Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Make an Origami City

When paper was introduced to Japan during the early seventh century, it was mainly restricted to formal and religious use. After this time, little is known about the history of origami until the Edo period. Between 1600 and 1868, paper folding developed into a hobby for all, with the first book on the subject published in 1797. An origami city can be made as large or as small as you desire, but it can be populated with several different buildings. These models all begin with the colored side of the paper down.

Things You'll Need

Origami paper
Markers (optional)

Instructions

Skyscraper
- 1
  Fold the paper in half, then in half again. Fold the bottom quarter up, so the crease indents into the paper (valley fold). Pinch the fold and fold the tab and first crease backwards, so the crease sticks out of the paper (mountain fold).
- 2
  Repeat the valley and mountain fold pleat on the top quarter of the paper, but unfold the top portion.
- 3
  Fold the two bottom corners of the top layer up on a diagonal, so the inside edges run straight up and down.
- 4
  Pop these bottom triangles open, while folding in the left and right sides of the top layer. Collapse the corner triangles and crease, so the horizontal sides stay folded in.
- 5
  Repeat step two on the same creases, keeping the sides folded in.
- 6
  Repeat steps three and four on the bottom corners that this newest pleat creates. Flip the paper over and draw in windows and doors if desired.
Simple Tower
- 7
  Valley fold a small tab on the left side of your paper. Depending on the size of paper, the tab should be between ½ inch and one inch in length.
- 8
  Valley fold the entire piece into thirds. Release your grip so the folds separate.
- 9
  Pull the tab onto the outside of the model to hold it together.
House
- 10
  Valley fold the paper in half from left to right. Unfold. Valley fold the paper in half again, top to bottom. Unfold.
- 11
  Valley fold the left and right sides inwards, so the edges meet at the vertical middle crease. Valley fold the top and bottom sides, so the edges meet at the horizontal middle crease.
- 12
  Valley fold the paper diagonally so the top left corner meets the bottom right. Unfold and repeat the fold on the other corner. Unfold.
- 13
  Unfold the top and bottom flaps, leaving the left and right edges in the center.
- 14
  Pinch the center of the model, and open the left and right sides at the top of the model. Simultaneously fold the top down to form a trapezoid. Repeat this process on the bottom half.
- 15
  Pop the lower trapezoid open with your finger, and collapse the lower trapezoid corners to form two squares, side by side. Create an open door look by folding back the inner corners.

Other Hobbies