How to Make a Butterfly Origami

Co-authored by Robert Homayoon

Last Updated: November 10, 2023

VIDEO

Origami, the Japanese art of paper-folding, dates back centuries. Origami creations range from simple and delightful to complex and astounding. Origami butterflies are an easy beginner project, making them a perfect children's activity. All you need is a piece of square paper, and with a few folds, you'll have an ethereal paper creature! Give your butterfly as a present, attach one to gift wrapping, or simply use it to brighten up a room.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Making the Origami Boat Base

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1
Start with a square piece of paper. If you are using origami paper, there is one side that is shiny and/or decorated – this is the right side. Lay the paper right-side down.
- A 6 x 6 inch (15 x 15 cm) square is a good size for beginners. If you want to create larger or smaller butterflies, adjust your paper size accordingly.
2
Make a horizontal valley crease. Match the paper's lower edge to the upper edge and smooth the crease with your fingers, starting from the center and working your way out. Unfold the paper so the crease remains.
- In the valley fold, you fold the paper over the crease, so that the sides of the paper that were facing up are now folded in on each other. The resulting crease is "under" the folded sides, hence the name "valley."
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3
Make a vertical valley crease through the center. Match the right edge to the left edge and crease with your fingers, then unfold.
- Steps 2 and 3 are combined in this video.
- Now you should have two valley creases: one running horizontally and one vertically through the center.
Turn the paper counterclockwise so that what was the lower left corner now points downwards towards you.
Carefully bring the lower corner to the upper corner, crease, and unfold.
6
Make a vertical valley fold. Bring the right corner over to the left corner, crease, and unfold.
- Steps 5 and 6 are shown in the video.
7
Rotate the paper 45 degrees. Turn the paper clockwise or counterclockwise so that an edge (rather than a corner) is facing you.
- There should be four valley creases though the center: a vertical, a horizontal, and two diagonal.
8
Fold the left and right sides to meet the central vertical crease. Align the right edge of the paper with the middle vertical crease and make a fold. Repeat with the left side.
- Do not unfold these creases.
- This is called a "gate fold."
Insert your thumb and middle finger under the folded corners, holding the bottom half of the paper securely in place with your other hand.
10
Fold the top edge down into a "roof" shape. Align the upper edge with the horizontal crease in the middle of the model. At the same time, open the flaps that you pinched in the previous step, pulling them apart and down until the top of the model meets the center crease.
- Now the upper half of the model should look like a roof on a house.
Now the "roof" is upside-down, facing you.
When you finish, you'll have what's called an origami "boat base," a starting point for many different creations.^{[1]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Making the Wings

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The folded edges you made in the last step should now be face-down. The corners of the "boat" should be pointing to the sides, with the two long edges extending horizontally along the top and bottom of the model.
Join the upper edge to the lower edge and smooth the valley fold with your fingers.
3
Valley-fold the top right flap down. Holding the trapezoid-shaped model so the long edge is at the top (as at the end of Step 2), lift the top right corner and bring it downwards toward the model's vertical axis. Crease the fold with your fingers.
- The flap's corner should now be pointing downwards towards you.
- Note that the right corner has multiple layers: you are folding down only the top one.
When you finish, both corners will be pointing down towards you.
5
Make a small valley fold in the left flap. Examine the left flap you've just folded down, noticing the mountain fold (upward-facing fold) running diagonally from the central vertical axis and ending in a side corner. Lift the side corner slightly, moving it inwards and upwards toward the center (but not all the way). Smooth the fold with your fingers.
- The fold should extend all the way from the upper edge of the model to about halfway between the corner you're lifting and the flap's lower point.
6
Repeat Step 6 for the right flap. Because there are no guiding creases for these folds, take care to make the left and right folds even.
- The video shows Steps 6 and 7.
The folds you've just made should now be face-down to the working surface, with the flaps still pointing downwards towards you.
Bring the left corner over to the right and reinforce the crease with your fingers.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Shaping the Body

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Lift the upper "wing" (which is currently extending straight out to the right) and bring it backwards (to the left), creating a fold that starts about 1/2 inch (1 cm) from the left corner of the upper edge and extends diagonally to the lower left corner of the upper flap. Crease with your fingers and then unfold.
Now the wing tips should be pointing left, and the crease you've just made is face-down on the working surface.
This time, bring it up and back towards the right. Create a fold that starts 1/2 inch (1 cm) from the right corner of the upper edge and extends down and right to the lower right corner of the upper flap. Crease and unfold.
Orient the model so that the central vertical fold is "mountain," or upwards-facing.^{[2]
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5
Pinch along the folds you made in Steps 1-3. This is the body of the butterfly.
- Push the wings back along the creases to reinforce the folds.
Try making more in different colors and sizes.

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Question

How small or big does the paper have to be?

Community Answer

You can use any size paper. It depends on how big or small you want the butterfly.

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Question

Is it easy to make a paper butterfly?

Community Answer

This paper butterfly is suitable for intermediate origami skill levels.

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Question

Can I use cardboard?

R8118

Community Answer

No. Cardboard is too thick to fold. Use something like origami paper, a post-it, or cut a square out of A4 paper. Make sure it is thin and easy to work with.

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