Welcome to Origami

Origami Techniques And Terms

Origami is the ancient art of paper folding. Just as with any other craft or hobby, Origami has its own set of terminology. We will take a look at some of the common origami terms below.

The Book Fold

The book fold is when you fold a piece of paper to resemble a book. That is, you fold it down the middle and make sure the edges line up with each other. Always remember that when you make a fold in origami ensure that it is clean and crisp. Some origami projects require that you make another book fold within your first book fold. To do this, open your book and then fold the paper in half again making sure the edges are aligned.

The Handkerchief Fold

To make this fold you first start out with a basic book fold. Then do not open the book and fold the paper in the middle once again. This gives you four layers of paper atop one another.

The Cupboard Fold

Begin with a square sheet of paper and make the basic book fold. Now open the paper and fold in each outside edge towards the center. This move can be repeated if necessary to make smaller strips.

The Lattice Fold

To make the lattice, start with a piece of square paper and make the cupboard fold. Next, open the cupboard and fold up a second cupboard in the opposite direction. Open this cupboard and you are left with the lattice which has sixteen small squares which can be used to make houses, simple animals and boxes.

The Shawl Fold

Begin with a square sheet of paper and fold it on the diagonal and make sure the edges are lined up on top of each other.

The Envelope Fold

This fold also requires a square sheet of paper. Begin by making diagonal folds in both directions. The open the paper back up and fold each corner into the middle.

The Picture Frame Fold

Start with a square sheet of paper and fold along the diagonal to the opposite corner in both directions. Open up the paper and the fold each corner into the middle. These are the same directions as for the envelope fold. Continue on with the picture frame fold by opening up the envelope and then fold each corner up to the outside diagonal line. Then fold all four corners inward to make the picture frame.

The Heaven and Hell Fold

This is another fold that starts with the envelope fold. Make the envelope fold and then turn the paper over and fold each of the corners into the middle once again. Now turn the paper back over and you'll find pockets which you can open up. This figure was named Heaven and Hell because it was usually made with colored paper that was blue on one side and red on the other. This fold is used for making animal heads and hand puppets.