Origami from A4: simple diagrams with step-by-step photos

What to do without glue and scissors?

There is a wide variety of step-by-step complex and simple schemes that allow even children to create paper products without scissors and glue. Let’s look at some of them separately.

In the beginning there was a rectangle

The square is one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture, along with the triangle and circle. It is connected with the earth, which gives rise to all living things and the material world as a whole. There is a special meaning to the fact that numerous origami shapes are born from a square sheet.

A person who picks up paper becomes a creator, transforming a faceless plane into three-dimensional objects, often functional, one might say, possessing a soul. However, the simplest and, accordingly, ancient models – a boat (aka a hat) or a “sanbo” box – were created precisely from a rectangle.

An explanation for this phenomenon is given by the founder of the British Origami Society, historian David Lister: “At first, the Japanese paid attention to the scraps left over from the primitive papermaking process. To bring the sheets to a uniform size, their edges were equalized.

A square can be used to form the basic “Bird” shape that most traditional origami starts with. This is its main advantage. A square is a simple, symmetrical figure and can be easily standardized. That is why, ultimately, it was chosen by the Japanese paper masters, and the rectangle was almost forgotten.”

Lamp shade

Paper lampshades for lamps continue the theme of designer origami. Despite their simplicity and budget, they look unusual, and therefore managed to gain many fans. At first glance, it seems that this origami from A4 sheet is not for beginners, but for a spectacular result you only need attention and accuracy.

For the lampshade you will need two A4 sheets glued together with the short sides. You can take a larger format, but with the same proportions. Recommended paper weight is 160 g/m². Such indicators, for example, are found in whatman paper with a torchon texture. It is not necessary to make a lampshade only from white paper; thick colored wallpaper, craft paper, and so on will do.

The folded sheet looks like this:

This diagram will allow you to assemble a rounded “squat” lampshade, reminiscent of a barrel in shape:

First you need to make all the folds along the black lines, then along the red ones and finish the work with blue ones. Then the paper folds naturally.

For a tall, narrow lampshade, the diagram lines are placed similarly, but at a different angle:

To prevent the lampshade from becoming deformed during use, it is advisable to sew the upper edge with transparent fishing line. The paper is also coated with several layers of varnish, protecting it from moisture and dust. As a result, we have a stunning art object:

In conclusion, an origami airplane from childhood. Its design is borrowed from a Japanese paper dart that was played about 600 years ago.

Butterfly

In this case, you can take a sheet of almost any color. A simple “water butterfly” blank is folded from it, after which it is turned with the free side and the upper part is bent so that it can extend beyond the boundaries of the bottom.

Then the paper blank is turned over again so that the highlighted end is at the top, and later it is folded down again.
All sharp corners can also be bent or simply trimmed.

Option 1

It is advisable to use paper with differently colored sides, velvet or patterned. Thanks to this, the laconic envelope will look decorative.

Step-by-step instructions:

We start with portrait orientation. Place the sheet with the wrong side up. Fold the left corner to the right edge.
Lower the top point along the arrow, aligning it with the base of the previous fold.
Fold the resulting triangle along the dotted line.
Combine the bottom edge with the top, mark a fold.

The result is a narrow rectangle.
Fold the bottom edge along the dotted line. Turn the workpiece over.
Fold both sides of the envelope towards the middle, slightly overlapping.
We insert one edge into the other, fixing the envelope so that it does not open.

You can adjust the width of the product, focusing on the size of the gift inside.

A simple origami envelope from A4 is ready.

Option 2

It happens that an envelope is needed urgently, and you have to literally fold it on the go. The next model is just for such a case.

Step by step instructions:

Fold the A4 sheet in half horizontally. Let’s reveal. Bend the bottom corners towards the middle. We do the same with the right and left sides.
Raise the bottom point of the triangle to the resulting intersection.
Using the folds made in the previous step as guides, open the workpiece from the inside, stretch it to the sides and press it. Thus, we form the lower part of the origami envelope.
Now bend the upper corners towards the center. We get the closing flap of the envelope.

