THE SQUARE OR PRELIMINARY BASE

    This base is another that is widely used in origami. It is the starting point for many models, including flowers, boxes, vases, stars, ornaments, and more. The square base has a square or diamond-shaped form when placed flat, as opposed to the waterbomb or balloon base, which has a triangular shape. Viewed as a three-dimensional shape or when held in one's hand, for example, the square base has, similar to the waterbomb base, 4 triangular flaps, extending outwards from the vertical center with the original center of the paper being at the very top of the fold.

The preliminary base is also the starting point for the bird base.


The instructions below are just one method of folding the square base.

For other methods of folding this and other origami bases, see this page:

Introduction to Folds and Bases Used in Origami        


To fold the square or preliminary base:


1. Position a square of paper on your work surface so that its points are facing up and down, left and right.  


2. Bring the left point over to meet the right point. Crease and unfold. 


3. Bring the top point down to meet the bottom point. Crease and unfold.  


4. Turn the paper over and position the square so that its edges are facing up and down, left and right.


5. Bring the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold. 


6. Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and leave folded. 


7. Grasp the resulting rectangle at its left and right sides and push inward. The folds you made previously should allow the model to collapse into a square or diamond shape with one folded flap sticking out towards the front of the model and one sticking out towards the back.  


8. Fold the front flap to the left and fold the back flap to the right so that your model will lie flat. The model will have one open end.    


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