Everything in Paper Crafting » Getting Started

Everything In PaperCrafting - Getting Started with Origami

Welcome to EPC, and let us first say, CONGRATULATIONS! You have decided to give this fantastic time-tested multi-cultural hobby a shot, and we're positive that this is the start of a terrific new pastime for you.

The first thing you'll need, obviously, is some paper. You have a few options for this: You can locate your nearest local arts n crafts store (most modern arts stores will sell origami paper), or you can order some online, or you can make your own with a ruler, some scissors, and patience.

Origami paper comes in various sizes, and different origami pieces work best at different sizes, so it's best to make/buy a variety of sizes. You can read our beginner recommendations for paper here.

For certain styles of origami, you will be using multiple sheets of origami to construct one piece. This is called modular origami, and sometimes the pieces will need to be glued together. So make sure to also have some glue on hand (any paper glue will work just fine).

Before we start learning actual origami pieces, let's first learn some basic folds. These simple folds will be used in just about every origami piece, so it's good to do em a few times and practice. A perfect fold is surprisingly hard to do, and the practice will pay off big-time.
	Valley Fold - "Valley Fold" is the formal phrase used in origami for "folding it in half". It can mean either like a book, or from corner-to-corner. Note: Mountain Folds are also explained on this page	Need Origami Paper? Get yours here:
	Cupboard Fold - The next step up from Valley folds, Cupboard folds just fold each half into quarters, making it look like a cupboard.
	Reverse Folds - These are a tricky bunch, definitely tougher than the previous two, but with a bit of practice, you'll get em!