When passing it to the recipient, you can tuck the upper triangle inside or secure it with some kind of decorative seal.

Another envelope, very reminiscent of the previous Japanese origata packaging, is presented in the video tutorial:

Dove

To make this craft, you need to take white paper. It’s easier to immediately select and print a ready-made template. It is cut out from a paper base. All blanks are bent along intermittent marks. Then small cuts are made along the continuous stripes located on the wing and tail. The tail is folded along the dotted lines. All elements are glued together using tape.

Cash envelope

At the beginning of the 15th century, Japanese aristocrats introduced the tradition of passing notes to each other folded in a special way. Only the author or the addressee could open them and read them without tearing the paper. This high-society game later developed into the art of gift wrapping, called origata.

It was practiced by families of noble samurai as a demonstration of virtuoso mastery of various types of skill. A small gift was placed on a piece of paper and then elegantly wrapped, without ever being moved or turned over. At the same time, by the shape of the envelope, the recipient could determine what was inside – a certain symbolism of the folds was developed.

Origami may have become an extension of the art of origata. It is not difficult to believe this hypothesis when folding Japanese money envelopes. Thanks to handmade work, even the simplest models look elegant and add a special charm to gifts for an anniversary, wedding, birth of a child or graduation. Almost all origami envelopes can be made from A4 sheet.

Crane

To make such a figure, take a square sheet of paper and fold it along both diagonals on all sides. The sheet is then turned over and folded horizontally and vertically. The paper blank is bent into a square, while pulling the three upper corners towards the lower one, all this is carefully ironed by hand.

From the open edge of the square blank, the ends are bent towards the center, first from the right and then from the left edge. All this is turned over, and they do the same on the other side. Later, the top of the head is carefully bent, first in one direction and then in the other direction.

All this is also ironed. The upper part is completely unbent, its top is pulled, while folding the edges on the sides. As a result, a small boat is formed. All this is turned upside down again, the same actions are repeated on the other side.

The movable section is bent towards the center from one edge, and then from the other. The resulting legs are bent diagonally, with one part acting as the head and the other as the tail of the bird. The future tail is moved apart from the side and bent in the middle; the same is done with the crane’s head.

Crane bookmark by Joe Nakashima

A new take on the traditional tsuru crane is offered by a famous Brazilian designer. Of course, his origami model requires experience and patience, but analyzing each step step by step makes the task much easier.

Video description of the model:

Ship

In this case, you will need a rectangular sheet of paper. Material from a notebook may be suitable. It will need to be folded in half and the corners folded towards the center. Then you need to raise the free edges and hide the corners. As a result, a triangle should form.

Next, the corners are again combined with each other, after which the workpiece is made in the form of a square.
It is taken by the upper corners and then turned in all directions. The product will open up and the result will be a boat.

It is recommended to cover it with paraffin. In this case, it will not get wet when immersed in water.

Box

Among the first products made using the origami technique were dishes for temple offerings. Pieces of fish, boiled rice and vegetables were placed in small paper boxes – sanbo – and placed on the altar. Several types of such disposable utensils are known, but the most popular was the model “with ears” on the sides. Even today origamists love to fold it.

The “eared” box is small in size – just enough for one serving of rice. If you need something more spacious, it is better to choose a different scheme.

For an origami box, you can use an A4, A3 sheet or even a whole Whatman paper. The main thing is that the paper is thick? and the finished model did not fall apart during operation.

Step by step instructions:

Place the sheet horizontally (landscape orientation).
Bend the rectangle from right to left.
Revealing.
Fold the opposite edges towards the center.

Turn the workpiece over.
Bend the right edge towards the center line, releasing the part that was behind.
This creates a zigzag fold.
On the left we do the same.

Move the right valve to the left.
Bend the edge to the vertical fold indicated by the arrow.
Carefully iron the resulting line.
Opening the folds.

Fold the upper and lower corners on the right.
Repeat the action on the left. But we bend the corners more strongly and only in the top layer.
Fold the edge along the dotted line.
Fold the left flap to the right.
This is what should happen.

