2D diagram

How to make a paper butterfly cutout

Paper Butterfly Cutout: try all 3 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

EasyAn Origami Tutor design3 steps15 × 15 cm · One square

Fold a square in half, cut one joined outline through both layers, then open a symmetric butterfly with two large upper wings, two rounded lower wings and curved antennae.

You need: Thin paper, a pencil, a ruler and scissors.
Start: Begin with a 15 cm square of bright orange or yellow paper, colored side up. Keep an edge at the top.

Finish

Your model is ready

Smooth the centre crease. Draw spots or stripes on the wings with colored pencils if you like. Hang the flat butterfly from a thread or glue it to a card. The finished paper butterfly, with its antennae at the top and both pairs of wings spread.

3D paper

Whole sequence Finish

This stepSpeed

3 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Step-by-step diagrams

1
Fold the square in half
Bring the left edge to the right edge. Match the corners and press the vertical fold. Keep the folded edge on the left.
2
Cut the butterfly outline
Start on the folded edge at the top of the head. Cut out along the antenna to its small knob and back down to the head. Then cut along the front edge of the large upper wing to its tip, back along its outer edge to the body, and round the smaller lower wing. Finish on the folded edge at the end of the body. Keep the half butterfly beside the fold and remove the surrounding paper.
3
Open the butterfly
Open the centre fold gently. The head, antennae, body and all four wings stay joined in one sheet.
✓
Finish
Smooth the centre crease. Draw spots or stripes on the wings with colored pencils if you like. Hang the flat butterfly from a thread or glue it to a card. The finished paper butterfly, with its antennae at the top and both pairs of wings spread.