2D diagram

How to make an intricate paper snowflake with a filigree pattern

Intricate Paper Snowflake Pattern: try all 14 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

AdvancedAn Origami Tutor design14 steps12 × 12 cm · One square

An Origami Tutor design: the finest six-point snowflake we teach. After the trim, five small cuts from the centre outward leave rings of triangles and diamonds inside a saw-toothed rim.

You need: Very thin paper, a pencil, a ruler, a 30°/60° set square or the printed angle guide, and small sharp scissors.
Start: Begin with a 12 × 12 cm square of very thin paper and a 30°/60° set square.

Finish

Your model is ready

Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.

3D paper

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

Step-by-step diagrams

Steps 1–5

1
Fold the square in half
Bring the bottom edge to the top edge. The midpoint of the folded edge is the snowflake centre; mark it lightly.
2
Fold the left third across
At the marked midpoint, use the 60° corner of a set square to mark a ray up and left. Fold the left side over that ray; its folded edge now points up and right.
3
Fold the right third across
Fold the right side over the matching 60° ray up and right. Line its folded edge up with the left sloping edge. All three sectors should match at the centre.
4
Halve the wedge
Bring the left sloping edge to the right sloping edge. Fold straight up from the centre to make a narrow 30° packet with twelve layers near its point.
5
Trim the uneven tips
Cut straight across the packet 48 mm above its centre. The two uneven ears fall away and every sector now ends in the same straight edge.

Steps 6–10

6
Cut the centre triangle
Cut a small triangle into the straight folded edge, between 6 and 14 mm from the centre.
7
Cut the long diamond
Cut a longer diamond into the straight folded edge, between 19 and 32 mm from the centre. Keep a band at least 3 mm wide on each side.
8
Cut the slot in the sloping edge
Cut a narrow diamond into the sloping folded edge, between 9 and 21 mm from the centre.
9
Cut the kite in the sloping edge
Cut a kite shape into the sloping folded edge, between 26 and 40 mm from the centre. Its point leans toward the centre.
10
Cut the saw-toothed rim
Start on the straight folded edge 41 mm above the centre. Cut three small sharp teeth across the top and end on the corner of the sloping edge.

Steps 11–14

11
Open wedge half
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
12
Open right third
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
13
Open left third
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
14
Open half
Open this crease gently, leaving the earlier folds closed. Keep the uncut joins together.
✓
Finish
Ease the creases flat. Lift the opened paper by an uncut edge to see the whole pattern. Hold the opened paper upright and flat, with the whole pattern.