How To…

…Make a paper crane

What you will need:

A square piece of paper

What you will do:

1. Fold the paper diagonally from corner to corner, then unfold and fold the opposite corners so that there is an “x” imprint in the paper.
2. Turn the paper over and fold side to side so that there is a “t” shaped imprint in the paper. The t-shaped fold should point out while the x-shaped fold should point in.
3. On the side with the outward pointing x-shape, push the diagonal folds together so that the paper bends into a smaller square. The t-shaped fold should help create the edges of this square.
4. The small square should have two layers to it. Turn the square so that it looks like a diamond and fold the lower half of the paper into the middle crease. Repeat this on both sides. The resulting shape should look like a kite.
5. Bend the top of the kite down on each side so that a crease is formed horizontally across the top edges of the bottom half of the kite.
6. Unfold the kite so that it is back to smaller square shape.
7. Find where the smaller square opens up without unfolding the small square entirely. Bend this piece up so that the square resembles a long diamond.  Repeat on both sides. There should be two legs of paper that make up the bottom half of the diamond. The earlier creases of the kite should help form the diamond’s shape.
8. Open the side edges of the diamond so that there are four sides to the diamond. It should not be able to lay flat. There should be a small triangle in the center of the diamond.
9. Separate the two legs of the bottom half of the diamond, and bend them upward (one at a time on both sides). The paper should be in the shape of a long triangle with the smaller triangle still in the center. The paper should lay flat.
10. Fold down the top and bottom sides of the paper to form the wings of the crane. The legs of the paper should be folded upward between the smaller triangle.
11. Fold one leg of the triangle in half through the center crease of the  leg to form the beak of the crane. The other leg can be gently pulled out a bit to form the tail.

What you will end up with:

A cute origami paper crane.

-By Blair Donald
RT Broadcast Producer