MDL0128 - ORIGAMI - RECTANGULAR WRAPPER (FROM A SQUARE OR A RECTANGLE)

Design: Lindy van der Merwe/Traditional/Unknown
Text-Only Tutorial © 2026 by Lindy van der Merwe
accessorigami.com
Folding Level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: Open wrapper: 13; Closed wrapper: 17

Description: This model is very loosely based on traditional chopstick wrappers. It uses simple folds to form a long rectangular parcel with the option of closing it at both ends or leaving one end open. The wrapper has two compartments and its length may be varied by changing the bands folded at the top and bottom as well as by the starting shape of the paper, which could be a rectangle or a square.
The locking mechanism for this long wrapper is fine for light use, but it may be a good idea to add a sticker or some tape for extra security if using it as a wrapper for a gift.
It can be used for wrapping long, flat gifts, money, gift cards or when left open at one end, for wrapping cutlery for a party.
The longer the top and bottom folds are made, the shorter the wrapper, which may also, in general terms, make it slightly more secure.
Follow steps 1 to 10 below, after which you may choose between the open or closed version of the wrapper.

Step 1

Place a square, color side down, with one of its edges horizontal.
If using a rectangle, place it in portrait orientation, or with the short edges at the top and bottom.

Step 2

Fold the left edge to meet the right edge; crease well and then unfold, leaving a valley crease along the center of the paper.

Step 3

Make a cupboard fold by bringing in the long sides to meet the center vertical crease from the previous step.
Crease well on both sides and leave folded.

Step 4

In this step we are going to bring the bottom edge of the cupboard fold up to meet the top edge, but we won't be making a crease line at the bottom of the paper.
Instead, once the two top edges of the paper meet, just hold all the layers together between the thumb and fingers of one hand.
You will be holding four layers in total.

Step 5

Now, line up the top edges nicely, using both hands and once you have all the layers on top of each other, fold them all at once over towards you, making a valley fold about 1 cm from the top edge of the paper.
For a shorter wrapper, you can make this fold further from the top edges of the paper.
If you do not want a horizontal fold in the middle of the wrapper, try not to press the bottom edge flat while performing this "folding-over" step.
Once you have decided on where to make your fold, crease strongly through all the layers and then let the paper unfold.

Step 6

Unfold the fold from Step 4 so you have the cupboard again, now with one crease line near the top and another near the bottom of the long rectangle.

Step 7

Focus on the crease line near the bottom edge of the paper, which we will refer to as Line X. It will be a mountain fold. Turn it into a valley fold by folding it away from you.
Recrease and unfold and now the top and bottom creases will both be valley folds.

Step 8

Form a small triangle by folding the left corner of the paper diagonally up so the left edge meets Line X.
Leave this triangle folded.

Step 9

Fold the bottom edge, both layers, upwards along Line X. A kind of "band" will form and the folded triangle from the previous step will now be hidden.

Step 10

Similar to what you did in Step 8, create another small triangle, but this time on the right and using a valley fold.
So, you will take the right corner of the band and fold it diagonally down towards you so the right edge meets Line X, which is now the folded bottom edge of the wrapper.

* For an Open Wrapper, continue with Variation 1 below; for a Closed Wrapper, go to Variation 2.

Variation 1 - Open wrapper

Step 11

Fold the rectangle closed by bringing the left edge over to meet the right edge, using the existing vertical fold line.

Step 12

Focus on the short end of the rectangle nearest you. On the inside of the model, that will now resemble a closed book, there will be two folded triangles. The triangle that is part of the "front page" of the book will form a hidden "fixed" corner while the triangle that forms part of the "back page" will be a moveable/loose tab.
Gently lift the moveable flap and tuck it over the "fixed" corner triangle. Crease strongly through all the layers of the paper, as if you are sealing an envelope.
This side of the wrapper is now locked in place.

Step 13

Using the "sealing" motion from the previous step, recrease the left and right long edges of the wrapper as well.

* Note: Your open wrapper is now ready for use. You may add cutlery using the open end. Note that you have a choice of two secure pockets.

Variation 2 - Closed wrapper

* Note: It is now time to add a gift or whatever you would like to place inside your wrapper. Simply open the slit along the vertical center of the model and place the gift on either the right or left side, keeping in mind that if anything is placed at the center of the rectangle, it is likely to prevent the wrapper from closing properly when it is folded closed in Step 13.

Step 11

Keeping the model flat on the table, rotate it 180 degrees so the opposite/unfolded end is now nearest you.

Step 12

Repeat Steps 8, 9 and 10 on this side of the rectangle.
The two ends of the paper will now look the same.

Step 13

Fold the rectangle closed by bringing the left edge over to meet the right edge, using the existing vertical fold line.

Step 14

Step 15

Keeping the model flat on the table, rotate it 180 degrees so the opposite/open end is now nearest you.

Step 16

Repeat Step 14 to close this end of the wrapper as well.

Step 17

Finally, recrease the left and right long edges of the wrapper, using your forefingers and thumb to perform the "sealing" motion you used for the short ends of the wrapper.

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