Easy Butterfly Origami

My new book, Easy Butterfly Origami features 30 bold full-color patterns designed to accurately portray the dorsal and ventral sides of some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world!

Origami Folding Tips

Origami, from the Japanese ori (to fold) and kami (paper), began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper to Japan. The print-and-fold crafts and easy diagrams are designed to help children with fine motor skills, directions and hand eye coordination. Some basic origami folding tips:
  • Print and cut out patterns carefully.
  • Fold with clean, dry hands.
  • Follow the instructions. Study the diagrams and be patient.
  • Be precise: fold each crease well, flattening the creases by running your fingertip over the fold.
  • Folding the paper away from you is easier than folding towards you.
  • Be creative...use your origami on greeting cards, holiday decorations, table place cards and bookmarks.

Origami: Humpback Whale



Difficulty: Easy

Directions (use same directions as for dolphin):


1a. Print and cut out origami and dorsal fin.
1b. Snip end of tale, as illustrated, to red dot.






2a. Turn origami over. With printed side down, fold along A as illustrated.
2b. Repeat fold along B.
2c. Fold along C.
2d. Fold along D.







3a. Fold in half, diagonally along F, as illustrated.
3b. Your origami should look like this, with a "tail" flap and a "head" flap.






4a. Unfold "tail" flap. Take note of the diagonal line, highlighted here in red, on the dolphin/whale's flipper.


4b. Folding "tail" flap first, crease dolphin's flipper along the highlighted line as you fold "head" flap over.


4c. Your origami should now look like this, with the flipper folded as shown.




5a. "Valley" fold origami tip inward along E as illustrated.
5b. Fold dorsal fin in half, along solid line, as illustrated.





6. Fold tail fluke down. Tape/glue dorsal fin into place. Your marine mammal is done!


©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
No portion of this website may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the author.



Copyright ©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved. No portion of this web site may be reproduced without prior written consent.