of this project is created.
Step 8: Take the triangle pointing upward in the center of your project and
fold that flap over the top line, making sure it goes all the way over all the
layers.

Step 9: Fold the triangle flap with a tight crease over the top of the
butterfly.
Step 10: Fold the two sides toward one another, forming a crease along the
centerline.

Step 11: Readjust the curves and folds until you get the shape of the
butterfly that you are happy with.
 Intermediate Projects
In this section, we will be moving on to focus on eight intermediate level
projects.

We will be using several of the basic folding techniques, as well as some

of the extra folds we learned in the beginner section while adding a few
more steps.
In this section, we will learn how to create a:

Fish
Crab
Frog
Men’s shirt
Tie for the shirt
Bow tie
Dress
House
Each one of these projects is perfect for an intermediate skill level, or
when you’re ready to be challenged a bit more.
 Go Fish

Step 1: Begin with a square of paper that has been folded with the basic X
and basic plus folds.

Step 2: Fold the two sides into the centerline, as shown in the picture
below.

Step 3: Using the pre-folded creases, pull out the inner corners and form a
crease from the middle of the piece out to the corner.
Step 4: Then, tuck the corner fold outward forming a fold as shown below.
Repeat on the other side.

Step 5: Rotate the paper. Repeat Steps 2 and 3. Your piece should look
like the one below.
Step 6: Pull down on the edge of the lower right point. Fold until you get
the shape below.

Step 7: Repeat on the other side.

Step 8: Make a diagonal fold along the bottom flap from the upper right
point to the lower-left point.

Step 9: Fold back the triangle portion that overlaps into the other section.
Step 10: Repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Then fold the upper left flap down.

Step 12: Repeat on the other side.

Step 13: Flip the project over and draw an eye and mouth on it (optional).
 Jumping Frogs

Step 1: To make these fun jumping frogs, start by folding your square of
paper in half vertically from the right edge to the left edge.

Step 2: Fold the upper left corner diagonally until the edge lines up along
the right edge.
Step 3: Unfold that line.

Step 4: Now fold the right side the same way.

Step 5: Fold the top portion down until it lines up horizontally with the
fold marks from Steps 2 and 3.
Step 6: While lifting the top layer, pinch in the two edges underneath.

Step 7: Then press the top triangle down, squashing the two inverted
triangles in the inside.

Step 8: Now fold up the two top layer triangle corners like pictured below
to form the frog legs
Step 9: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the folded triangle line

Step 10: Fold the right vertical edge inward to the center vertical line.
Step 11: Fold the left edge in to meet the one in Step 10.
Step 12: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the midline, where the point
from the legs meet.

Step 13: Unfold that flap leaving the crease.

Step 14: Squash open that bottom fold, leaving a triangle on each side.

Step 15: Fold back the lower right triangle like in the picture below to
give the frog another leg.
Step 16: Repeat that fold on the left triangle.

Step 17: Fold the bottom half of the frog up to the top.
Step 18: Fold that top half back down, forming another crease.

Step 19: Use your finger to press down.

 Men’s Shirt

Step 1: To begin making these shirts, take a piece of paper that has been
cut vertically from a square piece folded in half. It should be twice as long
as it is wide.
Step 2 : Fold that piece in half vertically.
Step 3: Fold each side in to touch that vertical crease.

Step 4: Fold out the inner right corner until it looks like it is pictured
below.
Step 5: Repeat on the other side.

Step 6: Flip the piece over.

Step 7: Fold the bottom edge up about half an inch.

Step 8: The flip the project over again.

Step 9: Rotate it 180 degrees and fold the upper left corner in until the
point touches the center crease.
Step 10: Repeat with the other corner.

Step 11: Fold the bottom edge up until the bottom edge tucks under the
collar.
Step 12: Crease that line. And voila!
 A Tie to go with the Shirt

Step 1: Start with the basic X fold and orient the paper on a diagonal. Fold
the left corner in to touch the midline.

Step 2: Repeat on the right side.

Step 3: Fold the left edge in towards the lid line again.

Step 4: Repeat on the right side.

Step 5: Fold the top tip down.

Step 6: Fold the top rectangle down, as shown below.

Step 7: Turn the project over.

