Easy Origami Flower Beginner Book Instructions: Most Highly Recommended
Along my journey to discovering how to make origami flowers I came across many roadblocks. While the journey was enjoyable I have to admit that if there were an origami resource that would have eased the process for in learning how to make origami flowers, even ever so slightly, it would have made my life much easier and helped me avoid certain frustrations.
Now, don't get me wrong... I do like certain challenges very much! But I would have preferred that those challenges had come in the form of developing my skill, perfecting technique to get origami flowers done correctly and nicely and also in the creation of my own original origami flower creations.
One of the snags I encountered was that I found very few books dedicated to only flowers, let alone solely origami flowers, and the origami book volumes I did find were often poorly written and lacked good illustrations. Often there were less illustrations than there were steps and I was left having to guess and become frustrated at figuring out whether or not I was folding correctly due to the lack of visual references.
Another was that I had to search and pick through many, many books to collect the origami flower instructions to build a repertoire and collection of origami flowers that I could learn.
Recently I came across a book called, "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers". I wasn't particularly interested in looking at another origami book but because the introductory price was so low ($5 - I don't know if it still is) I didn't hesitate getting it.
I could relate to the claims on the web site, which talked about searching online to find "something left to be desired" instructions and the burden of looking online for any useful information. Not to mention looking through physical books, scanning them to find origami flower instructions of any use and rarely succeeding.
Actually, that reminds me of a book called "How To Make Paper Flowers and Party Decorations" by Natalie Morgan. However, this book is not about origami and while it is a great resource it did not help me nor will it help those interested in origami flowers. Still, I have it in my collection and have enjoyed creating from it very much at times. I was pleasantly surprised when I purchased "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" and the paper flower book by Natalie Morgan was included at the time as an extra gift bonus even though it was not mentioned on the sales page. It was a nice plus.
I wish some sort of origami book existed, at least that I knew of, that was like "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers". It has top notch illustrations and it has them for every step. The origami instructions contain to the point but comprehensive guidance and it is pretty much devoid of extraneous information.
"So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" also contains templates at the end for all of the origami flowers within it. This origami book makes origami easy and that is a big plus if you are a beginner. The origami flowers taught go from easy to slightly more advanced but not insane. I believe this origami book will provide an easy way to learn and develop a strong foundation for continuing one's journey in origami paper flower creation.
It is worth very much to buy an easy origami book like this one for such a nominal amount when the origami instructions are made easy to understand with complimentary pictures to follow along all the steps, where not only do you get that but my favorite part is that every origami instruction is for flowers and so it contains a collection of beautiful origami flowers to contain in just this one origami instruction resource. In my book that beats the heck out of searching online to find origami flowers one can make just to save a few measly bucks. Beautiful!
But, I do have one slight reservation and that is that in this origami book there are no photos of completed origami flowers. It doesn't really matter, since the illustration in the instructions will get you there and you will find out soon enough what your origami flowers look like. So, it's not that origami flower pictures are necessary but it would have been nice. I asked the author about that and when he was kind enough to reply to me I was told that he does agree that it would be a nice plus to have a picture or at least a hand drawn illustrated representation of the finished flower but he does not own a digital camera since his last one went on the fritz. He actually wants to buy a new one when he can and not just for the sake of adding finished origami flower pictures in his easy origami instruction book, but because he also wants to show people how to make an origami money flower and he says that to explain this properly it would be better to take photos of the origami money flowers. I would agree with that. He ended by saying that since his origami book is being received well he may do some videos, but that is no guarantee.
One last piece of advice to the author, William. In my experience most of the people who want to make origami flowers are women. Now, I'm not saying many men don't enjoy origami. Obviously many do and I am one of them, but most seem to be women and the web site for this origami paper flower book seems to be marketed at guys by playing the angle that it will make them more interesting and more sweet to the opposite gender. This could indeed work and is an interesting avenue to take, but if I were him I would probably focus my attention on the women somewhat more because I think that's where William's main customer base would come from. Hey, I had to think of something to criticize! :) j/k
There you have it my friend. "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" is my number one origami book of choice for beginners and those wanting to learn because, and here are only three reasons because this article is getting pretty long:
A) Easy to understand
B) Illustrations don't let down
C) My favorite reason - It is all about the flowers
I would have mentioned the low price. It is actually low, yes, but for me that is not a main reason to get or not get an origami book. The affordability of it just makes it less of an excuse not to get if one wants to learn origami and needs to get started somewhere. This origami book is in digital format but is nicely done that it looks ready to be printed out and published in physical form, which come to think of it would be a nice thing.
