Kirigami Tree

Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D  PDF Click here for Karen Thomas' Kirigami Tree Diagram

Materials:

sheet double-sided origami paper
sharp scissors
bone folder

Steps:

1. Start with a square of origami paper and lay it color side down on a flat surface. Fold diagonally on both sides; unfold and turn the paper over (figure A).

2. Fold paper in half lengthwise and unfold. Pop the folds out with your fingers and collapse into a preliminary or waterbomb base.

3. Fold top right layer over all the way to the left side; crease well and unfold.

4. Fold top right layer in half toward the center crease line and unfold.

5. Put your finger or a bone folder inside the flap and squash flat along the precreases (figure B).

6. Repeat steps 2-5 on all remaining flaps.

7. Make sure your tree has even layers on both sides; then cut three small horizontal slits through all layers on one side and repeat cutting the same way on the opposite side (figure C).

8. Cut off the bottom corner and two right sides to create a trunk shape.

9. Fold down the three slit layers on the uppermost flaps and continue folding the corners down on all layers of the tree.

10. Gather three layers at the tree top and keep to the left side. Cut a diagonal slit at an angle at about 1/2-inch below the tree top to about 1/8-inch from the edge (figure D).

11. Carefully open the star with your fingers or bone folder and balance the layers of the tree by spreading them evenly apart.