Gathering the Materials
Before we begin, make sure you have the following materials:
- A square sheet of origami paper
- A flat surface to work on
Step 1: Start with a Square Sheet
Begin by laying your square sheet of origami paper in front of you with the colored side facing down. If you don’t have origami paper, you can easily make a square by folding a rectangular piece of paper diagonally and trimming off the excess.
Step 2: Fold the Paper in Half
Take the bottom edge of the square and fold it up to meet the top edge. Crease the fold firmly, then unfold the paper. This will create a crease running from top to bottom.
Step 3: Fold the Paper in Half Again
Now, take the left edge of the square and fold it over to meet the right edge. Crease the fold well and then unfold it. This will create a crease running from left to right, passing through the center of the paper.
Step 4: Bring the Corners to the Center
Next, grab the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the center, aligning it with the bottom edge. Repeat this with the top right corner. You should now have a triangular shape with a horizontal crease at the bottom.
Step 5: Fold the Bottom Flaps Inward
Flip the paper over and fold the bottom flaps up and inward towards the center of the triangular base. These flaps will become the wings of your origami crane.
Step 6: Fold the Bottom Edge Up
Take the bottom edge of the paper and fold it upward, aligning it with the top point of the triangular base. Crease the fold firmly.
Step 7: Fold the Paper in Half
Now, fold the entire paper in half vertically, bringing the left side over to meet the right side. Crease the fold well and then unfold it. This will create a vertical crease in the middle.
Step 8: Fold the Top Corners Down
Bring the top left and right corners of the paper down, so that they meet at the center crease. Crease the folds firmly.
Step 9: Shape the Wings
Open up the paper and hold it by the bottom corners. Slowly push the sides inward to collapse the paper into a diamond-like shape. Extend the wings by gently pulling them apart.
Step 10: Finish and Add Details
Finally, flatten the origami crane by pressing it gently on the table. You can now add any desired details such as eyes or a beak using markers or colored pencils.
That’s it! You have successfully made an origami crane. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to try making more and experimenting with different sizes and colors of paper. Enjoy the art of origami and let your creativity fly!