The petal is a very simple example of proper origami (just
paper folding with no cutting or gluing).
This is one of the simplest examples of an origami
project you can make -- which makes it a perfect introduction to
the artform for early grade school children! My thirteen
year old still loves making them as they turn out very pretty.
square of paper - click
here for instructions to make a rectangle of paper (typical 8.5x11
sheet) into a square.
Scotch tape.
Optional: wiggly eyes and glue.
NOTE: origami paper typically comes with each side a
different color -- this is perfect for this project!! You can
find double sided origami paper at your local craft store -- it is inexpensive.
Instructions:
Valley fold paper from edge to edge , making a
rectangle. Crease well and then unfold.
Valley fold the triangle from the other edge to edge,
crease and unfold. You'll now have a square with a
creased plus sign splitting it into 4 quarters.
Valley fold paper from corner to corner , making a
triangle. Crease well and then unfold.
and you end up with a square of paper with creases like
this.
Rotate your paper so one of the creased points is facing
you.
Valley fold the left hand point to the center of the
paper (where the creases cross).
Crease well!
Valley fold the right hand point to the center of the
paper (where the creases cross).
Crease well!
Valley fold bottom left side point to touch the center
crease
Crease well!
Valley fold bottom right side point to touch the center
crease
Crease well!
And you have a petal! You can see that if you're
using double sided paper, you get a cute pattern with the
two colours.
Make 4 more petals. One of them can be a different
color (this will be the body).
Take the body petal and fold it three more times --
first valley fold the left hand edge to the center crease.
Second, valley fold the right hand edge to the center
crease
Last, valley fold the top point down about 1/4 of the
way to make the head.
Crease well or put a drop of glue so it stays down.
Optional: Glue two wiggly eyes onto the head.
Tape the full sized petals, two per side onto the body
to complete your butterfly!
The petal is a very simple example of proper origami (just
paper folding with no cutting or gluing).