Step 8: Create another fold and flip back over, like shown below.
Step 9: Just below the rectangle push in the edge, creating the little
inverted fold like below.

Step 10: Fold the length of the tie out at an angle, going from a thicker
fold to a thinner one until you reach the bottom triangle.
Step 11: Press that fold down well.

Step 12: Repeat on the other side.

Step 13: Flip the project over.
 Bow Tie

Step 1: Start with a paper that is 3:4 ratio - 3 width and 4 vertical. Then,
fold that lengthwise.
Step 2: Fold the right edge in towards the midline.

Step 3: Repeat the process on the left side.

Step 4: Fold the piece in half from the bottom up.

Step 5: Make that crease.
Step 6: Now press down that triangle.

Step 7: Now repeat on the other side.

 Paper Doll Dress

Step 1: Start with a piece of paper folded in the basic X and plus folds.

Step 2: Fold the right edge in toward the midline.

Step 3: Repeat the same fold with the left-hand side.
Step 4: Flip the project over.

Step 5: Fold the right-hand side in towards the midline.

Step 6: Repeat with the other side.

Step 7: Fold the bottom edge up halfway, as shown in the picture below.

Step 8: Press that crease.

Step 9: Fold the top layer back down, letting the paper make a slight
overlap in the middle.

Step 10: Take the lower right corner and pull it out and over to reveal the
pleat and crease.
Step 11: Repeat on the other side.

Step 12: Flip the project over.

Step 13: Fold in the two inner corners to create triangles, as shown below.
Step 14: Pull down on the top center edge until you achieve this little
pocket.

Step 15: Press the edges down, and it should look like the photo below.
Step 16: Fold the two triangles back, creating a V shape, then fold the left
edge in towards the center.

Step 17: Press the fold out to form a full skirt.

Step 18: Fold the other side to match.

Step 19: Fold out the top center corner to create a sleeve.
 Paper Houses

Step 1: Start with a piece of paper that is about twice as long as it is wide.
This one is 6 inches by 3 inches. Fold it in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Then fold it in half widthwise.
Step 3: Flip it over and fold the left edge in until it reaches the halfway
line.

Step 4: Flip the paper over.

Step 5: Fold the top and bottom edges in as if it is 1/2 the distance
between each edge.
Step 6: Fold the side edges out. Form creases where the little triangles
form.

Step 7: Fold the sides in so that the edge lines up with the center crease
line.
Step 8: Fold the opposite edge up and over the area where you have been
working so that the bottom edge is flush with the top point of the triangle.

Step 9: Create a good crease there.

Step 10: Fold the upper right corner diagonally until it reaches the edge of
the other side. Flip the project over.

Step 11: Fold up the little overhang.

 Advanced Projects
We’ll finish the book by learning how to create 5 more advanced projects.

These projects include:

Mouse
Crab
Sword
Cat
Sliding Star
Dinosaur
These advanced level projects are fun and just the right level of difficulty
for when you’re ready to take on a challenge.
I love all of the projects in this book, but the dinosaur is my personal
favorite. It’s super cute!
 Squeaky Mouse

Step 1: To begin to make the mouse, fold a piece of paper in half

diagonally.

Step 2: Fold the 2 bottom edges in until they completely line up with the
centerline.
Step 3: Fold in the opposite edges until they line up with the centerline.

Step 4: Fold the center flaps that were created so that the edge lines up
against the horizontal centerline.
Step 5: Flip the piece over.
Step 6: Flip one long point on the diamond back and towards the other
long point. Fold it about 1/3 of the way back

Step 7: Fold the piece in half longways.

Step 8: Fold the ears back, as shown in the picture below.

Step 9: Tuck the tail in about halfway down.

Step 10: Then fold it back out so that it sticks up.

Step 11: Use a marker to draw on his face if wanted.
 Cute Crawling Crab

Step 1: To begin to make an origami crab, fold your paper into an X and a
plus fold.
Step 2: Fold both sides into an inverted triangle.
Step 3: Flip the triangle over.

Step 4: Fold the top left triangle over to the right side.
Step 5: Then fold the upper right corner down into a flap.
Step 6: Then do the same thing to the corresponding triangle on the right
side.
Step 7: Rotate the project 180 degrees.
Step 8: Fold the bottom edge up to create a small overhang.
Step 9: Turn the project 180 degrees.

