Origami Pinwheel Base Instructions
Materials: A square piece of paper. Any size is fine, but 6x6 inches works well for beginners.
The Pinwheel base incorporates fundamental folding techniques, including valley folds, mountain folds, and rabbit ear folds. Mastering these techniques sets the groundwork for greater understanding and skill in origami.
Step 1
Start with the color side down.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half horizontally (edge to edge). Crease well and unfold. Fold in half horizontally in the opposite direction. This creates a vertical and horizontal cross crease.
Step 3
Fold the left-edge and right-edge of the paper towards the center vertex. Unfold.
Fold the top and bottom edges towards the center vertex. Unfold.
Step 4
Fold the paper in half diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner. Crease well, then unfold. You should have a diagonal crease line.
Fold the paper diagonally again in the opposite direction. Crease well and unfold. You should now see an “X” crease pattern.
Step 5
Create a blintz fold by folding the four corners towards the center of the paper.
Step 6
Refold the creases made in step 3 - from the bottom edge and the right edge.
A flap will form at the bottom right corner.
Swivel the flap towards the right or down, which ever direction you choose, make sure to be consistent with the directions of the next 3 folds.
Step 7
Rotate the paper clockwise 90 degrees.
Repeat step 6.
Step 8
Rotate the paper clockwise 90 degrees.
Repeat step 6.
Two more flaps will form. Swivel the lower flap to the right and top flap up.
Your Pinwheel Base is complete! Check out these models that start with this base.
Happy folding!