Learn two commonly used paper engineering mechanisms to make a fun paper pop-up creature!
Do you like pop-ups? Interested in how they work? You're in the right place!
I am a professional paper engineer (those are just fancy words for "pop-up designer"), and I work in Robert Sabuda's studio (http://www.robertsabuda.com), where we design children's pop-up books (among other things). We love teaching people how to make pop-ups of their own! For more templates and instructions about making pop-ups, check out the Make Your Own Pop-Ups section on Robert's website.
You will need a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 inch 110 lb card stock or other heavy paper, some scissors, a marker or pencil, and decorating materials.
Take a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 card stock and fold it in half.
Cut along the line with scissors.
Fold the point towards you and crease it well.
Fold it backwards along the same fold and crease well.
Fold the very tip of the point forwards and backwards.
Open the card and push the main point forward as you close the card.
This is called a V-fold, because the folds are at an angle from the middle fold of the card.
The card should look like this when it's closed.
Open the card slightly and push the creased tip downwards and inwards. You now have a big v-fold with a little v-fold on top.
Close the card and draw two short parallel lines, about 3/4 inches long, in the middle of the folded edge.
Cut along the lines with scissors, through all four layers of the card.
Fold the tab backwards and forwards at the ends of the cuts. Make sure the new fold is parallel to the v-fold's edge.
Repeat on the other tab on the opposite side of the card.
Open the card and push the tab on the right side inwards as you re-close the card.
You now have layer folds coming off of your main v-fold - eyes for your creature!
Your monster is now ready to decorate in any way you choose!