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.

Tiger Lily Origami

These brightly colored flowers can be found in open woods and forest openings throughout western North America, from British Columbia to California, and Idaho to Nevada. Tiger lilies are edible, and can be used as cake decorations. Native Americans boiled or steamed the bulbs, and Chinese planted lilies in rows for food. And who can forget the character Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, the Piccaninny princess of Neverland, who was kidnapped by Captain Hook?

Print and fold a Tiger Lily
 

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate


Directions: Follow the same instructions as the Camellia.

1. Print and cut out Tiger Lily origami along outer solid lines.




2a. With printed side facing down, fold half along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Fold in half along vertical line as shown. Unfold.



3. With printed side facing up, fold in half along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.



4. Your Tiger Lily origami should be creased as shown:
 




5. Fold along blue lines, pulling in on red lines to create a "tent" fold as shown. Your Tiger Lily should now be shaped like a diamond.
 



6a. Fold back right white corner as shown.
6b. Repeat on other side, folding left white corner back as shown.
 



7. Turn your origami over.



8. Repeat process, folding back right and left white corners.
 



9."Open" your Tiger Lily by pulling out right petal, then pulling out left petal.
 




10. Complete your Tiger Lily by folding back down, as shown.
 



©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.