Preliminary Base

Preliminary Base

The Preliminary Base and the Waterbomb Base are the bread and butter of origami. Many models start with one of these two bases. In fact, the two bases are folded the same way; you can easily convert one to the other by inverting the model inside-out.

Instructions for Preliminary Base

Preliminary Base

Step 1:

Start with a square sheet of paper. Fold it along the diagonals and then unfold. This gives you a crease pattern like the letter X. Turn the paper over.

Step 2:

Fold the paper in half (left to right). Unfold

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half (top to bottom).

Step 4:

Push the top corners towards one another.

The front layer of paper will lift up towards you.

Preliminary Base

Keep pushing until you get a square shape instead of a rectangle.

Preliminary Base

Step 5:

Swivel the flap of paper pointing towards you to the right. There should be a similar flap of paper behind the model: swivel this flap towards the left.

Preliminary Base

Congratulations, you have made a Preliminary Base.

This base will allow you to make numerous origami models such as this Bluebell flower, this Star Box, this Christmas tree, and more!