The following two models, from the book "Blade Paper Folding" by Joy Sam, have kindly been submitted by Alysha. She created the tutorials while helping her son to fold. Thanks Alysha, for sharing with us and for the time and effort to record these in accessible text-only format for readers' personal use only.
MODEL 1 - CAPTAIN AMERICA'S SHIELD
These are instructions to fold a model of Captain America’s shield from 5 sheets of paper:
2 15 cm sheets of red paper, 1 15 cm sheet of white paper, 1 7.5 cm sheet of white paper, and 1 7.5 sheet of blue paper.
To create 7.5 cm paper from 15 cm paper, just fold the 15 cm sheet into quarters and cut or tear along the creases.
The model will be octagonal, largely flat, and consist of several layers nested on top of each other, forming the appearance of Captain America’s shield. In the center of the model will be a grip that allows one to spin it like a top.
To complete the first unit, use a 15 cm sheet of red paper:
1. Create pre-creases by folding the paper in half both directions and diagonally both directions, unfolding each time.
2. With the colored side of the paper facing down, position the paper so its edges are oriented to the top and bottom, left and right. Fold the right and left edges of the paper inward to meet the vertical center line, forming a cupboard fold.
3. Now fold the top and bottom edges in to meet the horizontal center line, forming another cupboard fold. Allow the flaps you just folded to point up toward the ceiling.
4. Insert your fingers inside the flap closest to you that is now pointing to the ceiling. The surface of the flap facing away from you consists of two squares divided vertically. The surface closest to you consists of a single rectangle. Bring the top edge of this rectangle downward and away from you to rest flat along the horizontal center line of the model while allowing the squares to fold outward to the left and right while also each folding in half diagonally to form triangular points. The resulting shape will look like the bottom of a sailboat.
5. Complete step 4 on the upper half of the model. The model will now be hexagonal. It will have a central square shape with a horizontal line in the center where two raw edges of paper meet. On the left an right will be triangular sections that are divided horizontally into two smaller triangular flaps on each side.
6. For each of the 4 triangular flaps on the sides, insert a finger into the open edge of the flap and turn the flap inside out, tucking it under the top layer of paper in the central square. After all 4 flaps have been tucked, the model will be square in shape with a top surface that is flat and divided horizontally by a line where 2 raw edges of paper meet.
7. Observe the right edge of the model on the half of the model farthest from you. It consists of 3 layers stacked. Lift the top layer only at this edge and fold it up to meet the top edge of the model. This should not require a new crease, it is just turning a triangular flap at the top right of corner of the model over like the page of a book. You will now have what appears like a square base on the top right corner of the model.
8. We will now petal fold the corner structure formed in the previous step. To do this, first fold the bottom left and right edges of the structure inward to meet the center. These are the edges resting on top of the model, not the edges aligning with the model’s outer edges. Fold the upper right corner of the model downward, folding along the line formed by the tops of the flaps you just folded. Unfold all three of the folds you just made. Lift the top layer only of the bottom point of the structure upward past the corner of the model, allowing it to fold along the creases you just made. It will form an elongated diamond shape with two raw edges of paper meeting in a line down the middle.
9. Repeat steps 7-8 on the three remaining corners of the model. Your model will now have a central square shape with points protruding outward from each of the four corners.
10. The top layer of your square consists of 4 triangular flaps meeting in the center. Fold each of these flaps outward as far as they will go. Your model now has eight points framing a smooth central square.
11. For each of the flaps you just folded outward, divide the flap roughly in thirds. Fold approximately 2/3 of the flap back inward toward the center of the model. Then mountain fold the tip of the flap downward and tuck it under the ridge formed by the base of the flap. The model will now be square with sharp points protruding from each of the four corners. It will have raised portions along the edges forming a frame-like shape on top of the square.
12. Finally, fold each of the protruding corner points inward toward the center of the model. When you lift one of these points, you will reveal a smaller triangular corner portion underneath. Also fold these smaller corners inward along the line formed by the base of the flap forming the sharp points. The model will now be octagonal with 4 longer triangular flaps pointing inward toward the center with 4 shorter triangular flaps on top of them also pointing toward the center. This completes unit 1.
For unit 2, use a white sheet of 15 cm paper:
1. Fold all four corners of the paper in to meet the center using your preferred method.
2. Fold all four corners inward to meet the center again.
3. Fold each of the flaps you just folded outward again, allowing approximately ¼ of the triangular flap to extend past the edge of the model. The model now has eight points sticking out: four small ones from this step and four large ones.
