Origami is an art that originated in China in 105 AD, or perhaps even earlier. This craft requires the artist to fold paper into creative designs, including animals, shapes, and flowers, among other things. While origami may seem like a difficult craft to master, many find it relatively simple as well as relaxing and enjoyable. For the creative individual, this hobby is not only fun, but a great way to produce impressive decorations and gifts.
How to make origami in seven steps:
1. Choose your Paper. There are many different types of paper that origami artists can use. However, beginners may want to start with pre-cut paper made specifically for origami, as this will ensure they are the perfect size. Artists can also choose the thickness and color of their paper. A beginning origami maker should choose thin paper in a variety of their favorite colors. Thinner paper is more forgiving of errors, as it won’t wrinkle as deeply and folds much more easily than thicker paper. Selecting colored paper will also add additional flair to your origami creations, rather than the monotony of black and white.
2. Choose an instructional book or tutorial. It’s important to choose an instruction book, video, or tutorial that is easy to understand and offers helpful illustrations. Learning how to make origami simply by reading about it is usually not enough. It is much easier to learn with visual instructions than by reading alone. Also, it is not always necessary to buy a book. There are a lot of instructional videos and illustrations that are freely available on the internet.
3. Practice and master the basics. Beginners should make sure to start by creating very basic designs. Origami is an art that must be mastered gradually or it will seem overwhelming. Choose very simple designs, such as the origami box, origami parrot, origami plane, and origami throwing star, that have 11 folds or fewer. These layouts will help beginners get a feel for the correct ways to fold paper and help them master the basics. It is important for beginners to practice these simple designs several times, until they feel comfortable enough to move on to more difficult designs.
4. Go to advanced layouts. Once an artist is ready, it’s time to choose some more difficult designs. Select designs, such as the crane, frog, lily, and lotus, that have fewer than 18 folds. Keep in mind that it’s okay to struggle with a few layouts at first. Continuing to practice and work your way through any difficulties is the only way to master the art of origami. With a little practice, most origami artists will find themselves improving and mastering the craft very quickly.
5. Practice with fabrics. Once an origami maker is very comfortable with a variety of designs, he may want to practice his skills on fabric. Learning to fold a cloth napkin into an animal or flower shape is a great way to improve skills. It’s also a great way to show off one’s skills to family and friends, while creating beautiful venues for dinner parties and other occasions.
6. Share the hobby with friends and family. Origami is a fun and creative hobby that most people will enjoy. Sharing the skill with family and friends is a great way to create a mutual hobby. Additionally, many origami artists will find that teaching others the art of origami will help them strengthen their own skills.
7. Create unique designs. Once a beginner has moved on to intermediate or even advanced designs, they should take the time to create their own designs. Artists can do this by altering an already made design or creating their own. This allows artists to flex their creative muscles while creating designs that cater to their specific tastes.
Creating origami is a fun activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. This skill can help artists create personalized gifts, design stunning home decorations, or just keep their hands busy. While origami may seem intricate and difficult to learn, almost anyone can master the craft with a little patience, practice, and time.