Step 10: Fold the top layer of paper on the right side, forming a claw.

Step 11: Repeat on the left side.

Step 12: Fold up the triangle sticking out of the bottom.

Step 13: Fold the tips of the claws to create more detail.
 Pirate Sword

Step 1: To begin making the sword, start with a piece of paper folded in an
x and a plus fold.

Step 2: Fold 2 opposite corners to the center point.

Step 3: Flip the piece over.

Step 4: Fold the top and bottom edge lining up against the midline.

Step 5: Fold the overhanging triangles back in so they are touching the
midline.
Step 6: Fold the left edge up and over the piece, until it lines up, as shown
in the next few photos.
Step 7: Fold back the flap leaving a little overhang.

Step 8: Fold the handle flaps in on both sides and use an inverter triangle
fold to create the hilt.

Step 9: Fold in each side of the blade and use the same inverted triangle
fold to create the long thin blade.
 Cat, I’m a Kitty Cat

Step 1: Start with a piece of paper that is 7” by 3” or a size similar.

Step 2: Flip the paper over and fold each upper corner until it touches the
other side.
Step 3: Then squash fold the upper creases forming a flattened triangle.

Step 4: Fold the piece lengthwise to get a good crease.

Step 5: Unfold and then fold each edge in towards the midline.
Step 6: Unfold, flip over, and fold the pointed tip in until it touches the
triangle baseline.
Step 7: Fold the pieces in forming a box at the bottom, then crease the
side and fold the back down. It should look like this.
Step 8: Fold the two sides in and diagonally, creating a shape like shown
above.

Step 9: Fold the two triangle flaps down and over the back part.
Step 10: Then, fold those flaps up to crease the cat ears. Fold the little
point on the center of the head down.

Step 11: Fold the bottom edge up until the whole project is covered except
for the ears poking out. Crease and unfold.
Step 12: Fold the outer edge in and diagonally, as shown above.

Step 13: Fold the project back up along the halfway line and then fiddle
with the tail to perfect it. Flip the project over.
 Sliding Star

Step 1: To begin to make a sliding star, you will need 8 square pieces of
paper.
Step 2: Fold an X and a + (plus) fold on the first piece of paper. Fold in a
corner to touch the center point.

Step 3: Fold another corner in as well.

Step 4: Fold the paper in half lengthwise.

Step 5: Tuck in the back edge.

Step 6: Your piece should look like the one in the picture below.

Step 7: Do the same for the 7 remaining pieces of paper.

Step 8: Slide one of the points into the open flap side of another piece.

Step 9: Open the flap and tuck in the little triangle overlap.
Step 10: Repeat on the other side.

Step 11: Yours should look like the one pictured below.
Step 12: Use another piece and repeat the process.

Step 13: Work your way around adding all 8 pieces, and you should have a
ring when finished.
 “Rawr!” I’m a Dinosaur

Step 1: Fold a square piece of paper into X and + folds.

Step 2: Then, form a double inverted square fold
Step 3: Fold the edge pieces on the right side up and down to meet along
the midline.

Step 4: Repeat on the other side.

Step 5: Form a crease with the triangle on the left side.

Step 6: Fold the top layer to the left being careful not to fold past the
crease.
Step 7: Fold the bottom flap in and repeat the same motion with the top
flap.

Step 8: Flip the project over and repeat.

Step 9: Form a little fold and crease as shown in the picture above
Step 10: Fold the little creased area back, so it looks like the picture
above.

Step 11: Use a couple of inverted folds to form the head and the front
arms.
Step 12: Fold down the top and back flap of his legs and use inverted folds
to create his feet.
 Conclusion
Thank you for reading my book.

I have always loved the relaxation I get from creating origami art. Ever
since I dove into this art form, I have wanted to share it with others.

I hope you have experienced the same sort of relaxation from folding these
little pieces of paper as I have.

As I said before, one of my favorite projects to make is the dinosaur. I

once made 15 for a friend’s cub scout group as sort of boy oriented
valentine’s day cards. They loved them!

If you would do me a huge favor? Would you please leave a review for this
book wherever you purchased it?

I value your feedback immensely and will use your comments to make my
next books even better (hopefully!).

Thank you again and happy folding!