Although origami roses are amongst the most popular paper folding projects, many of the roses are far beyond a beginner's capabilities. The Kawasaki rose, for example, has 29 steps and includes both inside and outside reverse folds. It's a beautiful design, but very intimidating if you're just learning the basics of the art of paper folding.
If you're looking for a simple origami rose, this design fits the bill. It's a modification of a traditional model based on the origami... blintz base form.
The easy origami rose in this tutorial is simple enough for a child to fold, but most children will have better luck folding from a larger square of construction paper. Tiny folds require an attention to detail that can be frustrating for little paper folders.
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Select Your Paper For the Origami Rose
The project uses colored notepaper squares that are the same color on both sides. The squares measure approximately 3 1/4 inches and create a flower that is about 1 1/2 inches wide. Adjust the size of the paper as needed to get the size of flower you desire.
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Fold a Blintz Base
Fold your paper in half horizontally. Unfold, then fold the paper in half vertically. Unfold once more. Fold each corner into the middle crease to make what is known as a blintz base in origami.
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Fold each corner into the middle crease again.
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Fold each corner into the middle crease for a third and final time. If you're working with small paper, these folds may be somewhat difficult to make. Go over them with your fingernail to create an even crease if needed.Continue to 5 of 8 below.
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Make the Petals of Your Origami Rose
Carefully curl back the layers of the paper to form petals for your rose. A soft crease creates the most natural looking flower.
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Start Folding the Leaves
To make leaves for your origami rose, you'll need a square of green paper that is the same size as the red paper you used for your rose. Make a kite base by folding in half along one of the diagonals, unfolding, and folding two opposite corners into the middle.
Fold the widest points in once more to make the diamond shape shown in the photo to the left.
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Finish Folding the Leaves
Fold your diamond shape in half along the middle crease. Make squash folds on the left and right sides as shown in the photo to the left.
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Complete Your Origami Rose
Flip your green paper over. Glue the red rose to the triangle in the middle so it looks like the two points of your shape are leaves for the flower.
This design makes a lovely accent for a greeting card or scrapbook page. You could also add a magnet to display on your refrigerator or frame a collection of folded roses to make pretty wall art for your home.
If you want to make a two tone rose, try carefully brushing the folded flower with a bit of watercolor paint. A white paper rose with flecks of... red is especially pretty.