Repeat steps 13-16 on the left.
Open the product from the inside.
We press the pointed corners inward.
Align the box along the bottom contour, giving it a clear shape.
Squeeze the corners with your fingers for greater rigidity.

A simple and spacious box is ready. You can store art and stationery supplies, jewelry in it.

The second, simpler, version of the A4 origami box is presented in the following diagram:

Doll

To create a paper doll, take white paper, roll it into an elongated ball, this part will act as the head. It is carefully placed on a wire, which is then braided with paper material in several thin layers at once.
Moreover, it is better to take a blue or pink base. The resulting element will become a dress for the doll.

After this, two small strips of wire are cut, they should be the same size. They are braided with white material and then bent a little. These blanks will become the hands of the doll. These pieces are placed parallel to each other and connected.

In the same way, legs are formed from other pieces of wire (longer parts should be taken).
They connect to the body. Next, take a colored napkin, carefully cut out a small piece from it, which is rolled up. It will become the doll’s skirt. The finished part is placed in the central part of the vertical wire.

Swans

These figures can be easily made from either white A4 paper or napkins. In any case, the material is placed at an angle downwards, the line in the central part stands out; to do this, you need to bend the sheet a little. After this, the workpiece is turned inside out and the corners are folded towards the middle.

After this, you need to bend the upper section so that the upper corner touches the lower one, half of the newly created corner is turned up. This should form the swan’s head. Next, to add volume, the workpiece is folded vertically. I also straighten the neck and head.

Frog

To make this figurine, you will first need to take a green sheet. It is carefully folded diagonally, and then turned over in the opposite direction and bent horizontally and vertically.

The corners on the sides are bent and create a workpiece in the form of a triangle. On one side, the sides are folded towards the central part. These will be the frog’s legs. Each of the legs must be turned away from the middle and divided into two equal parts.

After this, the triangular blank is turned over with its paws down, the corners are bent towards the upper corner. The side parts are also folded upward. The lower corners are turned upward to create eyes. Pupils and eyelashes are drawn using paints.

A “zipper” fold is formed in the lower part near the hind legs. The larger the bend, the farther the frog can jump.

In order for her to make a jump, you should press the tail in the form of a fold.

DIY paper crafts without glue and scissors

To make paper crafts with your own hands without glue and scissors, you need to study the assembly diagrams or follow the step-by-step instructions.

Step-by-step instructions for making a “ship”

Prepare a sheet of double-sided multi-colored A4 paper.
Fold the paper in half, short side to short side.
Wrap again, short to short. A small rectangle has formed.
Open it one step, you get a little book. There is a fold at the top and the cut sides at the bottom.
The edges from above are curved towards the middle.
The stripe bends upward.
Fold the corners.

Step-by-step guide to making a dove craft

Prepare a square piece of double-sided multi-colored paper (or white).
Fold diagonally.
Then again diagonally, you get a small triangle.
From the opening side of the triangle, the corner component on the left is added to the corner component on the right.
The same is done from the back.
Turn and fold the top to the bottom, similar to the reverse.
Open the folds, now these sides need to be bent inward (pressed with your fingers), also with the second part.
Fold one opening fragment along the strip (it is already there, the fold occurs freely), also from the back.
Turn the craft over and start making the head.
Using your finger, press inward in the center.
The tail section folds in on itself.
Open the bent part of the tail and bend it in half at the top.
Draw the eyes.
The dove is ready.

Such a dove will become an attribute for the holiday of peace.

Step-by-step guide for making a “bunny”

Prepare a square-shaped piece of double-sided colored paper.
Two opposite corners are connected diagonally, the square turns into a triangle.
The triangle turns over with one corner down, and two close to each other, the middle of the base is located.
The triangle is turned over with the base and the marked middle down, and a line is added a centimeter.
The side corner turns slightly, not reaching the upper corner, the finger of one hand should be on the bend.
The same thing is done on the other side.
The figure unfolds, the outer element is folded inward to form the bunny’s head.
The eyes are glued on, the nose is made of plasticine, the antennae are drawn with a felt-tip pen. The bunny is ready.