Don't forget, origami flower making is still origami. Even if you are interested in something other than just origami flowers, it will still build your chops to do other origami as well.
I have to give "So, You Want To Learn... How To Make Paper Flowers" 8 out of 10 stars. This origami book was a pleasant find for me and it can help you get started in your origami flower hobby in developing and mastering a great and wonderful skill to possess.
You can find this convenient little gem, see a sample and get free origami flower tips delieverd to you at...
How To Make Origami Flowers Special Offer!
Origami Flowers Diagrams Free with Perks!!!
Free Origami Flower Instructions with a Special Twist!Erich here again and just want to quickly let you know that over at www.paper-flowers.org there is a special going on for people who sign up in the subscribe box.
You can also see the offer on the blog here:
http://blog.paper-flowers.org/?p=11
It doesn't matter whether you sign up in that one or in the one on the main web page.
The price of the book has been raised recently but William from that web site wants to encourage people to take action on their interests and is rewarding everyone who subscribes with a Special Offer on his fantastic book "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" (Should have been name "[...]... How To Make Origami Flowers", but oh well :-)
He gives out free origami flower tips, lessons, advice and things of interest within this area of hobbies from time to time and you also get some Free Origami Flower Instructions when you sign up.
But like I said he just recently added this special deal and there is no risk just to find out what it is but you must fill out the form with a name and email.
Okay, just giving you the heads up! Bye!
PS. People who missed the first price of $5 and then the second price of $17 REALLY need to see this if they don't want to pay the NEW price. If origami flowers is an interest and passion of yours and especially if you are just starting to learn YOU will not regret it!
Finding Information About Origami
When Origami Instructions Are Hard To Come By
Origami, once only used as a hobby or pass time has many uses in the world we live in today. This art form is still enjoyed by a multitude of people for recreation, but now it has found a place in other different areas. Since origami has a lot to do with mathematics, it is used in schools to teach children. Using origami as a teaching tool helps to make learning math more enjoyable. This activity is also used by medical professionals for various types of therapy including therapies for mental health patients. Origami is also used in the technical world as well.Where would people find information about origami? Since origami is first and foremost considered an art or craft, a great place to find information would be in an arts and crafts store. A store such as this usually sells a selection of any and all tools, materials and instructions for several different types of crafting activities. If you go to an arts and crafts store and discover they do not carry origami supplies, it's likely a salesperson can point you in the right direction.
Information about origami can probably be obtained from a library. Since this activity is used by many people in society, the library will certainly carry some literature about it. Many articles that are written about origami have references provided that will lead to even more details about the activity.
Magazines are a great source or information about origami. There are many craft magazine publications, some printed on a weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc. basis. Browsing these various magazines a person will likely find beneficial origami details. Other magazines that might have information about origami are mathematical and technical publications. Because this concept is used in many modern day situations, occasionally these magazines may print related articles.
If looking for information about origami, a person's best bet is to search the web. The Internet provides a worldwide database for just about any subject imaginable. One great of advantage of searching the Internet is the search engine. There are different search engines provided on the Internet such as Google and Yahoo. Using either of these search engines a person could quickly find information about origami. Searching the relevant websites would educate people regarding the usefulness of the art of origami. They would learn that this popular activity is not just a form of art but a form of therapy, rehabilitation and education as well. When connected to an origami-related website there will likely be links provided to similar sites. If really interested in learning about this activity, an individual has ample opportunity if using the Internet. This resource can also put people in touch with origami information in the community.
There are many towns and cities that host regular origami events which include competitions. Art shows are also great places to look for details and examples of origami compositions. People who design origami compositions and create unique objects will frequently display them at art galleries and art shows. To learn what is possible in the world of origami, an art gallery would definitely be a great place to visit.
What You Need To Remember...
