Mastering the Basics of Origami Folds Essential Terms and Techniques
Mastering the Basics of Origami Folds Essential Terms and Techniques
Mastering the Basics of Origami Folds Essential Terms and Techniques - Origami is a fascinating art form that has been practiced for centuries. It involves the folding of paper to create beautiful and intricate designs. However, like any other craft, origami has its own set of terms and techniques that must be mastered. In this article, we will explore some of the basic folds in origami.
One of the most fundamental origami folds is the Book fold. To make this fold, take a rectangular or square piece of paper and fold it vertically down the middle. Ensure that the opposite edges of the paper are lined up one on top of the other. For many origami figures, you will need to add another Book fold. To do this, open the paper and make another fold across the middle horizontally. Make sure the edges are aligned before making the fold. If you don't open the paper before making the second fold, you will end up with the handkerchief fold, which gives you a small square with four layers of paper on top of each other.
Another essential fold is the Cupboard. To make this fold, take a square piece of paper and fold it in half vertically using the Book fold technique. Open the paper and take each outside edge, folding it to the center line. By bringing each edge over to the next line, you will end up with even more equal vertical strips.
The Fan is another popular fold that is created by folding a Cupboard. To make this fold, open the Cupboard and create three valley folds, dividing the Cupboard into four equal-sized strips. Turn the figure over and fold the edges onto the outer lines, making two mountain folds. Refold the Cupboard and turn it over again. Fold the edges into the middle line, resulting in two mountain folds. Fold up the figure, and you have made an eight-fold fan with alternating mountain and valley folds, also known as an accordion fold.
The Lattice is created by making a Cupboard from a square piece of paper, opening it, and repeating the procedure by folding it in a horizontal direction. Once you open the paper, you will have the Lattice, which consists of 16 equal-sized squares that can be used to make boxes, houses, and simple animal bodies.
The Shawl is another popular fold that involves making a diagonal fold down the middle of a square piece of paper. Ensure that your edges and corners lie on top of each other. If you need a second diagonal fold, open the paper entirely before starting the second fold to get a more precise line.
The Envelope is a fold that involves making diagonal folds down the center of a square piece of paper in both directions. Open the paper and bring each corner up to the middle.
The Picture Frame is made by first creating the Envelope. Then, open the envelope, turn each corner up to the outer diagonal line, and fold the four corners inward to create a picture frame.
Finally, the Heaven and Hell fold is made by folding an Envelope, turning it over, and folding each corner up into the center again. When you turn the figure over, you will see pockets on the other side. This figure is dubbed Heaven and Hell because it was usually made on red and blue paper. This particular fold can be used for making simple hand puppets and animal heads.
In conclusion, origami is an art form that requires patience, creativity, and a thorough understanding of its terms and techniques. These basic folds are just the beginning of what you can achieve with origami. With practice and experimentation, you can create stunning designs that will amaze and delight your friends and family.
FAQs:
Q: What kind of paper is best for origami? A
: Origami paper is usually thin and slightly textured to help with folding. However, you can also use regular printer paper, scrapbook paper, or even wrapping paper.
Q: Is origami difficult to learn?
A: While some origami designs can be quite challenging, there are many simple designs that are perfect for beginners. With practice and patience, anyone can learn the basics of origami.
Q: How can I improve my folding technique?
A: The key to good origami is keeping your folds crisp and clean. Take your time and use a ruler or bone folder to make your folds as precise as possible.
Tips:
Start with simple designs: Choose simple designs that only require a few folds to start with. As you gain confidence and skill, you can move on to more complex designs.
Use the right paper: Experiment with different types of paper to find the one that works best for you. Origami paper is a good choice for beginners, but don't be afraid to try other types of paper as well.
Practice, practice, practice: Like any skill, the more you practice origami, the better you will get. Try to set aside some time each day to work on your folding technique.
Watch instructional videos: There are many instructional videos available online that can help you learn new techniques and designs.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Origami is all about experimentation and creativity. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and try new things.