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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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Fold Types
Valley fold

The valley fold is one of the simplest folds in origami. Just fold the paper to make a straight crease, with the ends of the paper pointing towards you and the crease pointing away from you.

In origami books, valley folds are usually indicated by dashed lines, where the line segments are equal lengths.

Mountain fold

You can think of the mountain fold as a reverse valley fold: the crease should be pointing towards you with the ends of the paper pointing away from you.

In origami books, mountain folds are usually indicated by dashed lines, where the line segments have alternating short and long lengths.

Inside Reverse Fold

An inside reverse fold can be performed on a piece of paper that has been valley or mountain folded. The goal of this fold is to symmetrically fold the paper away from


Outside Reverse Fold


Squash Fold


Rabbit's Ear

A rabbit's ear may look difficult at first glance, but it really is quite simple. Essentially, you start out with an isosceles triangle, which has two sides of equal length and two angles of equal measure. You bisect the two equivalent angles by valley folding one similar side of the triangle to meet the base of the triangle, and repeat with the other similar side. Where these two creases meet is the center of the triangle. Do both valley folds at the same time and a small triangular flap appears that is perpendicular to the surface of the paper. Fold this flap to one side or the other to make the paper flat again, and you have your rabbit's ear.




Sink

Sinks are one of the trickiest folds in origami, especially when you start dealing with triangular sink folds. Sink folds are used for inverting a point (usually one end of a preliminary base) - essentially popping in what once popped out.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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Paper Shapes

Although the square is by far the most commonly used paper shape in origami, many models also exist that use unconvential paper shapes such as pentagons or hexagons. Unfortunately, many of these unconventional paper shapes are not available for purchase anywhere. However, it is easy to convert a square to another regular polygon using a few simple folds and a pair of scissors.

Square

You can buy paper that has been pre-cut into squares online or at a craft supplies store. If you don't have those resources, you can easily convert a rectangle into a square in the following way:

Rectangle -> Square


3x4 Rectangle

The 3x4 rectangle is a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 1:1.33, and has several applications in modular origami.

Square -> 3x4 Rectangle


Silver Rectangle

The silver or A4 rectangle is a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 1:1.414 (exact ratio 1:√2), and has several applications in modular origami.

Square -> Silver Rectangle


2x3 Rectangle

The 2x3 rectangle is a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 1:1.5, and has several applications in modular origami.

Square -> 2x3 Rectangle


Bronze Rectangle

The bronze rectangle is a rectangle with an aspect ratio of 1:1.732 (exact ratio 1:√3), and has several applications in modular origami.

Square -> Bronze Rectangle


Pentagon

Regular pentagons have some applications in floral origami and can be made from a square in the following way:

Square -> Pentagon


Hexagon

Regular hexagons have some applications in floral origami and can be made from a square in the following way:

Square -> Hexagon


Octagon

Regular octagons have some applications in floral origami and can be made from a square in the following way:

Square -> Octagon


Decagon, Dodecagon, Hexadecagon, and beyond...

You can use a regular polygon with n sides to create a regular polygon with 2n sides in the same manner we used a square (4 sides) to create an octagon (8 sides) above. Form the appropriate preliminary base for your shape, squash-fold each of the n flaps, then cut off the excess paper using the edge of one of your squash folds as a guide.

Polygon with n sides -> Polygon with 2n sides
--- Pentagon (5) -> Decagon (10)
--- Hexagon (6) -> Dodecagon (12)
--- Octagon (8 ) -> Hexadecagon (16)