How to make an origami tulip
Origami Tulip: try all 17 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
The common inflatable paper tulip blossom, folded from a waterbomb base and locked on both sides.
- You need
- One square of paper. No cuts or glue.
- Start
- Start colored side up, with an edge at the top.
- Tips
- Keep the two side folds level when joining their pockets.
- If the blossom will not puff out, pinch the petal end lightly while you blow.
Your model is ready
The blossom is locked. Blow gently into the small hole at the top point to puff it out, then peel the four outer petals down a little. The tulip blossom, with its petals at the top.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Crease a diagonal
Fold the bottom left corner behind to the top right corner, press, and open.
- 2
Crease the other diagonal
Fold the bottom right corner behind to the top left corner, press, and open.
- 3
Crease across the middle
Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge, press, and open.
- 4
Make the waterbomb base
Push the side middles inward. Bring the top edge down to the bottom edge and press into a triangle.
- 5
Raise the left corner (front)
Fold the front left corner up to the top point. Leave the rear corner where it is.
- 6
Raise the right corner (front)
Fold the front right corner up to meet it.
Steps 7–12
- 7
Turn over
Turn the triangle over, keeping its long edge at the bottom.
- 8
Raise the left corner (back)
Fold the front left corner up to the top point. Leave the rear corner where it is.
- 9
Raise the right corner (back)
Fold the front right corner up to meet it.
- 10
Turn a leaf across
Turn the front right leaf to the left along the middle crease, exposing a smooth face.
- 11
Turn over
Turn the diamond over to the other split face.
- 12
Turn a leaf across
Turn the front right leaf to the left along the middle crease, exposing a smooth face.
Steps 13–17
- 13
Fold the left side across
Fold the smooth front left side slightly past the middle. Its fold makes the pocket for the other side.
- 14
Lock the right side
Fold the smooth front right side across the same way and slide its edge into the pocket under the left side.
- 15
Turn over
Turn the model over, keeping the open end at the bottom.
- 16
Fold the left side across behind
Fold the smooth left side on this face slightly past the middle, as on the front.
- 17
Lock the right side behind
Fold the right side across and slide its edge into the pocket under the left side, as on the front.
- ✓
Finish
The blossom is locked. Blow gently into the small hole at the top point to puff it out, then peel the four outer petals down a little. The tulip blossom, with its petals at the top.
Fold next
Lily / iris ↗
The traditional four-petal lily, also called an iris, folded from a square with a tapered flower cup.
Lotus ↗
A multi-tiered Origami Tutor origami lotus with two rounds of front blintz folds, a rear blintz, folded outer sepals, and four raised center petals.
Layered rose ↗
An Origami Tutor modular rose: four red squares, each with its corners raised as petals, nest inside one another, turned so every ring of petals stands between the petals of the ring outside it. The steepest, smallest square closes into the bud, and a pointed green strip makes two leaves underneath.
Tulip stem ↗
A flat Origami Tutor flower stem with a long pointed leaf branching upward from its base. Six ordinary folds turn one green square into a stalk and leaf. No cuts or glue.