Learn how to make a woven bookmark using just one long strip of paper. Instructions on this page will show you how to carefully fold and weave the paper into a delightful bookmark.
The project is more stunning if you use paper that is colored on one side and white on the back side. Or, if you can, get paper that has a different color on both sides. In this example, the paper strip is 1/2″ wide and 11″ long and the finished bookmark is 3½ inches long.
Instructions for Woven Bookmark
Step 1:
Take a long strip of paper and fold it in half, then unfold. |
Step 2:
Fold the right side downwards at a 45 degree angle. Use the crease made above as a guide to keep the folds straight. |
Step 3:
Rotate the paper so it looks like an inverted V. |
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Step 4:
Fold the right side of the paper towards the left. Make sure that the crease is at a 45 degree angle (in this case, the crease is vertical). |
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Step 5:
Flip the model over. Note that the ends of the paper are now pointing towards the left but in the next image, the paper strips are pointing towards the right. The color side is facing up. |
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Step 6:
Fold the top-right strip of paper towards the left. Again, make a 45 degree fold using the edge of the white triangle as a guide. It is important to be as straight as possible otherwise the woven bookmark will crooked. |
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Step 7:
At this point, the model looks like an upside down V but with a stub of paper at the top. Weave the top strip (white) under the red strip. |
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Step 8:
You begin to see the checkered board pattern classic of woven projects. Fold the right strip of paper towards the left. As you might expect: make 45 degree angle so you get a vertical crease. Remember to use the edge of the white strip of paper as a guide to keep the folds straight. |
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Step 9:
Flip the model so the strips of paper point towards the right. |
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Step 10:
Fold the right strip at a 45 degree angle. Here you will begin to see a pattern:
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Step 11:
Weave white strip under red strip. If you can’t remember which strip should be on top or bottom, try to visualize how you can position the strips so you get the checker board pattern. |
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Step 12:
Follow the Fold-Weave-Fold-and-Flip pattern. |
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Step 13:
Flip the model over and you are back to the beginning of the Fold-weave-fold-flip pattern. |
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Step 14:
Fold-Weave-Fold-and-Flip. Notice of the checker board pattern is getting more and more prominent. The inverted V shape will turn into an inverted Y. |
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When you have folded & woven the entire length of the paper, it should look something like this. Now we have to secure the ends of the paper so it doesn’t unravel.
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 Step 15:
Cut off the excess bit of paper and flip the model over. |
 Step 16:
Cut off the excess bit of paper and flip the model over. |
 Step 17:
Valley fold the remaining strip of paper up. |
 Step 18:
Valley fold the remaining strip of paper up. |
If you did this correctly, the paper strip should be secure and you should have the checker board pattern. Your woven origami bookmark is done!
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You can make different colors and sizes of the woven bookmark.
This woven bookmark can be converted to a hanging ornament.
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