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 Easter Chick





Easter Chick







Difficulty: Moderate


Directions:


1a. Print and cut out origami along outer solid lines.
1b. Snip end of feet, as illustrated, to black dot.




2a. Turn paper over. With printed side facing down, fold along line A as illustrated.
2b. Repeat fold along line A on opposite side.

2c. Fold along line B.
2d. Repeat fold along line B on opposite side.




3a. Unfold along your last fold (see 2d). Your "crease" along line B is indicated by the green dashed line. Take note of line C, as indicated by the red solid line.

3b. Unfold along line A. Your origami should appear as illustrated, with the creases as marked by colored lines. (Note: Red line C is not creased yet; the line is marked for your convenience)




4a. Now fold along B line first...

4b. Then fold over along A line, all the while creasing along line C (marked in red) to create the chick's wing.
4c. Repeat above directions on the opposite side to create the other wing. Your origami should now appear as shown.




5a. Fold back along line D.
5b. Fold beak up along line E.
5c. Crease head by folding back along line F. Unfold along line F only.




6a. Fold back along center line.
6b. Crease both ways along line G by first folding forward,
6c. Then folding backward.
6d. Your origami should now have creases along line F (green) and line G (red).




7a. Simultaneously valley fold along line G (red) and mountain fold along line F (green)...
7b. So that your chick appears as shown.




8a. Valley fold along line H.
8b. Fold inward along line I on both sides to create legs.
8c. Fold feet forward, and your chick is pau (done)!


Happy Easter!

©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.



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