How to Make 3-D Double Swan Origami

Create Triangular Modules

• 1

  Cut an 8-by-11-inch sheet of origami paper into four rectangular strips. Cut these strips into 32 equal rectangles. Repeat the same process for at least 15 other 8-by-11-inch sheets. You will create origami triangles with each of these many rectangles.

• 2

  Fold the rectangle in half horizontally and create a smaller rectangle. Open the paper, so it looks like a "V." This is a valley fold. Close the "V" and apply another valley fold through the mid of this folded rectangle creating a smaller rectangle.

• 3

  Fold one half of this rectangle right at the middle of the crease that was formed in the second valley fold and then apply a same fold to the other half; hold the paper upside down. At this stage, the paper should appear like a B-52 bomber.

• 4

  Fold the corners of the wing into little triangles and then valley fold the narrow strip along with the folded corners. At this stage, the piece should look like an equal-sided triangle with a folded base.

• 5

  Apply a valley fold through the mid of this triangle and place it upside down. The triangle is complete now, and it has two pockets at its front. Complete 484 such triangles.

Construct Body and Wings

• 6

  Place the triangles to stand like a mountain with pockets visible.

• 7

  Begin constructing the first two rows of the swan by placing the legs of two triangles in the pocket of another triangle. Continue doing so until a ring is complete; it should take 30 to 35 triangles in each row.

• 8

  Now place this ring upside down so that it looks like a bowl. Continue adding triangles and rows upon rows of rings up to the sixth row. This completes the body, with each level taking 30 triangles.

• 9

  Form the wings by adding triangles to the right and left sides from the seventh (2 by 12 triangles) row. Continue decreasing one triangle from each side as you go. Do this till row 20 (2 by 1 triangle). By the time you get to row 20, you should add only to each side and the shape of the wings should become obvious.

• 10

  Add a tail between the wings on one side by putting together a decreasing number of triangles from row seven. For example, place four triangles on the eighth row, place three on the ninth, place two on the 10th, and place one on the 11th row of the tail.

Construct Neck and Second Swan

• 11

  Use 30 triangles to create the neck. Create a smooth "S" or an inverted question mark shape, by inserting one unit into the pockets of another; a natural curve should form. Insert this neck opposite the tail and the swan is completed.

• 12

  Create a second swan in the same fashion as the first.

• 13

  Place the swans so that their beaks touch forming a heart shape with your double swans.