4. Fold the four large triangular points inward to meet the center, making the crease extend between the places where the smaller triangular points meet the edge of the model. The model is now roughly square with four small triangular points extending outward from each corner and four triangular flaps pointing toward the center.
5. We will now insert unit 2 into unit 1. Observe unit 1 which has eight edges. Four of these edges carry triangular flaps pointing toward the center of the model, and four edges have flat folded “frame” edges. Unit 2 will be inserted so that it covers all of the triangular flaps from unit 1 that point to the center, and the small triangular points from the corners of unit 2 will slide underneath the frame edges of unit 1. The two units assembled will form an octagonal shape with the units forming an overlapping/alternating outer edge. In the center will be four triangular flaps from unit 2. Between and underneath these triangular flaps will be straight ridges forming pockets.
To form unit 3, use a 15 cm sheet of red paper:
1. With the colored side of the paper facing downward, fold in all four corners to meet the center. Repeat this twice more for a total of 3 times.
2. Mountain fold each of the central points outward, tucking them under the flaps. You should fold under about 1/3 of the flap, forming an open square shape in the center of the unit.
3. To insert this unit, each of the corners should slide into the pockets that you can find between the triangular flaps from unit 2. Unit 3 should rest on top of those triangular flaps. This is similar to how we inserted unit 2 into unit 1. We now have an octagonal unit with 3 layers of alternating/overlapping edges. There is an open square in the center defined by the folded flaps from unit 3.
To form unit 4, use a 7.5 cm sheet of blue paper:
1. With the colored side of the paper facing down, fold all four corners inward to meet the center.
2. Flip the unit over and then fold in all four corners to meet the center.
3. Flip the unit over again and then fold in all four corners to meet the center.
4. Flip the unit over one more time. Mountain fold each of the triangular points in the center of the model downward and outward, tucking them into the pockets formed at each of the corners. The resulting unit will be square with an open diamond shape on top formed by the folded edges of the central flaps.
5. Set aside this unit for now. It is best to assemble units 4 and 5 before inserting into the rest of the model.
To form unit 5, use a 7.5 cm sheet of white paper:
1. Fold in all four corners to the center.
2. Fold in all four corners to the center again.
3. Fold the resulting square along its diagonals and in half horizontally and vertically, unfolding each time.
4. Fold the model along one of the diagonals to form a triangle with smooth surfaces facing up and down and the folded corners hidden inside.
5. Grasp the points of the triangle on either side of the base and bring them inward, allowing the front and back of the triangle to fold outward. This forms the shape of the waterbomb base with four triangular flaps joined together at 90 degree angles.
6. To insert unit 5 into unit 4, unit 5 should be positioned with its closed point facing upward. Each of the four bottom corners of unit 5 should be inserted into the pockets formed at the corners of unit 4. This can be tricky, and you will need to pinch open the pockets of unit 4 and possibly slightly unfold the flaps on unit 4’s underside temporarily as you insert unit 5. The resulting structure will be 3-D with unit 5 remaining as 4 triangular flaps joined at a 90 degree angle, and unit 4 surrounding the bottom of unit 5.
7. Last, to complete the assembly of the shield, examine the rest of the model. There is a central open square bounded by the folded edges of 4 flaps. The corners of units 4/5 should be inserted underneath these edges, locking them in place. Now, unit 5 forms a grip that can be used to spin the model. Depending on how far you folded back the central flaps of unit 3, they may cover too much of unit 4, or they may allow units 4 and 5 to move too freely. You may need to experiment with the exact proportions that will allow unit 4 to be visible while not allowing it to shift too much. Alternatively, if your units 4/5 are too loose, you may consider securing them with a dab of glue for optimal spinning potential.
MODEL 2 - SPIDER SPINNER
To form unit 1, use a 15 cm square sheet of black paper:
1. Fold the paper in half both directions and along both diagonals, creasing and unfolding each time.
2. Orient the paper with its edges facing top and bottom, left and right. Fold the left and right edges of the paper inward to meet the center line, forming a cupboard fold.
3. Take each of the edges you just folded and fold them back out again to align with the left and right edges of the model. Your model now has vertical folded strips on the left and right sides.
4. Complete the same folds from steps 2 and 3 using the top and bottom edges, so first fold them in to meet the center and then back out again to meet the top and bottom edges of the model. Your model will now appear to be a frame-like structure with an open square in the middle surrounded by folded strips along the model’s edges.
