BOOK

ONE
Origami Flowers
Book One

Michael G. LaFosse

TUTTLE pubtishing
Tokyo I Rutland, Vermont I Singupor.
 Published in the United States in 2004 by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

www.tuttlepublish ing.com

Copyright O 2004 by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or

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LCC card No.2005272572

rsBN 978-0-8048-3535-0

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First edition
t5t4 t3t2 il t2 il1098 I t07EP
Printed in Hong Kong

Diagrams by Michael G. LaFosse

Photographs by Richard L. Alexander
Cover illustrations by Masturah Jeffrey
Design by Jill Feron

ll I l'UBLlSHlNG"" is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltrl

I
 Origami Symbols Key
tr tr
tr tr
l. Use a single square of paper 4. The finished Preliminary Posy 7. Ihe finished Preliminary Posy
Valley Fold
for the blossom and one square blossom. calyx.
a quarter of that size, in green
paper, for the calyx.
Prelim i nary
For the Blossom For the Calyx
Posy

Crease Line

trtr
Cut into four pieces
ft Fold in front 2. Valley-fold larger paper in hall
edge to edge, both ways, on the
5. Valley-fold smaller paper rn
half edge to edge, both ways, on
8. lnsert the bottom of
blossom into the calyx.
the

use one or more, depending white side. Valley-fold in half the white side. Valley-fold in half Use glue if you wish. Designed by many
upon project needs corner to corner, both ways, on corner to corner, both ways, on
modern folders.
the color side. the green side.

\
Repeat behind Twist or curl
Fold and unfold

J. l\,lountain- and valley-fold to 6. Mountain- and valley-fold to 9. The finished Preliminary Posy.
bring all corners together. bring all corners together. Ihis looks nice combined with
Leaf Two.
 l. Valley-fold in half edge to 4. Repeat with the other three 7. The finished tresh [ut Daisy.
l. Use paper colored on both 4. Ihe crease pattern will look 7. Ihe finished Alexanders Iulr;r
like Ihis flower looks good combinerl edge, both ways, on the white c0rn e rs.

A lexa t lr{r r'' s

sides. Begin white side up if
using origami paper. Iold up the
this.
with Leaf 0ne. side. Valley-fold in half corner [:: t'*:; it f. rit
bottom right corner to touch to
to corner, both ways, on the
side.
I-rrli1;
top edge. Look ahead at step two.
colored A
Da ist'

2. Notice that the top right 5. l'lountain and valley-fold each 2. l'lountain- and valley-fold to 5. [ut out the shape outlined

of the pleated quarters to make bring all corners together. in dashes.

corner has an equal amount of
edge showing. Unfold. a cupped form. Trad itional
Designed by
fold and cut techniques
Richard L. Alexander

l. told the right corner to touch 6. Iold over the inner corners to J. Lift corner E up and center 6. 0pen the paper and turn
the left edge. Align the first lock the form. it. tlatten E down, letting the over, colored side up.

crease upon itself. Unfold. Repeat

two layers of paper move to the
with the remaining two edges.
outside left and right.
 l-- -^----.

l. Usea single square of paper for the 4. fold in the left and right cornen, slightly 6. Valley-fold smaller paper in half edge to 9. lnsert the bottom of the blossom into the

blossom and one square a quarter of that above the center. Repeat behind. edge, both ways, on the white side. Valley- calyx. Use glue if you wish.
size, in green paper, for the calyx. fold in half corner to corner, both ways, on
the green side.
For the Blossom
Lantern Blossom A
Lantern Blossom

2. Valley-fold larger paper in half edge to 5. fold over the right side of the top layer 7. l,lountain- and valley-fold to bring all 10. Ihe completed Lantern Blossom.
edge, both ways, on the white side. Valley- Repeat behind. corners together.
fold in half corner to corner, both ways, on
the colored side.

lndependently created by many modern

folders.

J. Mountain- and valley-fold to bring all 8. The linished Lantern Blossom calyx.

corners together.

L
10

II
II View from
the other
side.

l. 0n the white side, valley-fold 4. Unfold. 7. flatten all corners to the L full size paper or quarter
Use 7. Slip the bottom left corner of Multi-Piece
in half all corners and edges. center of the paper. size. Youwill need eight pieces one petal unit into the triangle
of paper for this project. pocket of another. Turn over
and be sure that the bonom left
Pinwheel
corner is inserted into the right-
Sq, are Bud side unit. Flower

//CN //CN
2. One at a time, valley-fold and 5. The creases will look like this. 8. fold out the corners from 2. Begin color side up. fold in 5. fold up the bottom corner to
unfold each edge of the square
to the center. Turn over.
Turn over. the center. half, corner to corner. Unfold. the top corner. ,Os Designed by
Designed by 8. 0n the original side, fold the
Michael C. LaFosse
many modern folders. top of the triangle of the left
piece behind the triangle corner
of the right piece. Continue
asembly and turn over.

l. fold each corner to the 6. fold in all edges tothe : 9. The completed Square Bud. l. fold bottom edges to the 6. Ihe finished Multi-Piece
center. center while folding in half all of : crease. Pinwheel Hower petal. You will
the corners. :
need eight for one flower. 9. The llnished l'lulti-Piece
Pinwheel flower.

