Candy Wrapper Origami Butterflies

Colorful candy and gum wrappers metamorphose into lovely butterflies. This project uses commonly found rectangles, which quickly and easily develop into butterflies with a wide variety of proportions, angles, and designs. (Designed by Michael G. LaFosse)

Step 1

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Begin with the display side of the paper facing up. Fold in half, short edge to short edge.

Step 2

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Fold in half by bringing the two double edges together. Unfold.

Step 3

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Squash-fold.

Step 4

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Turn the model over.

Step 5

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Squash-fold.

Step 6

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Fold the bottom square corner up to the top of the split. Unfold.

Step 7

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Use the crease from the previous step as a hinge to squash-fold the left and right upper layers for the wings.

Step 8

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Mountain-fold the center of the paper to form a flap for the body. Rotate the flap over onto the right-side wing. Look ahead at the next diagram for the angle and the shape.

Step 9

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Fold the left-side wing over to cover the body and the right-side wing.

Step 10

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(1) Fold in the indicated edges of the underside of the body, forming a tapered shape. (2) Open the wings.

Step 11

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Flatten the top corner and fold it flat to the back, forming the head.

Step 12

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This project is excerpted with permission from "Trash Origami: 25 Paper Folding Projects Reusing Everyday Materials" by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander (Tuttle Publishing).