Origami Butterfly – The Easiest and Best Way to Make It

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I am always fascinated with origami. This Japanese art of paper folding is fun and rewarding. Just like when I made my first Beautiful Origami Butterfly.

This craft may look difficult. But, it’s really not that complicated. The origami butterfly is actually very easy. 

You will not get lost. The step by step instructions I have below are so easy to follow, so you won’t get confused at all. I even taught my girls to make this Origami butterfly. They were so thrilled.

They put little butterflies on their walls, decorating the car and in the kitchen on the fridge as magnets. They even set a couple of butterflies on their Lavender Paper Flowers in the bathroom…They’re so cute, I don’t even mind. 

What does Origami Literally Mean?

Origami is a Japanese word, that translated to English mean “paper folding”. It is commonly thought of as the art of paper folding.

What is the Cultural Significance of Origami?

For centuries, origami has been a form of recreational art in Japan. It has been used to foster creativity among Japanese children.

Is Origami Just for Kids?

Origami is not just for kids. There are many adults that enjoy the activity. My brother has made some very complicated origami pieces, and truly enjoys the activity.

What Size Paper do You Need to Make an Origami Butterfly?

What size paper you need depends on what size butterfly you’d like the finished product to be:

  • If you’d like to make a small butterfly, use a 4″ x 4″ piece of paper.
  • For a medium butterfly, use a 6″ x 6″ piece of paper.
  • A 10″ x 10″ piece of paper will make a large butterfly.

Virtually any size paper will work, but keep in mind that is has to be square when you start. Smaller pieces of paper may be more difficult to work with at first.

Making the Beautiful Origami Butterfly

When making this easy folded paper butterfly, just follow the instructions. Each number in the instructions is matched with the image to make it easier for you.

Any type of paper in any color will do as long as you can make a square from it. Some origami artists prefer to purchase paper that is specifically made for making origami figures. Most nice origami paper is:

  • thinner than regular writing or copy paper which makes it easier to fold.
  • has the same color on front and back.
  • sold in sheets that are already in a square format.

Now, if you plan to make this origami butterfly craft later on, be sure to Pin this origami craft to your favorite easy DIYs board on Pinterest so that you can find it again when you’re ready.

What is the Simplest Fold in Origami?

There are three basic folds in origami. I don’t think one is any simpler than the others. The three folds are:

  1. Mountain Fold
  2. Valley Fold
  3. Squash Fold

What You Need to Make an Origami Butterfly

  • Colored craft papers
  • Craft glue
  • Scissors
  • Our tutorial, below
Materials for the craft

How to Make an Origami Butterfly

  1. Take a piece of square paper. I’m using a 10 cm X 10 cm sheet (that’s about 3.9 inches square). This is a good size, but most importantly it is square.

2. Fold the square piece of paper diagonally on both sides and into half (both vertically and horizontally) to create creases. 

3. Fold the paper along the diagonal folds and pushing the vertical and horizontal fold inside. 

4. Flatten the folded paper which will form a triangle pattern on both sides. 

Steps 3 - 6

5. Fold the triangle pattern into half vertically. 

6. Cut the open end corner of the folded paper into a round corner.

7. Unfold the last half fold. 

8. Take the top flap from either side, keeping the bottom flap flat. Fold the top flap towards the middle line of the triangular pattern and flatten the folded paper nicely. 

Steps 7 - 10 of making the origami

9. Fold and flatten the other side similarly.  

10. Turn the current paper pattern to the other side.  

11. Fold up the bottom end of the paper all the way to the top end. A small amount of paper on the top should cross the top end.  

12. Turn the paper pattern to the other side again.

steps 11 - 14 of how to make the origami

13. Fold the extra paper on the top towards the front side and tighten the fold nicely with the rest of the paper pattern. You can apply glue on the small part to keep the fold from getting loose.  

14. Cut out 2 small pieces of paper strips (antennas) and stick them on the top side of the paper origami butterfly. 

Origami butterfly
Origami Butterfly
Yield: 1 Paper Butterfly

Origami Butterfly

Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $1

This art of paper folding is fun and rewarding. Just like this easy and beautiful Origami Butterfly.

Materials

  • Colored craft paper

Tools

  • Craft glue
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. Take a piece of square paper. I’m using a 10 cm X 10 cm sheet. 
  2. Fold the square paper diagonally on both sides and into half (both vertically and horizontally) to create creases. 
  3. Fold the paper along the diagonal folds and pushing the vertical and horizontal fold inside. 
  4. Flatten the folded paper which will form a triangle pattern on both sides. 
  5. Fold the triangle pattern into half vertically. 
  6. Cut the open end corner of the folded paper into a round corner.
  7. Unfold the last half fold. 
  8. Take the top flap from either side, keeping the bottom flap flat. Fold the top flap towards the middle line of the triangular pattern and flatten the folded paper nicely. 
  9. Fold and flatten the other side similarly.  
  10. Turn the current paper pattern to the other side.  
  11. Fold up the bottom end of the paper all the way to the top end. A small amount of paper on the top should cross the top end.  
  12. Turn the paper pattern to the other side again.
  13. Fold the extra paper on the top towards the front side and tighten the fold nicely with the rest of the paper pattern. You can apply glue on the small part to keep the fold from getting loose.  
  14. Cut out 2 small pieces of paper strips (antennas) and stick them on the top side of the paper origami butterfly.

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Is Kusudama an Origami?

Kusudama is a type of origami, even though some origami artists are insulted by the way kusudama is put together. Instead of simply folding the paper, in kusudama the pieces are sewn or glued together. The traditional kusudama is a medicine ball.

Before you go, be sure to pin this Origami Butterfly to your favorite board, so you can get back to it in a flash!

If You are Looking for More Paper Crafts, Check Out These:

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Simple Unicorn Wreath

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OMG! This Unicorn Favor Bag is such a cute DIY project! I would love to make these! #diy #craft #unicorn #party #favorbag #partydiy

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