\
12
\l/
\./
rl,,
./\r---
/ll
/lr
/;\
l. Valley-fold in half corner to corner and 4. 0pen. 7. told each corner over to make a pinwheel : 10. A finished two-piece Pinwheel flower.
edge to edge both ways. shape.

Pinwheel Flower Pinwheel Flower

/,CN /CN
2. fold and unfold each edge of the square 5. The crease pattern will look like this. 8. fold over each corner to align with an
to the center. Iurn over. Turn over. edge of the pinwheel.

Designed by
Michael G. LaFosse

l. fold all four corners to the center. 6. told in the middle of the edges to the 9. The finished Pinwheel flower. l'lake
center while folding each corner in half. another, smaller Pinwheel flower, and paste
it into the center.
14

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l. told in half, corner to corner. 4. The finished Simple Tulip blossom. l. fold in half, bottom corner 4. Turn over, left to right. 7. Ihe finished Plant Base 0ne.
to top. lnsert the Simple Tulip into
the top corner for a beautiful
combination. This plant will stand
Plant Base
on a table.
One

Created by many
2. told triangle in half, c0rner to corner. 5. Slip the bottom of the tulip into the top 2. Iold in half, corner to corner, 5. told in the bottom edge to modern folders.
U nfold. of Plant Base One. and unfold. the center crease; allow the
corners come from the back to
the front.

Designed by many modern folders.

Combi nation designed by
Michael C. LaFosse.

,-c-:
3. told up the bottom corners. Look at step 6. Ihe finished Simple Tulip. 3. fold up the bottom left and 6. fold up the bottom corner.

four for the shape. right corners to the top corner. Turn over.
16
l. 0n the white side of the paper, make
mountain folds, corner to c0rner, and valley
folds, edge to edge. Valley-fold and unfold
the four corners to the center.
I
2. l'lountain-fold the and D corners,
bringing B, C and D up to A.
Trad itional Japanese design
J. Lift corner E, open the layers and flatten
it. Look ahead at step 4.
4. Repeat behind, and then with the two 7. Fold the top layer of the right side over , l0.0pen petals out.
inside corners, turning the layers to reveal to the left. Repeat behind.
them.
5. l'love the middle edge towards the bottom, 8. Iold the bottom left and the bottom right I l. Curl the petals. The finished Lily.
while folding in the top edges. Repeat edges to the crease. Repeat behind and with
behind, and then with the two inside layen. the middle layers.
Look ahead to step 6 for the shape.
6. told the corner up. Repeat with the other 9. fold down the front and back petals.
three. Repeat with the other two.
 19

l. fold up the bottom corner to lay next to 4. Turn over.

l. Iold in half, corner to corner, :4. Iold corners t0 the (enter. 7. Iold out rorners.
the top corner.
both ways to make crossing
Unfold.
!

Creares. :

Lotus

2. Your paper will look like this. 5. Iold up the bottom corner. Turn over.
2. Iold all corners to meet at 5. fold out each rorner beyond 8. Iold out corners.
Created by many
the center. the edges of the square.
modern folders.

Designed by
Michael G, LaFosse

3. Iold up the left and right bottom corners 6. The finished Water Lily. Ihis lily will stand l, lold corners to the (enter 6. Iu 9. The finished lotus.
up 0n a table top. Combine it with the l-ily Iurn over. (ombine with the Lily Pad.
Pad project for a complete display.
 21

I
x

rI /c"\
l. Iold in half, edge to edge, 4. told up the left and right 7. The finished lily Pad. Use l. [ut paper into quarters, 4. told in the top right edge to 7. Slip the bottom left corner of
both ways to make crossing c0rners. this leaf with the Lotus, [ily, approximately three inches the center crease. one petal unit into the triangle
or
creases. lJn[old. tquare. You will need eight corner of another. Turn over.
Water Lily.
pieces of paper for one flower.

tfl{y Dazzle

: ,-O\

2. Iold opposite corners to the 5. Mountain-fold left and right L lold in half, corner to rorner 5. Iold up the bottom corner, i L lllountain-fold the left corner
(enter. corners under. Unlold. making sure that the crease hits ' of the top piece behind the right Designed by
Created independently by the corner on the right. flap of paper of the bottom
many modern folders. i piece. Mountain-fold the loose Michael C. LaFosse
: corner behind. Iurn over and
i continue to add more petal units.

