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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • •
Time
10 mins

Master the art of paper folding!
I found a tutorial for origami bows but it was is Korean. I thought I would a) give it a go and then b) try and explain the steps in English. I'm a complete origami novice and it took me a few tries to get it right so don't give up!

Posted by thegluegungirl Published See thegluegungirl's 7 projects »
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  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 1
    Step 1

    Grab some origami paper (You can use any paper as long as it's cut into a square) and some scissors and away we go!

    Start with your square of paper, fold in half horizontally and vertically, crease well and unfold.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 2
    Step 2

    Fold diagonally, crease well and unfold.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 3
    Step 3

    Your paper should know look like this with the creases you have made.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 4
    Step 4

    Follow the creased lines and fold like this...

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 5
    Step 5

    It's had to explain but the paper, with the creases will naturally fall into this without much effort.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 6
    Step 6

    On the completely closed edge of your square, fold down the corner by 1/2" creasing well.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 7
    Step 7

    Unfold your paper and you will see the creases have made a small square in the middle.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 8
    Step 8

    This next step I found a bit confusing as there is an order to folding the lines. Once you get that figured out it will become easier.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 9
    Step 9

    This is how the fold lines should look in order for it to fold into itself in the next step. You can see that the 4 corners coming off the center square are folded in "mountain folds" which means that they fold upwards like a mountain peak and the sides are folded in a "valley fold" so they crease inwards.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 10
    Step 10

    By following the step above, it'll allow you to start folding the paper like so...

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 11
    Step 11

    Still with me?

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 12
    Step 12

    Folded like a pro eh! :-/

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 13
    Step 13

    This is how it will look once it's all folded up.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 14
    Step 14

    The next step is to fold the edges off the flat top down like so.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 15
    Step 15

    Flip over and do the same on the other side.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 16
    Step 16

    Gently open up keeping the folds you've just made in place. I know, I know... but trust me, as you do it, it'll make sense!

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 17
    Step 17

    Once opened up, it'll look like this!

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 18
    Step 18

    Turn the paper over and make sure it's placed the same as the photo. (you'll see by the creases) The lines marked in BLACK are where you will make 4 cuts along the crease.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 19
    Step 19

    From the side you can see where to make the cut. This is the part I got wrong so many times as it wasn't clear exactly where I should have been cutting! I hope this demonstrates the correct way well enough!

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 20
    Step 20

    Repeat on all four corners as marked in black in step 18.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 21
    Step 21

    Fold down the large top piece.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 22
    Step 22

    Fold the left and right side sticking up in half.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 23
    Step 23

    Flip the paper over and repeat on the bottom corners.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 24
    Step 24

    This is what it will then look like.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 25
    Step 25

    Turn your paper over and you'll see you've finally got a bow like shape!

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 26
    Step 26

    Tuck the pointed ends into the middle of your bow, where the knot would be if it was a ribbon.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 27
    Step 27

    Turn the bow back over and fold the left and right edges as shown and then made a cut up the middle.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 28
    Step 28

    Fold the sides of middle cuts of the bow over.

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 29
    Step 29

    Turn back over and there you have your finished bow! You can either leave the bow tail as it is or...

  • How to fold an origami shape. Origami Bows - Step 30
    Step 30

    You can cut it to make pointed ends.

    These get easier the more you make I assure you. They look great used as present bows or use to decorate handmade cards!

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Comments

Puspita Sari
Puspita Sari · Palembang City, South Sumatra, ID · 2 projects
unique, so want to also create its own version ^_^
Reply
eliz.lopezz
eliz.lopezz · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 1 project
I thought your instructions were fairly simple, although the center square should be a bit bitter than a hald a centimeter, otherwise, it went smoothly! Thank you.
Reply
buttercup303
buttercup303 · Moodbidri, Karnataka, IN · 94 projects
omg! these are so cute !! thanks for sharing Happy
Reply
Isaura
Isaura · De Haan, Flanders, BE · 36 projects
I love these!! Thanks for sharing this Happy
Reply
Vicky
Vicky · Colchester, England, GB · 55 projects
Very pretty! Would make brill gift wrapping or party decorations!
Reply

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