VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION TO ORIGAMI FOLDS

The following are basic definitions of the folds used in origami, starting with the two core folds, then moving on to other combined folds and lastly, the most used bases.


1 CORE FOLDS


1.1 Valley Fold

A valley fold is when you make a fold that shapes your paper in a “V” shape like a valley. The opposite of a valley fold is a mountain fold.


1.2 Mountain Fold

A mountain fold is when you make a fold that shapes your paper in a “^” shape like a mountain top.


2 ORIGAMI COMBINED FOLDS

Deriving from the two folds mentioned above, more advance folds now become possible, making use of a combination of valley and mountain folds.


2.1 Pleat Fold

The pleat fold will be primarily used to create special pattern textures to your origami by combining a mountain and a valley fold.

This fold is also sometimes called the fan or accordion fold.


2.2 Inside Reverse Fold

The inside reverse fold is one of the most frequently used folds you’ll be using while doing origami. You are reversing a side of the paper and tucking it on the inside.


2.3 Outside Reverse Fold

The outside reverse fold is very similar to the inside reverse fold with the exception of the fact that the reversed side is now exposed on the outside. This fold is much less frequently used than the inside reverse fold.


2.4 Sink Fold

The sink fold is used to “cut off” a part of your shape and make it invisible both from front and back.


2.5 Squash Fold

The squash fold is a very important fold in origami and used for most starter base shapes.

It’s particularly useful to increase the number of flaps a model is using. 


2.6 Petal Fold

The petal fold is another must know fold that you’ll use countless times while doing origami. It looks complex but really isn’t, everything falls into place nicely if you made clean creases.

It starts from a squash fold/square base.


2.7 Rabbit Ear Fold

The rabbit ear fold isn’t used very often, but is very convenient to either create an extra flap or fin (for fishes for example), or thin down a shape.


3 ORIGAMI SIMPLE BASE FOLDS


3.1 Book Fold


A. Place your square with its edges left and right, top and bottom.

B. Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge.

C. Crease and leave folded.


3.2 Cupboard Fold


A. Place your square with its edges left and right, top and bottom.

B. Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge.

C. Crease and unfold.

D. Fold both edges in to meet the vertical center line.

E. Crease and leave folded.


3.3 Kite Fold

This fold is the base for the diamond and fish folds.


A. Place your square with its points left and right, top and bottom.

B. Fold the left point over to meet the right point.

C. Crease and unfold.

D. Fold both bottom edges in to meet the vertical center line.

E. Crease and leave folded.


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