Origami Lily Folding Instructions

The origami lily is a classic and popular origami flower. Did you know that the lily family traditionally represented innocence and purity? Lilies can be found in a variety of hybrids and colors including yellow, pink, white, orange, purple, red and many others.



The origami lily is not too difficult to fold but beginners may find the petal fold slightly challenging. Just take your time and follow each step slowly. If you prefer video, check out our origami lily video instructions.

If you're giving your origami lily to someone as a gift, do use an extra special paper such as these gorgeous Fabric Textured Origami Paper

Or use these Washi Origami Paper with raised patterns and subtle gold flecks.

Start with a 6 inch square piece of origami paper, and fold it into a water balloon base.

Next, take one of the four corners of the base and squash fold it as shown below.




Repeat the squash fold for the other three corners, to give the kite shape shown below.




Now fold the lower edges of the kite into the centerline, then unfold. Fold the top corner down, then unfold.



You will now have crease marks on the piece, that will be used in the next step. Place your finger under the lower point of the kite, and fold upwards as shown. This is a petal fold.



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Folding Money into Shapes

Folding money into shapes can be a lot of fun. It is amazing how many shapes and characters you can make out of money. If you have a few dollars lying around, you may wish to try out some of these interesting origami projects using money.



Choose from many varieties of great shapes that money can be folded to resemble. To get started, find a few crisp dollar bills. The less worn the money is, the more likely it is to fold properly and hold its shape. Many of these origami designs can be done with standard paper, too. Be sure the shape and size of the paper is similar to that of a traditional bill.

Later, you can remove the folds and use the money. You are not cutting or tearing the money in any way. The following are a few designs to consider making.
Fold Money Boots

A fun choice is a pair of money boots. To complete this task, you will need two one-dollar bills, one for each of the pair.

1. Fold the bill in half lengthwise. Then fold the right side over onto the left, end to end. Do not match them up, but allow a half-inch difference from the top to the bottom.
2. Unfold the end-to-end fold. Then, fold the right side down, along the crease that was just made.
3. Fold the left side down along the same crease. The vertical line where the two folds meet is called the centerline. Note that the white edges around the bill should be on the outside of shape.
4. Then, fold the outer edges in to the centerline on both sides.
5. Fold the right bottom corner (the shorter side) from the centerline three times. This forms a tight, smaller end. Later, this end will be tucked into a tight space.
6. Fold the longer other side under the shorter end. When creating this fold properly, it forms a horizontal line. It crosses the centerline at a 90-degree angle.
7. Refold the centerline.
8. Take the shorter tab, wrap it around and tuck it into the flap on the other side. This creates the heel of the boot.
9. Pop the top portion open to form the body of the boot. You have created a money boot.
10. Repeat these steps to create another to have a pair of boots.

Origami Money Bow Tie

To complete your money look, create an origami money bow tie by following these steps. This is one of the oldest methods of money origami. It was a popular hobby in the 1970s!
Origami Money Bow Tie

1. Fold the bill in half with the President's picture on the inside. This should be a vertical, end-to-end fold.
2. Fold the bill in half from top to bottom.
3. Hold the bill so that the denomination number is in the lower left corner. Take the top layer of the four layers in that corner and fold it up. This allows two of the numbers to be showing and creates a triangle at the top.
4. Flip over and repeat on the other side. Use only the top layer of the money to create the fold.
5. Now, fold the flaps out so that only the front of the bill is showing.
6. Have the triangle of the bill face up. Take the front, bottom flap and fold it up to where it just comes to the bottom of the triangle.
7. Turn the bill over and repeat this step on the other side.
8. Take the both top corners of the side facing you and fold them down to meet the middle of the bill.
9. Flip the bill over and repeat for the other side.
10. Carefully pull the two ends away from each other so that the front is facing you. Flatten down the bill. You should now have a money bow tie.
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Origami Boat

Begin with a rectangular piece of paper.

Fold it in half as shown. Then partially fold it again, making a crease near the top:

Here you can see the crease in the photo below left. This helps you line up the corners which you fold down as shown below:

Now fold each edge of the paper upwards as shown. Use your fingers to open up into a hat! You can stop at the hat, or continue on to the boat.

Bring the corners of the hat brim towards each other. The edges of the brim will be pushed outwards. It's kind of like you're "squashing" the hat into a square:

Now take one lower corner of the square and fold it upwards. Flip the piece over and do the same for the other corner.

You now have a folded triangle. Open up the folded triangle, bring the corners together...

...again, "squash" the triangle into a square (below middle photo).

Now pull the outer corners of the square, one in each hand.

Keep pulling to unfold your boat.

We like to turn the boat over and expand the hole in the bottom. This will help it balance and float better.

Now we just need some water to float our origami boat!

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Origami flapping bird

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