5. Observe that each of the corners of the model has a raised square where the frame edges meet. The square structure is composed of the portion of one edge that folds around the other at the corner. Take the corner of the square that rests on the outer edge of the model and fold it to meet the opposite corner of the square. There are two potential corners you could use for this, and you should choose the one with more layers that can be folded. Crease and unfold.
6. Repeat with the remaining corners.
7. Choose one of the corners of your model to work with. Lift the folded edges of the frame that face inside the model on either side of the corner so they stand up at a roughly 90 degree angle from the table. Unfold and open the entire corner structure as much as possible. Next, flatten the frame edges back down, allowing the corner structure to collapse into a new shape pointing off the table with your previous creases helping to guide the movement. The corner can then be bent to one side to lie flat. To describe the corner in its final configuration, imagine it has three components. The first is a triangle connected at its base to the model between the outer corner of the model and the inner corner of the frame. This triangle has 2 layers, each of which is an extension of one of the frame’s edges. With the corner structure lying flat, there is a square portion that extends out past the edge of the model, and a triangular tip on the far edge of that square. The shape that extends past the model’s edge looks like half of a house shape.
8. Repeat with all remaining corners of the model. Now all frame edges lie flat, and each corner of the model has a half house shape protruding from one side.
9. Orient the model so one of the half house shapes points directly away from you. Fold it so the left vertical edge of the house lines up with the bottom edge of the house where the house meets the rest of the model. Crease and unfold. Then repeat with the right vertical edge. This should form an “x” shape in the middle of the square portion of the half house.
10. Repeat with all remaining half house shapes.
11. Now, orient one of the half houses so it lifts off the table in a 90 degree angle and points directly at you. Open the edge that faces away from you and allow its two layers to separate and start folding down toward either side along the existing creases. At the same time, open the edge facing you, pressing away from you with a finger and encouraging the entire structure to flatten against the table in a squash fold. The top layer will flatten into a full house shape whose roof is only 1 layer of paper thick. The roof of the house should point directly outward from the corner of the model. There will be a small triangular portion pointing out from the floor of the house, connecting the house to the rest of the model.
12. Flip the model over from left to right.
13. For each of the house shapes extending out from the model’s corners, fold in the sloped edges of the “rooves” to meet the center line, narrowing the points of the houses.
14. Flip the model over again from left to right.
15. Now, fold each of the houses in half by turning half of the house over like the page of a book to rest on the other half. Each house must be folded in the same orientation as the others. So, for example, if you look at the bottom right house and fold down the top, then as you rotate the model clockwise to put the next house in the bottom right position, you must fold down the top of this one as well.
16. Flip each of the houses you just folded inside out so they wrap around the edge of the model and leave one point protruding from each corner. If done correctly, the model should now be square in shape with the only protrusions being the 4 points extending from each corner. Each point should be oriented the same as the others as you spin the model. The top of the model still has the frame shape with an open square in the middle.
17. In order for the model to spin as well as possible, it is recommended to secure each of the points of this unit together with glue so they lie as flat as possible and do not separate into layers.
To form unit 2, use a 15 cm square sheet of black paper:
1. Fold in all 4 corners of the paper to meet the center.
2. Flip the model over and fold in all 4 corners again to meet the center.
3. Flip the model over and fold in all 4 corners to the center one more time.
4. Flip the model over. Next, insert this unit into unit 1. This unit will cover the open square in the center of unit 1 and slide under the frame edges of unit 1. The corners of unit 2 should rest at the center of each of the edges of unit 1.
5. 4 triangular flaps from unit 2 meet in the center of the model. Fold each of these points out to meet the outer edge of the model.
To form unit 3, use a 15 cm sheet of red paper:
1. Fold in all four corners to the center.
2. Fold in all four corners to the center again.
3. Fold in all 4 corners to the center a third time.
4. Fold the resulting square along its diagonals and in half horizontally and vertically, unfolding each time.
5. Fold the model along one of the diagonals to form a triangle with smooth surfaces facing up and down and the folded corners hidden inside.
6. Grasp the points of the triangle on either side of the base and bring them inward, allowing the front and back of the triangle to fold outward. This forms the shape of the waterbomb base with four triangular flaps joined together at 90 degree angles.
7. To insert unit 3 into the model, hold it with its closed point facing upward off the table. Insert each of the bottom points of unit 3 underneath the folded frame edges of units 1 and 2, with each point resting at the center of one of the straight edges. Your spider spinner is now complete.
Making origami accessible through text-based instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Alysha Hiller, January 2026
This text copyright 2026 by accessorigami.com and the author.
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