,-O\
i. Iold in half, bottom to top. 6. llountain-fold corners behind. l, fold in the bottom right edge 6. The finished petal. You will
io the crease. Iurn over, left need eight to make one flower. 9. The finished Dazzle.
lo ri8ht.

*:
 23

L Cut a piece of square paper in half or 4. fold up the folded edge to the lirst 7, told in ea(h (orner to the center crease. 0 Turn ov other strps.
in.equal thirds to make several rectangular crease. lJnfold the entire strip of paper. llnfold.
strips.

,-O\
shon
2. tirst, fold in half, shon edge to : 5. told in the outermost (reases t0 meet at l, Purh in each corner. Iurn over. ll. Connect segments by slipping the short
edge and unfold. liext, fold up the bortom ,
the center crease line. end of one pixe into the long end of
edge to the center crease. lJnfold. : another. Arrange with leaf One to complete
the project.

Designed by
Michael G. LaFosse

,-O\
3. Iold up, placing bottom crease on the 6. Your paper will look like this. Turn over. l, lold outside edges in.
center (rease.
 25

l. fold in half, corner to corner. Unfold. 4. told in hft and right top edges. lold in half, corner to corner. 4. Cut off the top cornen. 0pen. 7. Yalley-lold the right edge of

Leaf One- the top layer and mountainJold

the left edge of the top layer.
Repeat behind, and fold in the
Hexagon
Bamboo nvo middle edges in the same
fuhion. Blossoms

2. told in bottom edges to the (enter 5. Turn over.

(rease- ild in hdf, corner t0 corner, 5. YalleyJold across all corners 8. 0pen
Created independently by unfold. and mountainJold across the
many modern folders. middh of all edges.
Traditional fqld and cut
technilues.

3. told in left 6. Ihe finished Leaf 0ne-Bamboo. M the right and left comers 6. Cut the shape outlined in 9. The finished Hexagon Elosoms.
cach other in equal dashes. Experiment with other
shapes of cut for more blossom
designs.
25
27

l. 0n the white side, valley-fold in half all : 4. Unfold.

corners and edges.
7, flatten all corners t0 the center of the 10. The finished Button Bud.
PaPer.

Button Bud Button Bud

/-O-\ ,-C\
2. One at a time, valley-fold and unfold each 5. Ihe creases will look like this. Iurn over.
edge of the square to the renter. Turn over.
t. lold under each corner, making an
0ctrgon.

Designed by
Christine Clement

3. fold each (orner to the (enter. 6. told in al edges to the center wh e l, (url out each of the cornen lrom the
foding n ha f all of the corners.
Ont!r,
 l. Use full sized origami pa t 4. first, fold the boftom comer to the in the left and dght edges to the 10. Apply a small amount of glue on one
size. You will need live oier crossing creases, iust above.
fold up the tucking the (orners behind the white side of the outside 0f the white paper
blosom. Glue is requirei Io bottom edge. pocker Add a petal and continue.

z--O\
2. Begin with the colored side up. told and , 5. Iurn over. ll. Ihe linished Cherry Blosom.
unfold in half, corner to corner, both ways. i

Designed by Michael G. LaFosse

3. fold up the bottom comer to the centeq 6. fold up the left and riqht the petal by folding in half while
sides to the
and unfold. llounain-fold the top comer to edges of the riangle flap.- up the white paper edge. Yalley-told ;
the center of the back. at the top of the peal (optional). !
 )1

L Begin color side up if using origami 4. told up the right edge, matching the top 7, told up the left corner. l'lake sure that r 10. lnsert the bottom corner of one leaf
paper. [old in half, bottom edge t0 rop edge. Un{old. the crease runs from the square torner ol : into the pocket o{ another. Continue with
edge. the triangle flap up to the notch on the left. : the remaining pieres to form a wreath.
ileaf neat&r fl-eaf $'effi flh

2. [old down the right side of the first 5. told up the right side, matrhing the 0. told up the bottom corner
layer, matching h t0 the bottom edge. crease to the toP edge.

Designed by
Michael C. LaFosse

Use full size paper

or quarter size.
You will need ten pieces
of paper for this project.

3. Iurn over, top to bottom. 6. Iurn over, top to bottom. 9, Turn over t0 see the front side. You need
Itn units lor one wreath.
 l. fold in hal[, bottom corner 4. Turn over, left to right. 7. Iold the right and left sides
to toP. in, covering some of the center
Plant Base shape.

2. Iold in half, corner to corner, 5. Iold in the bottom edge to 8. The linished Plant Base lwo.
and unfold. the renter crease; allow the lnsert the 5imph Iulip into
Designed by corners to come from the back the top corner for a beautiful
many modern folders. to the front. combination.

3. told up the bottom left and 6. Turn over.

right corners to the top corner.