Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, has captivated people worldwide with its intricate patterns and striking results. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, learning and mastering common origami folds is key to unlocking a world of paper crafting possibilities. Let's delve into the world of origami and explore some of the most fundamental and impressive folds that every origami enthusiast should know.
Foundational Folds
Before we dive into complex models, it's crucial to understand and master the basic folds that form the foundation of origami. These foundational folds are the building blocks upon which most origami structures are built.
Let's examine two fundamental folds that every origami artist should master: the valley and mountain folds.
Valley Fold
The valley fold, also known as a line fold, is one of the most basic folds in origami. It involves folding the paper inwards, creating a crease that resembles the outline of a mountain. To perform a valley fold, simply bring the edges of the paper towards each other, rubbing the crease with your fingers to ensure it's well-defined.
One example of a model utilizing valley folds is the classic origami crane. The body of the crane is created by folding multiple layered cranes, each folded using valley folds to form the shape.
Mountain Fold
The mountain fold, or reverse fold, is the polar opposite of the valley fold. Instead of folding the paper inwards, you fold it outwards, creating an indentation in the paper that resembles the outline of a valley. To perform a mountain fold, simply pull the edges of the paper apart, creating a pronounced crease.
A commonly used mountain fold can be found in the origami frog base. Folding the sides of the square inwards, creating a mountain fold, sets the stage for shaping the legs and body of the frog.
Intermediate Folds
Once you're comfortable with the foundational folds, it's time to explore more advanced techniques. These intermediate folds build upon the valley and mountain folds, allowing for the creation of more intricate origami models.
Let's explore two essential intermediate folds: the pleat and the squash fold.
Pleat
A pleat is an origami fold that involves folding a strip of paper into several concertina-style ridges. To create a pleat, accordion-fold the strip of paper by alternately folding it inwards and outwards, creating evenly spaced creases.
Pleats are frequently used in models like the origami lotus flower. The petals of the flower are typically created by improperly folding several pleats together, then pleating them again to form the delicate flower shape.
Squash Fold
The squash fold is a fascinating technique that involves collapsing a flat shape into a 3D form. To perform a squash fold, first fold the paper into the desired flat shape. Then, by pushing or pulling the edges of the paper, you collapse the surface into a solid, three-dimensional form.
An excellent example of a model utilizing squash folds is the origami box. By following the standard base folds, you create a flat square. Then, by squashing the corners inwards, you form the 3D box shape.
The world of origami is vast and full of intricate folds waiting to be discovered. By mastering these common origami folds and continuously exploring new techniques, you'll unlock a realm of possibilities, allowing you to create stunning paper art that you can be proud to display. So, grab your paper and start folding – the origami world is waiting for you!