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How to make an origami turtle
I was given the paper by my sister a long long time ago. I haven't used up much of the box though.

This is my first how-to, so if something is unclear, feel free to ask for clarification.

Posted by Kirin L. from La Cañada Flintridge, California, United States • Published See Kirin L.'s 4 projects »
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  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 1
    Step 1

    Start with a square. It should be white on one side and colored on the other.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 2
    Step 2

    Flip over so the white side is facing up. Fold in half.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 3
    Step 3

    Fold into quarters. You can do this by folding the bottom edge up to the center fold you made in step 2.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 4
    Step 4

    Fold the top edge down to meet the center fold as well. Unfold.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 5
    Step 5

    Turn the paper 90 degrees. Repeat Step 2-4. You should end up a grid.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 6
    Step 6

    Fold the paper diagonally. Unfold.

    Turn the paper 90 degrees and fold the other diagonal. Unfold.

    Flip the paper over so the green side is facing up.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 7
    Step 7

    A tricky bit.

    Pinch the corners so the diagonal folds appear. The paper will not lie flat.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 8
    Step 8

    Put your thumb at the bottom edge of the paper, and your pointer finger at the top edge of the paper. Squish the paper so it lies flat. It should settle onto folds you made in steps 1-5.

    Flatten completely.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 9
    Step 9

    Notice that there are now 4 layers of paper.

    The side view should look something like this:

    -- layer one
    >< layer two and three
    -- layer four

    Put your finger between layer one and layer two. There should be a fold halfway up the triangle. Bring the bottom edge of the paper up and fold along that fold.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 10
    Step 10

    What it should look like (in progress)

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 11
    Step 11

    Use one finger to hold down the layers of paper at the top. Following the folds that were already made, grab the bottom right corner of the first layer and pull it down so it meets the bottom edge of the paper.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 12
    Step 12

    Repeat on the left side.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 13
    Step 13

    Flip over. Repeat Step 9-12 with the one layer on the other side.

    You should still have 4 layers that look like

    -- layer one
    >< layer two and three
    -- layer four

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 14
    Step 14

    Slide your thumb between layer two and layer three. Push gently up and flatten. There should be pre-existing folds that you can follow.

    (In progress)

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 15
    Step 15

    You should end up with a triangle shape. Repeat on the right side.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 16
    Step 16

    This is what it should look like.

    Turn over and repeat.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 17
    Step 17

    The top half should have 6 layers.

    -- layer 1
    -- layer 2
    >< layer 3 and 4
    -- layer 5
    -- layer 6

    Grab the two triangles of layer 1. Make a diagonal fold on each. triangle.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 18
    Step 18

    This is what it should look like.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 19
    Step 19

    Fold down layer 1.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 20
    Step 20

    Grab layer 2. Fold the point down halfway.

    (In progress)

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 21
    Step 21

    This is what it should look like.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 22
    Step 22

    Fold layer 1 up again.

    Repeat Step 17-22 on the other side.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 23
    Step 23

    Partially unfold one of the little triangles.

    Fold layer 3 (ONE layer only) up until it reaches where the little triangle is. Look at the photo for clarification.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 24
    Step 24

    Fold down the little triangle again.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 25
    Step 25

    Repeat Step 23-24 on the right side.

    Then turn over and repeat on the other side.

    You should have something like this.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 26
    Step 26

    Push up the head and the tail. This is an inside reverse fold.

    You can do this by putting your fingers in the gap between the two bottom triangles.

    In progress.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 27
    Step 27

    Completed fold.

    Repeat on the left side.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 28
    Step 28

    Almost done!

    The next step is to open up the shell.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 29
    Step 29

    Top view of the turtle.

    I opened up the layers a bit so it was easier to see.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 30
    Step 30

    The four little flaps on the outside are the turtle's feet. There is a little pocket beside them. Slide your fingers into the pockets (probably easiest to do this with two hands) and slowly and gently push down. The paper will tear if you are not gentle.

    You can help the shell open up by gently pressing down on the shell.

  • How to fold an origami animal. Miniature Origami Turtles - Step 31
    Step 31

    Done!

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Comments

Aurore
Aurore · Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FR · 17 projects
Tried ! Thank you for this very clear how to ! So cute Happy
I'd like have a pdf of your paper to print it =)
Reply
Jet H.
Jet H. · Haarlem, North Holland, NL · 108 projects
wooow awesome a real folding how to, i love you for that, i will try this out too. so sweet;-D
Reply

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