Although these are certainly great places for you to find information about origami you may not necessarily find what is right for you. Think about what type of person you are and how you tend to learn best. For some people finding the proper instruction can be daunting. We are all different and since origami can be considered a precision art form it is in your best interest to get a hold of proper instruction.
For you it may be meticulous walk throughs with comprehensive instruction for guidance, explaining in great detail each move you need to make. Or you may need many visual aids so that you can have pictures as reference to make sure you are doing things correctly. Just as with anything else some origami instruction is better than others and because someone may know what they are doing doesn't mean they are good teachers.
It is not always easy to find a great origami book, especially one that suits you personally. While you may be able to make heads and tails of almost any origami instruction after you have some experience, at first you need proper guidance to give you a strong foundation when you are a beginner.
How To Make An Origami Paper Flower
Origami For Beginners - Basic Fold & Water Lily
Today I'm going to show you how to make an origami paper flower. Since this is for origami beginners I am going to show you the base fold.I'm pretty good at making origami paper flowers, but since I believe illustrations are important but I'm a dunce at doing illustrations, I've asked for permission to use the accompanying illustrations made by William Alexandre of "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" for this lesson I am going to give you. William kindly allowed me to use these.
The first origami for beginners basic flower fold I learned was different from this one but I believe this is a great one to learn because it is simple enough and it produces a very pretty flower in itself upon which many other flowers can be based. So, that is why I have picked this one out of William's book. When you are done and you see your first petal you are going to think, "That is so cool!"
First we are going to do the basic fold for our origami paper flower and then I will show you what to do with it to make the origami lily.
1) First, get a square piece of origami paper or you can use almost any kind of paper if you'd like. Origami beginners should use a large sheet for practice. Fold your square along the dotted lines as shown in the image bringing the corners into the center of the square.
2) Your shape should now look something like the origami image below. Fold again on the dotted lines and repeat what you did in step one.
3) Turn your origami square over so that the back side is now facing you. Repeat the same step folding on the dotted lines.
4) Your origami square fold should now look like the image below.
5) Grab a flap from underneath your origami square at the corner as shown in the image below.
6) Push the corner of your origami square in and bring the flap over gently being careful not to tear the flap, as shown in the image below.
7) If done correctly you should have your first origami petal! Congratulations.
8) Repeat the last step for the three remaining corners.
9) Now, between each of your four petals are still some flaps on the reverse side. Bring those up to create four more petals and you now have your very first origami flower base fold.
To create the origami water lily is now simple if you got this far. Make another basic fold on a sheet of paper that is approximately half the size of the first. You may then glue or paste your your second smaller origami flower within the first and you have your origami water lily flower.
I hope you have enjoyed making your first origami paper flower for beginners. You can base many other flowers upon this origami base fold such as the rose, clematis, hydrangea and others.
I hope to come back and show you some more some other time. Until then, happy origami folding!
Thanks again to William Alexandre of "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers" for the images.
Basic How To Fold Origami Instructions
10 Origami Paper Folds
Just like other arts, origami folds have their own names among a plentiful amount of origami jargon.The following are some basic origami folding instructions. They are not necessarily limited to origami flowers but I want to help you expand your knowledge and there is no harm in learning to do these as an origami beginner even if your main interest is origami flowers. It will only help to build your skill. Always try to make your origami folds crisp and clean.
1) Mountain & Valley Folds - Before we begin I just want to tell you what a valley fold and a mountain fold is. A valley fold is a fold that is shape like a valley where the fold is made to form a valley ( \/ ). A mountain fold is the opposite where the fold is closest to you ( /\ ).
2) Book - fold your sheet of square origami paper vertically down the very center making sure the edges line up nicely. Open up your origami square and make another origami fold across but this time make it horizontal.
3) Handkerchief - Do as with the book fold except when you make your horizontal fold do not open up your square after doing the vertical fold. This will create a smaller square of four layers.
4) Cupboard - Take a square sheet of paper and make the book fold you have already learned. Open your origami fold open back to its original square shape and take two edges, left and right, and fold them by bringing the edges to the center.
5) Accordion ( or Fan) - Make a cupboard fold and then open it back up. You should have four equal sized vertical rectangles that are separated by three vertical valley folds. Turn the fold over and fold the outer edges onto the the nearest creases making two mountain folds. Turn it over again fold it back into the cupboard shape. Turn it back around and fold the edges on to the middle crease for two more mountain folds. You should now have a series of alternating valley and mountain folds creating your origami accordion or fan.
