Text-Based Instructions by Lindy van der Merwe - copyright 2025
https://www.accessorigami.com
This base may seem complicated, but actually the folds are not really difficult, except, perhaps, for the last petal-type folds.
You will be repeating the folds, which means that, once you know e.g. the squash fold, you can make the next three folds more easily.
Another aspect some people struggle with is to keep track of flipping the folds and the model over.
I have tried, in this tutorial, to break up the folding into various parts that should make the sequence easier to follow for those just starting to learn this base.
It is strongly suggested you first learn to fold the Preliminary or Square Base before attempting this base, since we will start with it.
We can think of the Frog Base as the Preliminary Base that has four squash folds and then four petal-type folds added to it. In the same way, the Bird Base is also the Preliminary Base with two (more commonly used) petal folds added.
If you have folded the traditional lily, you might realize that it also starts from the Frog Base. Some people even recognize the lily as a base itself.
Part 1 - The Preliminary Base
You can find how to fold this base at the following link:
https://www.accessorigami.com/p/introduction-to-folds-and-bases-used-in.html
Place your finished base with its closed point facing away from you.
It will have 2 large flaps on the left and 2 on the right.
Part 2 - Squash Folds
This part involves making four squash folds using the four flaps of the Square Base.
Important: We are folding the top, closed edges of the figure in this part.
Step 1
Start on the right front flap.
Valley fold the top edge to meet the center.
Unfold and mountain fold the same flap in the opposite direction. Unfold.
Lift up the flap, open it and, , using the two folds you have made, squash the paper down flat.
Result: First squash fold made.
Step 2
Flip the model over to the other side, from left to right.
Step 3
Repeat the same squash fold you made in Step 1 on this side of the model.
Result: Second squash fold made.
Step 4
Lift up the shape from the table and flip the large left front flap over to the right.
Also, flip the large right back flapover to the left.
Step 5
Repeat Step 1 to make your third squash fold.
Step 6
Flip the model over to the other side, from left to right.
Step 7
Repeat Step 1 to make your fourth squash fold.
Result: After all 4 squash folds have been made your figure will be a symmetrical kite shape If you look at the main body of the figure, you will find 4 two-layered flaps on the left and 4 two-layered flaps on the right.
If you focus on the small triangles peeking out at the bottom of the shape, there will be two on the left and two on the right. These triangles will lay with their closed sides towards each other and will be divided by a kind of vertical slit.
Part 3 - Petal-Type Folds
We are now going to make four petal-type folds. They may seem similar, but they are a little different from those of the Bird Base.
Important: We are now folding the bottom edges of the figure in this part.
Step 8
Valley fold the bottom left front flap to meet the center.
Valley fold the bottom right front flap to meet the center.
Make sure the two sides line up perfectly and then unfold both.
Notice that the top layer of the model has a straight edge nearest you.
Lift up this straight bottom edge, the single front layer only, gently pushing it away from you, while, at the same time, using the folds made to let the sides fold inwards.
Gently coax the folds into place until they touch along the center crease. Once the folds are flattened, what was the bottom edge should have formed a sharp point that will be facing away from you.
It might take some practice for you to make these petal folds look good. It will help if you start at the point nearest you and take your time to bring the sides together slowly, before pressing the point of the fold flat, away from you.
Result: First petal fold made.
Step 9
Flip the model over to the other side, from left to right.
Step 10
Repeat the same petal fold you made in Step 8 on this side of the model.
Result: Second petal fold made.
Step 11
Lift up the shape from the table and flip the left front flap over to the right to reveal a smooth surface.
Flip the left front flap over once more to reveal the surface where you will be making your third petal fold.
Also, flip the right back flapover to the left to reveal a smooth surface.
Flip the right back flap over once more to reveal the surface where you will be making your fourth petal fold.
Step 12
Repeat Step 8 to make your third petal fold.
Step 13
Flip the model over to the other side, from left to right.
Step 14
Repeat Step 8 to make your fourth petal fold.
Result: Your Frog Base is complete. It has a single point furthest away from you, with 4 two-layered flaps on the left and another 4 two-layered flaps on the right.
There will also be smaller pointy flaps at the center of the four faces of the model.
Lastly, nearest you, there will be 4 long, moveable skinny points or flaps.
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