This is a great toy for kids. You can create a bunny family and act out a scene. To make the figures denser, you can use cardboard.

We invite you to watch the video instructions:

Jumping Frog

When talking about models made from rectangles, one cannot fail to mention this dynamic toy, beloved by children. The jumping frog is incredibly simple to perform, but can bring a lot of joy with its high and intricate somersaults. And with it you can organize real “flight range” competitions.

It was experimentally found that models from ¼ landscape sheet jump best. That is, for this origami craft, the A4 format will have to be divided into four parts. It is recommended to take thick paper – office paper or for pastel painting, then it will spring back well when pressed.

Step by step instructions:

Fold the sheet in half vertically. Let’s expand.
Align the upper right corner with the left edge. Return the workpiece to its original position.
Repeat the same action on the left.
Turn the model inside out.

Lower the top edge of the rectangle to the base of the diagonal folds. We raise. Turn the product over again.

Fold the upper part into a “Double Triangle” along the previously outlined fold lines.

Raise the lateral corners of the triangle to the top.
Align the right side along the central axis. We repeat the action on the left.
We bend the triangles from step 7 in height so that they “look” to the sides.
Raise the bottom edge and align it with the top.

Bend the same part back.

Turn the model over to the front side. We paint it to give it a realistic look and start playing.

For older children and experienced origami artists, there are more complex frog models. They are used in hand-made jewelry, table decor, or as “artists” for home puppet shows.

Heart

An excellent decoration for a handmade card or a memorable photo album. There are many options for origami hearts of varying complexity. It’s time to add another model to your collection.

Step by step instructions:

Fold the upper part of the A4 sheet into a “Double Triangle”. Details on how to do this are described in the description of the “Jumping Frog” model.
Fold both sides of the first layer towards the top.
Fold the edges towards the middle, as shown in the photo. We bend the lower part of the figure to the base of the rhombus.
Turn the workpiece over. Lower the triangular valve. We bend the lower corners towards the central axis. We fill them inside our triangular valve.

Make two diagonal folds at the top to give the origami heart a rounded shape.
Turn the figure over to the front side.

The decor can also be used as a pendant, especially if you use starched fabric instead of paper.

Heart

To make such a craft, you will first need to take a sheet of red paper. The square is bent vertically and horizontally. Then it is folded in half. The corners are folded upward. However, they should not touch the fold line.

When the triangle is formed, it is turned over with the angle up. The free edges are folded over the sides and immediately folded back. This will create clear lines. Along them you need to bend the corners into the inner part on all sides at once.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0QqDbXTKQ-HbICY2hXpieB1Ots256R2w

The sharp parts of the heart are smoothed out a little with your fingers. The product is turned over onto the front part, the hole is blown out, which remains near the pointed end.

The resulting heart can be attached to a gift box or simply hung on a rope to create a hanging decorative item.

Firecracker

To make a paper cracker, you should take a rectangular paper base. All four corners are folded towards the central part, and then the material is folded in half to form a trapezoid-shaped piece. Its corners are turned down and bent in half one more time, this will form a three-dimensional triangle.

You will need to take it by the sharp end and shake it vigorously so that the air can completely escape from the figurine along with the traditional cotton.

Stages of making a “heart” craft

Prepare a square red sheet of double-sided colored paper.
Fold the paper in half, one side to the other.
Unfold, do the same on the other side.
Expand. It turns out to be a large square with four small ones inside.
The bottom fragment is formed in half, with the side facing the center of the large square.
Turn the other side, the right outer corner is pulled towards the middle.
The second component is also added.
The figure turns over. If everything is done correctly, you will get a small corner pocket.
The two sides are shaped into the middle.

In conclusion

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRJAQ9EV-JCMr6Cbu_zyitQ

To create a toy, gift, or craft, it is not necessary to have a lot of material and equipment. After all, nothing needs to be glued or cut with scissors. It is enough to stock up on colored sheets of paper and strictly follow the assembly diagram or step-by-step instructions.