Animals · Step-by-step guide
Layered Summer Butterfly
Shape a butterfly with broad layered wings and a narrow folded body.
What you’ll need
- One 15 × 15 cm paper square
- A folding tool, optional
Origami · Folding and shaping
Make it, step by step.
21 steps · Original diagrams with English instructions
Read each picture from left to right, then top to bottom.
Finished model
Open image at full size ↗Use this finished example to compare the shape and proportions of your model.
Finished model
Open image at full size ↗Use this finished example to compare the shape and proportions of your model.
Finished model
Open image at full size ↗Use this finished example to compare the shape and proportions of your model.
Prepare the rectangle
Open image at full size ↗Crease the square horizontally and vertically. Bring both side edges to the center.
Fold the rectangle in half upward.
Open the lower pockets
Open image at full size ↗Fold the two lower corners toward the center and unfold.
Open the left pocket and squash it flat along its creases.
Expose the wing layers
Open image at full size ↗Repeat the pocket fold on the other side. Fold the lower point upward and open it downward again.
Open the left layer toward the middle.
Flatten both sides
Open image at full size ↗Squash the opened layer flat. Open and flatten the right side in the same way.
Open the lower-left pocket and squash it along its diagonal crease.
Shape the lower wings
Open image at full size ↗Flatten the lower-left section. Lift the small corner and fold it behind carefully without tearing the paper.
Repeat the same sequence on the right.
Raise the upper wings
Open image at full size ↗Fold the right upper section down along the dotted line, then fold it upward along the next crease.
Repeat on the left to make matching wings.
Narrow the upper edges
Open image at full size ↗Turn the butterfly over. Fold the right upper edge inward along the dotted guide, then fold it inward again.
Repeat on the left and turn back to the front.
Precrease the wing tips
Open image at full size ↗Fold the small outer corner inward and unfold.
Refold along the crease while opening the layers slightly to tuck the corner inside.
Tuck both wing corners
Open image at full size ↗Push the small triangle between the layers. Fold the indicated side section behind along its guide.
Repeat these shaping folds on the opposite wing.
Form the body
Open image at full size ↗Fold the lower sections outward along their guides and turn the butterfly over.
Fold both inner edges toward the middle, then fold the whole butterfly along its central body crease.
Lift the wings
Open image at full size ↗Spread the wings and pinch a light fold near each wing base to give the butterfly depth.
Finished model
Open image at full size ↗Use this finished example to compare the shape and proportions of your model.
Finished model
Open image at full size ↗Use this finished example to compare the shape and proportions of your model.
Follow the diagrams alongside the step-by-step English instructions.
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