THE WATERBOMB BASE - TEXT INSTRUCTIONS

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The following instructions were generated with the help of Chat GPT 5 after specifying only the sequence of folds and asking for text with no reference to visuals. The use of at least two sources were also

specified within the prompt. No changes were made to the generated output, which you can find below.

Note the handy Sequence Summary after the main tutorial followed by links to all relevant sources.

For more background on these types of instructions and with regard to Origami and AI in general, you can read my short post at the link below.

Origami and AI Instructions - Might things have Changed?

If you have any feedback on this subject, please contact me at accessorigami@gmail.com.

THE WATERBOMB BASE - TEXT INSTRUCTIONS - CHAT GPT 5

Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side up (if using two‑sided paper)—this ensures the colored side will be the exterior later. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com
Valley‑fold horizontally: fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease well then unfold. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com
Valley‑fold vertically: fold the right edge over to meet the left edge. Crease, then unfold. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com

At this point, you have created a “+” crease pattern (horizontal and vertical folds).
Flip the paper over, so the white (reverse) side is now facing up. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com
Valley‑fold along a diagonal: fold one corner to the opposite one (e.g., bottom-left to top-right). Crease, then unfold. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com
Valley‑fold the other diagonal: fold the remaining two opposite corners together, crease, then unfold. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com

Now you have created an “X” crease pattern overlaying the “+”, giving you a full crease grid necessary for collapsing.
Collapse into the base (sometimes referred to as a “prayer fold” or “inside reverse folds”):
- Pinch the left and right edges inward (towards the center), while simultaneously bringing the top and bottom edges as needed to form a triangle shape.
- This will naturally collapse the paper along the previously made creases, flattening it into a triangular shape with four triangular flaps around the base. folds.netorigami-resource-center.comOrigami.me
The result is the Waterbomb Base: an isosceles‑right triangle with four flaps—each originating from one side of the square. folds.netorigami-resource-center.comWikipedia

Sequence Summary (Plain List)

Colored side facing up
Fold horizontal (top to bottom), crease, unfold
Fold vertical (right to left), crease, unfold
Turn paper over (white/blank side up)
Fold one diagonal, crease, unfold
Fold the other diagonal, crease, unfold
Collapse paper into the Waterbomb Base (triangle with four flaps)

Comparison with Trusted Sources

Folds.net: Steps 1–5 align with making the horizontal and vertical valley folds, then flipping (step 6) to make diagonal valley‑folds, then collapsing into the base in steps 10–14. folds.net
Origami‑Resource‑Center: Matches precisely—horizontal + vertical, flip over, diagonal folds, then collapse to finish. origami-resource-center.com

These closely match your requested sequence—with horizontal & vertical first, flip, then diagonal folds, ending in the collapse to form the base.

Additional Clarification from Other Guides

Origami.me also instructs: “fold and unfold in half both horizontally and vertically, then turn the paper over, fold/unfold both diagonals, then collapse into the base.” Origami.me
Make‑Origami.com provides the same sequence: “horizontal, vertical, then turn over, diagonal folds, then collapse.” Make-Origami.com

Sources

Folds.net (Jasper’s diagrams) — clear outline of initial folds and collapse process folds.net
Origami‑Resource‑Center — concise, step‑by‑step matching your sequence origami-resource-center.com

Making Origami Accessible Through Text-Based Instructions

Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe - August 2025

For non-commercial use only.

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