Create an origami butterfly!

I thought I would try my hand at a paper butterfly today and give you some directions to try it out yourself!

Step 1: Create a waterbomb base. Fold your square of paper in half, then in half the other direction.

oragami butterfly step 1-1

origami butterfly step 1-2Unfold the paper and fold it into a large triangle. oragami butterfly step 1-3

Unfold the paper. Flip it over and fold it into a large triangle the other direction.

oragami butterfly step 1-4

Now, let the folds come in on themselves to create a smaller triangle.

oragami butterfly step 1-5

oragami butterfly step 1-6

Here is the video I used to make this base:

Step 2: Fold the upper layer on both sides down to the bottom tip.

origami butterfly step 2-1

origami butterfly step 2-2

Step 3: Flip the paper over. Fold the bottom tip upward so that it is about a half inch above the horizontal edge. (Quick note: I did this with card stock, which tore when doing these smaller folds. Use paper!)

origami butterfly step 3

Step 4: Fold down the upper layers. Make a squash fold by pressing the paper flat on the side.

origami butterfly step 4

Step 5: Flip paper over. Fold down the tip and then fold it half of it up again to create the butterfly's head.

origami butterfly step 5-1

origami butterfly step 5-2

Step 6: Fold paper in half. On the top half, make a diagonal fold, which makes one wing pop out. Flip the paper over and do another diagonal fold to make the other wing pop out.origami butterfly step 6

Step 7: You're done!

origami butterfly step 7-1

origami butterfly step 7-2

Now, post a comment with a photo of the butterfly you created, and stop in the nature center to see Tagami's beautiful origami butterflies in person.

 

2 Comments

  1. Laura Callahan on November 24, 2019 at 4:57 pm

    I loved this class and have the flight of butterflies hanging over a furnace vent. They fly regularly in my livingroom. Thank you, Barbara



  2. Humble origami lover on August 19, 2019 at 6:38 am

    thank you for this brilliant tutorial! My butterfly came out amazing, all thanks to these great instructions 🙂