4 You are now ready to learn how valley folds and mountain folds are used together.
BASIC TECHNIQUES
In this section, you will learn valuable and exciting origami techniques. You will find out how to combine valley folds with each other and with mountain folds. Various combinations of these folds create interesting and well-known forms that are an integral part of origami designs.
Learning each of the basic techniques that follow will be easy and will fit right into your coffee breaks. You only need to do these exercises as you need them! At the beginning of the instructions for each model, you will find a listing of the basic techniques required. The techniques in this section are listed in the order that they appear in the book. If you want to stay “one up” on what is needed, then periodically complete an additional basic technique exercise before you go on to the next model and you will be well-prepared. For each exercise, you can use a square of any type of paper that you have available.
Diamond Base
A “base” is a form that is produced by a particular sequence of folds. In origami instructions, a base sometimes serves as the starting point for making a model. This first base that you will make has a plain but useful shape and is most often used as a base for simple designs.
1 Start with the white side of the paper facing you. Fold the bottom corner to the top corner.
2 Open the fold that you made in the last step.
3 Fold the bottom right edge to the crease. Fold the top right edge to the crease.
4 Fold the bottom left edge to the crease. Fold the top left edge to the crease.
5 Rotate the model so that it is in the position illustrated in the next step.
6 You have made your first base—the Diamond Base.
Reverse Fold
Making a reverse fold is a common technique used in origami. In this exercise, you will fold examples of the two types of reverse folds—an inside reverse fold and an outside reverse fold.
1 Start with the white side of the paper facing you. Make a valley fold by folding the bottom corner to the top corner.
2 Prepare for the inside reverse fold that you will make by folding the right corner upward. Beginners should make this fold sharply.
3 Open the fold that you just created. (It may be helpful for beginners to also make a mountain crease on this valley crease so that the reverse fold will be easier to make.)
4 Make an inside reverse fold by following the procedure taught by steps 5 and 6. The result is shown in step 7.
5 Spread the layers of the model apart. Begin to push the flap inside the model.
6 Continue pushing the flap inside the model. Press the sides of the flap together as you close and flatten the model.
7 The illustration shows the inside reverse fold that you just made. For some inside reverse folds, the reversed corner will be hidden inside the model. Turn your model upside down by rotating it to the position shown in the next step.
8 Prepare for the outside reverse fold by folding the right corner upward. Beginners should make this fold sharply.
9 Open the fold that you just created. (It may be helpful for beginners to also make a mountain crease on this valley crease.)
10 Turn the indicated portion of the flap inside out, wrapping the layers around the model. Take care not to tear the paper. (The model will partially open during this process.)
11 The illustration shows the procedure in progress. Close and flatten the model after you are done.
12 The illustration shows the outside reverse fold that you just made.
Squash Fold
The term “squash fold” is descriptive of this next type of fold.
1 Start with the white side of the paper facing you. Fold the top edge to the bottom edge.
2 Fold the double edge on the right side of the model to the left. Unfold.
3 Using the crease made in the last step, fold the right portion of the model so that it stands up.
4 Insert a finger into the pocket to spread it open as you push down from above, flattening the flap in a symmetrical fashion.
5 The completed squash fold.
Rabbit Ear Fold
Making a rabbit ear fold is one way of creating a new flap.
