Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, which can be used to create beautiful and intricate objects. One of the most popular origami projects is the paper chain, which is a simple yet effective way to add a festive touch to any occasion.
Paper chains are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are also a great way to use up leftover scraps of paper. In this article, you will learn how to make an origami paper chain step-by-step.
To make an origami paper chain, you will need the following materials:
How to Make an Origami Paper Chain
Follow these 10 simple steps:
- Cut paper into strips.
- Fold strip in half lengthwise.
- Unfold and fold in half the other way.
- Unfold and fold the strip in half diagonally.
- Unfold and fold the other diagonal.
- Fold the bottom point up to the center crease.
- Fold the top point down to the center crease.
- Fold the bottom corners into the center crease.
- Fold the top corners into the center crease.
- Interlock two links to form a chain.
Continue folding and interlocking links until your chain is the desired length.
Cut paper into strips.
The first step in making an origami paper chain is to cut the paper into strips. The size of the strips will determine the size of the links in the chain.
- Use a sharp craft knife or scissors to cut the paper.
A sharp blade will give you a clean cut and prevent the paper from tearing.
- Cut the strips along the grain of the paper.
This will make the strips stronger and less likely to tear.
- The width of the strips should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
This is a good size for most origami paper chains.
- The length of the strips can vary depending on the desired length of the chain.
A good starting point is to cut strips that are about 8 inches (20 cm) long.
Once you have cut the paper into strips, you are ready to start folding the links for the chain.
Fold strip in halfeuseengthwise.
Once you have cut the paper into strips, the next step is to fold the strips in half lengthways.
- Take one strip of paper and align the short edges.
- Bring the right edge to meet the left edge, making a crisp fold along the center.
- Run your finger or a bone folder along the fold to crease it sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
By folding the strip in half lengthways, you are creating a center crease that will be used as a guide for the subsequent folds.
Unfold and fold in half the other way.
After folding the strip in half lengthwise, the next step is to unfold it and fold it in half the other way.
- Lay the strip of paper flat in front of you.
- Align the top and bottom edges of the strip.
- Bring the top edge to meet the bottom edge, making a crisp fold along the center.
- Run your finger or a bone folder along the fold to crease it sharply.
By folding the strip in half the other way, you are creating a second center crease that is perpendicular to the first one. This will divide the strip into four equal parts.
Unfold and fold the strip in half diagonally.
After folding the strip in half both lengthwise and widthwise, the next step is to unfold it and fold it in half diagonally.
- Lay the strip of paper flat in front of you.
- Align the top right corner with the bottom left corner, forming a diagonal crease.
- Run your finger or a bone folder along the crease to crease it sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
Repeat steps 1-3 to fold the strip in half diagonally from the opposite corner.
By folding the strip in half diagonally, you are creating two diagonal creases that intersect in the center of the strip. This will divide the strip into eight equal parts.
Unfold and fold the other diagonal.
After folding the strip in half diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner, the next step is to unfold it and fold it in half diagonally from the opposite corner.
- Lay the strip of paper flat in front of you.
- Align the top left corner with the bottom right corner, forming a diagonal crease.
- Run your finger or a bone folder along the crease to crease it sharply.
- Unfold the paper.
By folding the strip in half diagonally from the opposite corner, you are creating two diagonal creases that intersect in the center of the strip. This will divide the strip into eight equal parts.
Fold the bottom point up to the center crease.
After folding the strip in half diagonally from both corners, the next step is to fold the bottom point up to the center crease.
- Lay the strip of paper flat in front of you with the diagonal creases running from top left to bottom right and from top right to bottom left.
- Take the bottom point of the strip and fold it up to the center crease.
- Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
By folding the bottom point up to the center crease, you are creating a triangular flap.
Fold the top point down to the center crease.
After folding the bottom point up to the center crease, the next step is to fold the top point down to the center crease.
- Take the top point of the strip and fold it down to the center crease.
- Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
By folding the top point down to the center crease, you are creating another triangular flap.
The two triangular flaps that you have just created will form the sides of the origami paper chain link.
Fold the bottom corners into the center crease.
After folding the top point down to the center crease, the next step is to fold the bottom corners into the center crease.
- Take the bottom left corner of the strip and fold it towards the center crease.
Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
- Take the bottom right corner of the strip and fold it towards the center crease.
Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
By folding the bottom corners into the center crease, you are creating two smaller triangular flaps.
Fold the top corners into the center crease.
After folding the bottom corners into the center crease, the next step is to fold the top corners into the center crease.
- Take the top left corner of the strip and fold it towards the center crease.
Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
- Take the top right corner of the strip and fold it towards the center crease.
Crease the fold sharply with your finger or a bone folder.
By folding the top corners into the center crease, you are creating two more smaller triangular flaps.
The four triangular flaps that you have just created will form the tabs that you will use to interlock the links of the origami paper chain.
Interlock two links to form a chain.
Once you have folded all of the links for your origami paper chain, it’s time to interlock them to form a chain.
- Take two links and position them so that the tabs of one link are facing the slots of the other link.
- Insert the tabs of one link into the slots of the other link.
- Pull the links together until they are snugly interlocked.
- Continue interlocking links in this manner until your chain is the desired length.
Your origami paper chain is now complete! You can hang it up to decorate your home or give it as a gift.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about origami:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and challenging way to create beautiful and intricate objects using only a single sheet of paper.
Question 2: What are the benefits of origami?
Answer: Origami has many benefits, including improved hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills. It can also be a relaxing and meditative activity.
Question 3: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer: Origami paper is specially designed for folding. It is thin and strong, and it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. However, you can also use regular printer paper or construction paper for origami.
Question 4: What are some easy origami projects for beginners?
Answer: Some easy origami projects for beginners include the paper airplane, the flapping bird, and the jumping frog. You can find instructions for these projects online or in origami books.
Question 5: What are some tips for folding origami?
Answer: Here are a few tips for folding origami:
- Start with simple projects and work your way up to more complex ones as you gain experience.
- Follow the instructions carefully and be patient.
- Use a sharp crease to make clean folds.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different folding techniques.
Question 6: Where can I learn more about origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to learn more about origami, including books, websites, and YouTube videos. You can also find origami classes at local community centers and libraries.
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can create beautiful and intricate objects using only a single sheet of paper.
Now that you know more about origami, you can start folding your own paper creations. With a little practice, you’ll be able to create amazing origami projects that will impress your friends and family.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get started with origami:
Tip 1: Start with simple projects.
Don’t try to start with a complex project if you’re new to origami. There are plenty of easy origami projects for beginners that will help you learn the basics. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more challenging projects.
Tip 2: Follow the instructions carefully.
Origami instructions can be complex, so it’s important to follow them carefully. If you miss a step or fold the paper incorrectly, it can be difficult to correct your mistake. Take your time and make sure you understand each step before you move on to the next one.
Tip 3: Use a sharp crease.
A sharp crease will help you make clean folds that will hold their shape. To make a sharp crease, use a bone folder or the back of your fingernail to score the paper along the fold line. Then, fold the paper along the crease.
Tip 4: Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Once you’ve learned the basics of origami, you can start to experiment with different folding techniques. Try different ways of folding the paper to see what new shapes you can create. You might be surprised at what you can come up with.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to create beautiful and intricate origami objects that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you have some tips to help you get started, it’s time to start folding! Grab a sheet of paper and give origami a try. You might just find that you have a new favorite hobby.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to improve hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills. It can also be a relaxing and meditative activity.
In this article, we have learned how to make an origami paper chain. We have also discussed some of the benefits of origami and provided some tips for beginners. We hope that you have found this article helpful and that you will be inspired to try origami for yourself.
Origami is a beautiful and versatile art form. With a little practice, you can create amazing origami projects that will impress your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