6) Lattice - Make the cupboard origami fold. Open the origami fold back up and repeat but this time do it horizontally. You now have the lattice, which should consist of 16 squares.
7) Shawl - Fold a square sheet diagonally very neatly. You may open it up to create another diagonal fold from the two remaining corners.
8) Envelope - With a square piece of paper make make two diagonal folds creating an X. Open the paper back up and bring each corner to the middle. This is similar to the initial stages of the base fold and water lily origami instructions I teach you in another article.
9) Picture Frame - Create the envelope fold. Open in back up and turn each corner to the outer diagonal line. Fold each of the four corners inward.
10) Heaven and Hell - Create an envelope origami fold. Turn it over and fold each corner to the center once more. Turn it back over and you will see pockets. Lift them open. This is also similar to the base fold I reach you in the base fold article but it leaves out a step.
These may not all necessarily be origami folds for flowers but don't limit yourself. Build your skill and dexterity. It will only help you be even better at your origami flowers.
Origami For Kids
Origami Benefits Children
Even way back in the 1800s it was known that origami was a great skill to teach children. Not just by helping them develop eye-hand coordination, origami for kids aided in concentration and would put an instant toy in their hands that they could be proud about having made the origami themselves.Origami for kids brings a sense of worthiness from the ability to fold crepe or tissue paper into an object. Origami helps children learn much more than making fanciful little toy figures to play with. With origami for kids comes an increase in dexterity and increased ability to pay attention and follow directions. Children's creativity increases with origami and they can also perceive things more clearly and origami helps kids calm down.
In today's society where everything is fast and on the move all the time, it is important to help children achieve balance and serenity from sitting patiently and quietly in peace folding paper origami figures.
Where origami for kids is concerned it is a good idea to keep the following in mind:
1. You should practice the origami figures yourself that you plan to teach your children so that you can anticipate any of the steps that may be too complicated and confuse them, eliminating them or simplifying them when possible.
2. Certain origami figures may need to be simplified for real young children. If you can do that for your kids that would be helpful. The idea is not to confuse them. You could also show them slowly yourself and even take their hands as you are teaching them.
3. Teach them in a pleasant environment away from distractions and have plenty of origami material since they are bound to make mistakes.
4. Explain the origami folds to children in a way that they can understand. Using a large piece of paper may help so that the process is easier. Then move on to smaller origami paper.
5. Although you should do what you can to make origami for kids an experience they can enjoy and perform, give them adequate time and room to try and figure out certain things for themselves. Only help when they have real difficulty.
6. Children can and should try and figure out their own mistakes without interference from adults. Be attentive and help but let them figure things out when possible since there is no rush and they can do it as many times as they need to. When necessary, point out mistakes lovingly and do not criticize.
7. Origami for kids will involve repetition to eventually get things right. Let them repeat exercises as much as they need to.
8. Let them know what a good job they are doing Don't make a big deal out of imperfect folds or crookedness.
9. Allow the kids to express themselves and what they think and feel about their origami creations. Let them have their own opinions and do not force your own especially in a nit-picky way.
10. Kids can be very open and creative at a young age because they hopefully have not become so self aware and filled with complexes as we all do as we grow up but they may not always do well with the abstract. So, if they like to paint their animal or origami flowers so that it looks more like the real thing to them then allow them to.
When my niece moved in with us temporarily with her mother and father when they moved to our town my niece had a hard time adjusting. I got a couple of the kids around to come over.
Origami flowers for kids helped them to get to know each other, break the ice and bond. It did wonders for her self esteem and she made two new friends.
Anyone, whether child or adult, starting out in origami should start easy, slow and enjoy themselves but origami for kids should be especially easy to learn and understand. Find an origami book if you need to that makes origami easy. Many children's origami books are not always easy oddly enough. It may be that the authors who are accustomed to origami find their craft easy and so their origami instructions may seem easy to them, but they don't translate well to the kids all the time.
I recommend a book that is a great foundation and designed for the beginner. But if you decide to use something else make sure you understand how to do the origami folds yourself first no matter where you learn from to teach your children. If you don't get it then they probably won't either.
