How to fold a paper butterfly in 8 simple steps

Paper butterflies are such delicate, delicate things – let me tell you. They require the utmost attention to detail and precision when making them, or you risk ripping the paper when folding. Even worse, they might fly out of your hands if you skip over just one important step in their metamorphosis… or they might not fly at all! You could always start over – don’t get me wrong– but it’s quite a waste of paper at the end of the day.

Materials:

Speaking of paper, make sure you have the right measurements. A square piece of paper less than 15 x 15cm is ideal, like the ones conveniently laying around on your kitchen table in a stack (the ones you use to write your grocery lists, therapy appointments and phone numbers on). 

If you’re out of luck, you can turn the crumpled receipt ( 1 x butter croissant, 1 x lemon iced tea for a total of 7.78) from your pocket into a butterfly by folding a diagonal and cutting off the excess for the needed square.  Never cut more than what you can’t see, or else you’ll lose the essential.

The butterfly does not mind what it is made out of as long as it functions the same.

1. Fold the paper in half, both horizontally and vertically.

Symmetry is important when folding both ways. All things must end the same way they begin, otherwise it’s unsatisfactory for both the butterfly and its maker. 

2. Unfold and turn over, now fold it again diagonally.

It’s hard for me to unfold myself from you on either axis but it’s necessary for this step. The diagonals are trickier to fold, so my tip for you is to make sure the opposite corners are flush with each other when you press down on the paper.

You know you’ve done it properly when the diagonal creases intersect on the paper just once, in the center. (the same way our paths have crossed eachother)

3. Fold the paper in the waterbomb base

To achieve the waterbomb base, you push the sides of the paper so that they’re tucked inside a triangle shape. If pushing things to the side or tucking things away, deep inside your mind are somehow your specialty, then the waterbomb base will come as a breeze to you.  

Oh… it doesn’t? I’m sorry to hear that.

It’s harder to describe the motions of these steps and the creases of the paper without a proper diagram. Usually these origami tutorials have pictures attached to them–of what shape the paper is supposed to take after each permutation– but I’m afraid I can no longer show you how it’s done. You should have known by now.

4. Fold the upper layer only

There is now a triangle in front of you, and it is deceptively simple for how complex it looks or claims to be. Take the two corners of its base and fold them to the apex of it. 

....No, not that layer, I said the upper layer only. No, yes... you heard me right. But the triangle of the waterbomb base has  TWO layers, I’ve specified which layer should be folded first–yes, yes. That’s it. 

Well… not quite! but it’s almost good enough. Now take the little flap on the left and bring it UP  to the top of the triangle. Yes, good! Now do the right side of it next. Perfect. Good job! 

 The upper layer should be a diamond shape (made out of the two folded triangles), with the second layer remaining untouched. The second layer always remains untouched.

5. Turn the paper over

In what Universe is it so hard for you to turn this damn paper over? Have I not made myself clear enough? There’s no other way for you to turn this paper other than OVER. It couldn’t be MORE OBVIOUS. Christ.

Are you doing this on purpose!? Tell me, do you REALLY want to make this paper butterfly or not? Because you can’t claim you want to learn how to make this right if you can’t just. Turn. The. Paper. Over.  

....Alright, I recognize that was too harsh and I deeply apologise for the outburst. Let’s start over from the top. 

Yes, you fold it both horizontally and vertically. Good, now turn it over –see how easy it was to turn the paper over the first time? (Why can’t you do it again?)–  Yes, now you fold it diagonally. Perfect, now.. do you remember the waterbomb base I’ve mentioned before? You do? Okay, bring it to that form and fold the upper layer only. Mhm. With the corners overlapping into a diamond shape. Yes, yes just like that.

Now you flip the paper over. You can do this.

6. Fold the corner past the edge.

 You should now be seeing the back of the triangle (it is upside-down this time. In case you couldn’t figure it out). Fold the bottom corner past the opposite edge, it should peek a little bit from behind the paper. That is going to be the head of the butterfly...hopefully.

Going past the edge isn’t indicated in any other cases, but the exception lies in how this butterfly is constructed. You have to drive it past the edge or else it will never see with its own eyes, it will never fly properly otherwise.

I’m so proud of you for following through with such attention and intent, by the time you’ve reached this far along the instructions I’ve already made 5 more butterflies, one for each step taken. 

It’s not your fault that my hands move so fast, fingers shaping and creasing each little square of paper on your kitchen table in-between smoke breaks. I tend to get lost in the motions so often that I didn't notice we’re almost done with the butterfly.

Maybe we should take a break, linger on the couch (both horizontally and vertically, just the way I like it)  for a little while. Let me focus on the creases of your smile instead of on the symmetry lines of the paper in the kitchen. What color was I supposed to make the butterfly out of this time? Was it blue or green? How much paper is there left for me? How much time left is there for you?  

Oh no, it’s getting late. I have to wrap this up quickly or it’ll never take flight.

7. Turn the paper over again and fold the excess corner.

........

You should have learnt how to do this by now. 

Come on, I’ve told you before how to turn the paper over. It’s quite fucking simple really.

...No, not like that. Oh my fucking God. No! not like that!  Never like that. This is a disaster. Never touch a piece of paper like that ever.

I’m starting to think you’re not taking this as seriously as I thought.... I’m really disappointed in you. The butterfly will never get to see, and it’s all your fault.

No, give me just a moment. I jumped to conclusions way too quickly. Yes, yes you did in fact turn it over. No, the fold wasn’t right but let’s focus on the fact that you’ve at least turned it over. 

It’s.......fine. No, really. You’re doing your best and I understand. You’ve never done this before so it’s hard to figure out which way you’re supposed to turn it over (even though I’ve told you again and again and again..) .

8. Fold along the center line.

Once you fold the butterfly along its axis (similar to how you’d fold a paper plane, if the comparison helps. I doubt it will) it should be ready to take flight.

Except.... It can’t. It has been folded and refolded too many times to keep its shape when flying. (And oh, what a shame it is that it cannot fly.)

I’m sorry. I’m really sorry I couldn’t explain the instructions better. If you had seen me do the butterflies that lay to rest on the shelves of your living room and the ones dancing in your hair maybe you could’ve had better hindsight-

No, no, no! I’m sorry for the way I’ve written these instructions –way too pointed, too convoluted, too passive-aggressive. I’m sure they wouldn’t have fallen upon deaf ears if I were kinder and more understanding to you and-

No. That came out wrong. It always comes out wrong. Let’s try again-

Except......We can’t. The butterfly has been folded and refolded too many times and I’m afraid we’ve run out of time for this lesson. 

Don’t get me wrong, you could always start over, but the futility of the butterfly urges you to try again with a different piece of paper. After all...

The butterfly does not mind what it is made out of as long as it functions the same.

Larry Reverie, 23, Bucharest, Romania.