Waterbomb Base (Triangular Base) – Text‑Only Instructions - Chat GPT 5

All text copyright 2025 by Lindy van der Merwe

https://www.accessorigami.com

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.

                    

1.  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

2. Valley‑fold horizontally: fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease well then unfold. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com

3. 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).

4. Flip the paper over, so the white (reverse) side is now facing up. folds.netorigami-resource-center.com

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

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Sequence Summary (Plain List)

1. Colored side facing up

2. Fold horizontal (top to bottom), crease, unfold

3. Fold vertical (right to left), crease, unfold

4. Turn paper over (white/blank side up)

5. Fold one diagonal, crease, unfold

6. Fold the other diagonal, crease, unfold

7. Collapse paper into the Waterbomb Base (triangle with four flaps)

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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.

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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

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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

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Making Origami Accessible Through Text-Based Instructions

Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe - August 2025

For non-commercial use only.

This text is copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com and the author.