Introduction: Origami is the art of folding paper into objects or shapes. Seeing the end result may make you think the task is impossible, or at the very least confusing on how one turns a plain sheet into a beautiful piece of paper art. However, if you take it slow, it should not just be possible, but easy after a few practices.
This guide should break down step by in simple terms how to make the ultimate paper hat! There are countless reasons someone might want to learn this. Making it as a thoughtful gift for someone, a party trick, an accessory to any outfit, try something new. Whatever the reason, in 9 simple steps and 3 minuets of your time. You will have mastered making the ultimate paper hat. Once you get good at that, you can take it a step further… More on that later!
Pictures are provided, they will help guide you on carrying out your fold. They also serve as reference to how your paper should look. The picture tells you how you are going to fold. Make sure to read the instructions all the way before attempting to gain a better understanding as well as looking at the next picture, this will help you visualize how it should look. Take it slow and good luck!
Required Supplies:
One sheet of paper, 8 1/2 X 11 inches (Standard size).
A hard, flat, sturdy working station.
A blunt object to crease the paper, this can be your thumb, a popsicle stick, or a pencil.
A good attitude
Steps:
1. Gather your materials. Make sure you have the proper paper for the job. Any standard printer or notebook paper will work. However, for the best results, thicker more dense paper will be easier to work with.
2. Clear off your working station. You want to ensure that you have enough room to move around freely, support the paper, and that the station is flat. You want to make sure that your folds will be smooth, ultimately resulting in a better paper hat.
3. Start with your paper laying horizontal or the “long way”. Fold the right side over to the left side and crease the fold. Take your time and try your best to make the folds as even as possible. Doing it right now lays the foundation for the later folds
4. Fold top to bottom. This fold is going to serve as a reference line for the next step. It is important that you try your best to line the crease up with the middle. The more centered the crease, the more obvious the crease line, the easier the next steps will be. After the crease is made, return the paper to the first fold. (beginning of 2)
5. Rotate the paper so the crease is at the top, and the open side is towards you. Take the upper left corner and fold it so the corer point meets the crease line made in step 4. The fold should go down about ¾ of the page. Feel free to reference picture 4 below before attempting to understand better.
6. Repeat the process of step 5, on the other side of the paper. The two folds will be referred to as the triangle. The goal is to make both of the folds symmetric with one another. Feel free to adjust the folds to make this happen. Also pay attention to where the two folds meet in the middle. While it may take a few tries, try and make sure the two folds are parallel with one another. You want to try and avoid overlap of the fold as well as a gap in the middle.
7. Fold one of the base flaps up. The fold should be slightly higher than half way of the rectangle base. Note that you are not going to fold it flush with the crease, this will make the fold too high. This fold should be light as you are most likely going to readjust it to be even with the flap on the other side.
8. Flip your hat over and fold the other side the same as the first. You are trying to make the two folds even as possible. This means it might require redoing the first fold to more or less match the second fold.
9. Once you have made adjustments to your hat, press down or trace over all folds to finalize your creation. Pop open your hat under the base. Now wear it with pride! You made the ultimate paper hat.
Origami is the art of taking a simple flat sheet of paper and turning it into something different and unique. Many things in life may seem too hard or daunting to even pick up and try. The problem is you are looking at the end product. Take what ever it is 12 steps back, and just like origami, you will be back at a simple beginning. Everything takes practice and failing at something is the first steps of being good at something. Most importantly, do not compare yourself to others. This is the ultimate paper hat and boat because you made it. No one can take that away from you, and you should be proud. 9/12 steps ago all you had was a simple sheet of paper.
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