This origami dragonfly is harder than the origami fly, ladybug, or bee, but as dragonflies go, this one is not too bad. It is less than 15 steps and it requires two cuts to separate the wings. It’s a fun model and the results are surprisingly good.
Instructions for Origami Dragonfly
Step 1:
Start with a square sheet of paper with the white-side facing up. Fold it in half to make a triangle.
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Step 2:
Fold up the bottom-corners so the tips meet at the peak of the triangle.
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Unfold.
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Step 3:
Fold down the top-edges so they meet at the center.
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Unfold.
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Step 4:
Make a Rabbit Ear Fold. To do this, fold the top section down along the crease made in step 3.
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Fold the bottom section up along the crease made in step 2.
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Fold the entire flap up.
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Step 5:
Repeat the Rabbit Ear fold on the other side. Fold down the top section.
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 Fold up the bottom section.
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 Fold the new flap up.
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Step 6:
Fold the new flaps down so they are perpendicular to the body of the model. These will be wings.
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Step 7:
Make the body of the dragonfly more narrow by folding in the sides. |
In transition. |
You will need to squash down the paper where it buckles (yellow arrowheads) so the wings are flat. |
Turn the model over. |
Step 8:
Gently pry open the wings and make a small cut so the paper can fold back to reveal white wings. Make the cut just to the first corner. |
Step 9:
Peel back the paper to expose white wings. |
Step 10:
Make the head of the dragonfly: valley fold the tip of the model. |
Step 11:
Fold the entire model in half. |
Step 12:
At the head of the dragonfly, fold the two corners away from the body so the head is perpendicular to the body. Similarly, fold the the wings away from each other so they are also perpendicular to the body of the dragonfly. |
Top view. Notice how face is perpendicular to body and the wings are also perpendicular to body. |
Done! |
Watch this video for tips (it starts with a triangle, but otherwise, the folds are similar):