Origami Ornaments

Procedures
International symbols for folding paper
Symbols


The symbols used in origami are shown at the left. They are the international language of the origami world.
A series of dashes represents a valley fold. Make a concave crease where this line appears.


A series of dots and dashes represents a mountain fold. Make a convex crease wherever this line appears.


A series of dashes with a pair of scissors indicates a cut.


Arrows will show the directions in which you make the fold: left, right, up, down, in front, behind and into. These directions have to do with the page itself. "Fold upward" means "fold toward the top of the page." "Near" is closest to you. "Far" or "behind" is away from you. There are also symbols for turning the model over and for tucking or opening a portion of the model.


Following Directions


There are three important directions given for each step in folding a model.


First, read the written instructions. "Valley-fold" tells you to make a valley fold. "Repeat steps 3-5" gives you instructions which would be difficult to convey in a drawing.


Second, look at the accompanying drawing. The drawing will show you how the model should look as each step in the folding takes place. The arrows will also help you see where to make a fold.


Third, always look ahead to the next drawing. Look to see how the model should look after a fold is made. This will also show you when you have made a mistake. You should go on folding only after you have completed the step successfully.


Procedures


There are several combinations of folds, which when combined produce a desired effect. "Reverse-fold" is a procedure which has several folding steps. These will be explained in the next few pages, before you begin folding. Remember to make each fold as precise as you can.
Paper
The ornaments in this book were designed to be made from Christmas wrapping paper. They can be made from origami paper, but you will enjoy making paper squares from the wide assortment of gift wraps. Here is how to fold and cut the gift wrap into squares that can then be folded into ornaments.

ORIGAMI ORNAMENTS. Copyright © 2000 by Lew Rozelle. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.