A sheet of square origami paper (6" x 6" / 15 cm x 15 cm)
A flat surface
Steps
Fold
one corner to opposite corner and unfold
Start with the paper colored side up. Make a diagonal crease by folding
one corner to the opposite corner. Unfold.
Repeat
with other corners
Repeat with the two other opposing corners. You should now have two
diagonal creases on the colored side of the paper.
Flip
paper over and crease paper in half
Turn the paper over to the white side. Fold one edge of the paper to
the opposite edge, then unfold.
Fold
other edges over
Repeat with the other two opposing edges, but this time do not unfold.
Bring
four corners together
Position the paper so that its folded edge is along the bottom. There
should be creases on the paper that form a “V.” Hold the
paper with each hand on either side of the “V.” Slowly bring
your hands together, allowing the four corners to meet at the top.
Place
model on table
Place the model flat onto the table in a diamond shape, making sure
there are two flaps to the right and two flaps to the left of the vertical
crease running down the center. This is a Preliminary Base.
Rotate
paper with closed point at top
Rotate the paper so that the closed point is at the top.
Fold
bottom right and left edges to center
Fold the bottom right and bottom left edges of the uppermost flap to
meet on the center vertical line.
Fold
closed point down and unfold
Fold the closed point over the two flaps as far as it will go. Unfold.
Unfold
two flaps
Unfold the two flaps back to the Preliminary Base.
Lift
top layer and bring sides in to flatten
Carefully lift up the top layer of paper as far as it will go. Bring
the sides in, toward the middle, using only existing creases in order
to flatten the flap. Note that no new creases are made during this step.
You should now have created a long diamond shape.
Flip
over and repeat
Turn over and repeat Steps 8-11. You’ve made a Bird Base—now
you can really start to spread your wings.