Simple Origami Tutorial

Origami is an art that originated in China in 105 A.D., or perhaps even earlier. This craft requires the artist to fold paper into creative designs, including animals, shapes, and flowers, among other things. While origami may seem like a difficult craft to master, many find it relatively simple, as well as relaxing and enjoyable. For the creative individual, this pastime is not only fun, but a great way to produce impressive decorations and gifts.

How to Make Origami in three Steps:

1. Choose your Paper. There are many different types of paper that origami artists can use. However, beginners may want to start out with pre-cut paper that was specifically made for origami, as this will ensure that they have the perfect size. Artists can also choose the thickness and color of their paper. A beginning origami maker should choose thin paper in an array of their favorite colors. Thinner paper is more forgiving to errors, as it will not crease as deeply, and folds much easier than thicker paper. Selecting colorful paper will also add an additional flair to origami creations, instead of the monotony of black and white.



2. Choose an instructional book or tutorial. It is important to choose an instruction book, video, or tutorial that is easy to understand and offers helpful illustrations. Learning how to make origami by simply reading about it is usually not enough. It is much easier to learn by visual instruction, than by reading about it alone. Additionally, it is not always necessary to purchase a book. There are a wealth of instructional videos and illustrations that are available for free on the internet.

3. Practice and master the basics. Beginners should be sure to start off by creating very basic designs. Origami is an art that must be mastered in increments or it will seem overwhelming. Choose very simple designs, like the origami box, origami parrot, origami plane, and the origami ninja star, which are all 11 folds or under. These designs will help beginners get a feel for the right ways to fold the paper and help them master the basics. It is important for beginners to practice these simple designs a few times, until they feel very comfortable with moving on to more difficult designs.

Creating origami is a fun activity that people of all ages can enjoy. This skill can help artists create personalized gifts, design impressive household decorations, or simply keep their hand busy. While origami may seem intricate and difficult to learn, almost anyone can master this craft with a little patience, practice, and time.