When starting out doing origami for kids, or for any beginner, pick a well lit room to make your origami figures in. Start with simple origami before moving your way up to more advanced origami. We all need to learn to walk before running, and crawling even before walking. You don't have to use expensive paper to start out. You can use the typical sheet of writer paper if you want. Also use larger sheets since it will make learning to do the origami fold much more easy.
Make your origami folds sharp and as accurate as you can. If you start out and start your kids out by doing things as correctly as possible, your origami creations will benefit from instilling good habits from the get go but as I have said before do not criticize and nit pick however their origami shapes turn out. Simply encourage proper habits from the start.
Origami for kids is a tremendous aid in development. I would encourage you to try origami for kids and the sooner you do the better. It is fantastic.
How To Make A Paper Origami Rose
One Way To Make Origami Roses
An Origami Rose
Origami Folding Instructions
Lily & Iris Origami Flowers
Origami Flower - Lily, Iris - Folding Instructions
These step by step instructions help you to fold your own origami flower - a lily or iris. Perfect for beginners. LisaShea.com has many more photos of origami and origami folding instructions.
Origami Paper Flower For Beginners
Origami Flowers Beginners Links
- Easy Origami Beginners Instruction Book
For beginners I highly recommend "So, You Want To Know... How To Make Paper Flowers". In my experienced opinion this easy origami book is ideal especially for beginners, including kids, with easy to understand origami flower instructions, great illustrations and best of all is all about origami flowers and is a very nice collection of origami flowers to get you started. Maybe I am biased but if you read my intro I think it's great to have such a decent instruction book with nothing but origami flowers. Highly recommended. You can get a free sample there also and free email lessons. Contact the webmaster for suggestions or what you'd like to see if you wish.
- How To Make Paper Flowers Blog
- Here is a blog with some more information, ideas, talk and instructions (including videos) for learning how to make origami flowers.
Origami Paper Flowers
What Would You Like To See or Know Abourt Origami Flowers?
I want to keep adding new content about origami paper flowers as I am able. The next thing I intend to do is scour and find only the best and most useful videos and add them here. But what else would you like to know? If I can help and have the time, I will. Thanks.
UMT wrote...
You have got a great origami flowers resources here, it's really helpful.
Posted March 17, 2008
mary wrote
thanks for your lense about origami flowers. i found it very helpful and i will check out that site you suggested. thanks for the origami flower videos too. well, off to make more origami flowers.
Posted March 04, 2008
erichsimko wrote...
Cody, are you referring to the base fold and water lily or to the 10 paper origami folds? Also, what is giving you difficulty? If I have the time to help over email I'll try but hopefully you'll see my reply.
Posted February 03, 2008
Cody wrote
Hello, fellow origamists. I am new to this and i need some help with steps 5-10. it is a little confusing, but i am new so i think that it is just that i am not used to this. but if you can help me by sending me an e-mail, i would deeply appreciate it. i need to have it before valentine's day. oh, and i hope you get well soon. well here is my e-mail. codywelch93@yahoo.com
Posted February 01, 2008
erichsimko wrote...
Thanks for your comment Danny. Maybe you're right and it is too dark. I'll try to add origami videos that are more clear thouhg I thought this was a good one. Mainly I would like for them to go a bit slower and show more clearly how they fold and what they are doing. BTW - thanks annie and Tommy for your comments. Yes I am better now :-)
Posted January 15, 2008
Danny wrote
While the end product was great the video was too dark and had too many shadows
Posted January 13, 2008
annie wrote
hiiiiiii! thanks for all the helpful information eric. i'll check out the book you recommend it sounds interesting. i know what you mean about poor info everywhere if its inexpensive iwould rather just get it then searcha round. sorry to hear about your accident too but its great you are better bye!
Posted December 09, 2007
Tommy wrote
Hey, thanks. I found the basic folds article and the origami water lily instructions very helpful. I am sorry to hear about your accident. What happened exactly? I am glad and hope you are doing much better now. Great start for your lense.
Posted December 07, 2007
by erichsimko
My name is Erich Simko and arts and crafts are a passion of mine. In particular I love origami, especially making origami flowers.
Origami flowers star...
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