How to Fold a Easy Paper Crane

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The origami crane is perfect as a gift, as a decoration, or as the first step to making a senbazuru. The cranes are delicate, but surprisingly easy and fun to fold, so don't hesitate to give this craft a try. If you want to know how to do it, just follow these steps.

Steps

1. 1

   Get a blank square sheet of paper. If you're working with square origami paper, that's great. Fold it so the color is facing out. If you have an ordinary piece of printer paper, just fold one of the top corners across the paper until it aligns with the bottom edge of the sheet, leaving a long strip of rectangular paper. Cut the strip to make the paper square.

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   Fold the top of the paper down until the top edge aligns with bottom edge of the paper and then crease. Unfold the paper.

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   Fold it in half the other way.

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   Fold vertically from right to left.

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   Crease, then unfold. You should end up with a cross crease.

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   Fold the top right corner down to the bottom left corner.

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   Crease, then unfold.

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   Fold the top left corner down to the bottom right corner.

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    Crease, then unfold. You should end up with an asterisk-like crease.

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    Turn the square so one corner is pointing up and bring the lower right side of the top flap to the middle line. Crease. Repeat on the lower left side. You'll have a top that resembles a kite.

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    Bring the right corner of the top flap to the middle crease. This will make it so that the lower right edge lines up with the crease.

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    Fold down the top corner to make the crease lie along the horizontal line created by the previous step.

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    Unfold the last three folds. After you do this, you'll return to having a square with an opening that faces down.

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    Fold the bottom corner of the square up along the horizontal crease from the previous steps up to the top corner.

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    Reverse the two creases on the upper flap by folding it in the opposite direction that it naturally folds.

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    Bring the outer edges of the paper to the middle and flatten it. This will create a diamond shape with two flaps sticking out on the right and left sides.

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    Turn the paper over and repeat steps 15-17 on this side.

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    Fold the outer edges of the diamond to the middle crease.

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    Fold the right flap over to the left. Do this as you would turn the page of a book.

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    Turn over the shape. Repeat on this side. Then fold the right flap over to the left again.

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    Fold the bottom tip of the top flap up to the top corner. Turn over and repeat on the other side.

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    Fold the right flap over to the left. Again, do this as you would turn the page of a book.

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    Turn over and repeat on the back. Now the head and tail are nestled in between what will become the wings.

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    Fold the wings down so that they are perpendicular to the body, head, and tail.

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    Fold the tip of the head down.

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    Pull the head and tail out so that they line up with the outer edges of the body.

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    Create 3D volume. If you want a three dimensional body, grasp the opposite corners on the bottom of the body and gently pull the shape to create the desired volume. Or you can blow in the hole at the bottom of the crane.

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    Enjoy your paper crane. You can give away the crane, hang it up, or use it as a decoration.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Is it harder to make a paper crane with writing paper?

  

  Yes, normal writing paper is much harder to use than origami paper because the origami paper is lighter yet stronger, which makes it easier to fold and shape. Writing paper is flimsier and liable to tear.

• Question

  What is the meaning of the paper crane?

  

  Traditionally, it was believed that if one folded 1000 origami cranes, one's wish would come true. It has also become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times. As a result, it has become popular to fold 1000 cranes (in Japanese, called "senbazuru").

• Question

  What is the usual size for origami paper?

  

  It usually is 6 or 7 inches. You can find big books of origami paper in craft stores. Origami paper is perfectly square.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

• If you are planning on taking your crane somewhere, save the last step until after the trip in your backpack, pocket, purse, etc. Flat cranes pack better, and you don't have to worry about them getting crushed.

• Cranes make wonderful gifts.

• You can use a reflective paper to make it look cooler.

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Things You'll Need

• A square sheet of paper
• A flat surface
• A ruler or bone folder to crease the folds (optional)

About This Article

Article Summary X

To fold an origami paper crane, start by folding a square piece of paper in half vertically, horizontally, and diagonally, unfolding after each fold. Then, fold the top corners to the bottom and press the sides in so the paper is folded up in a small diamond Next, grab the upper layer of the right side and fold the bottom edge to the center crease. Repeat this on the left side. Fold the top of the diamond down so the crease lies along the horizontal line created by the previous two triangles. Then, unfold the top corner and the previous two triangles to return to the small diamond shape you created. From there, fold the topmost layer of the bottom point all the way up so that the left and right flaps naturally fold in, creating a long, narrow diamond shape. Carefully, crease and flatten the paper.Flip the paper over, and repeat the process to create another long, skinny diamond. At this point, your paper should look like one tall, skinny diamond with two legs at the bottom. Next, grab the point on the upper layer of the right side and fold the bottom outside edge inwards towards the central line. Repeat on the left side. Fold the entire right flap over the central line, as if you were turning the page of a book. At this point, both flaps should be on the left-hand side. Turn the shaper over and repeat the process. Next, grab the upper layer of the bottom point and fold it up so the bottom tip touches the top points. Fold the right flap over to the left. Repeat on the other side. Then, fold wings down so you can just see the body. Finally, fold the tip of the head down and pull the wings out gently. If you want to learn more, like how to make your crane look larger and three-dimensional, keep reading the article!

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