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How to Make Excellent Origami

The art of folding paper gained cultural significance during the Edo Period in Japan. Today, origami continues to delight people all over the world. It is often practiced as a hobby and finished models may be given as gifts or enjoyed alone. To create excellent origami you may use origami paper, pre-cut square sheets of thin paper or photocopy paper. Origami is replicated through the use of diagrams found in books and online.

Things You'll Need

Origami or photocopy paper
Origami diagrams or instruction book

Instructions

- 1
  Using origami diagrams obtained online or in a book, go over the diagram of the origami model you wish to create. Get an idea of how each fold will look. Familiarize yourself with the symbols and basic folds of origami at the beginning of your origami book or online.
- 2
  Use basic origami paper or photocopy paper if you are a beginner. Those who are more advanced with origami should choose paper according to the finished origami model you are trying to reproduce. Pay particular attention to the first folds, as they make up the foundation of the model. Fold firmly. Press the creases in between a hard surface, such as a table, and your fingers.
- 3
  Follow the sequence in the origami diagram carefully, making sure the folds and edges of the paper line up as instructed. Be patient and avoid rushing through the instructions to achieve a final result.
- 4
  Place origami models in a large glass jar for decoration. Give models to friends or coworkers on holidays. Leave finished models in public places for strangers to find and enjoy. Take pictures of your finished models and post them online with documentation on the designer and where to find diagrams.

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