Origami turtle

1. 

   Step 01

   Crease the centerline

   Start with the white side of the paper facing up. Fold the paper in half vertically, then unfold to create a centerline.

   You should seeA flat square with a single vertical crease down the middle.

2. 

   Step 02

   Turn the paper over

   Turn the paper over.

   You should seeThe same square with the coloured side facing you and the centerline still visible.

3. 

   Step 03

   Fold the bottom corners in

   Fold the bottom left and right corners to the centerline.

   You should seeA coloured square with a pointed bottom, like a house turned upside down.

4. 

   Step 04

   Turn the paper over

   Turn the paper over.

   You should seeA coloured band across the top, a white square below it and a point at the bottom.

5. 

   Step 05

   Fold the bottom edges up

   On each side, fold the bottom edge to the centerline, only through the top layer. The bottom layer will move to the front.

   You should seeTwo narrow flaps meeting at the centerline, with the layers underneath swung forward.

6. 

   Step 06

   Rotate the paper 180°

   Rotate the paper 180°.

   You should seeThe same shape upside down, with the wide part now at the top.

7. 

   Step 07

   Fold the bottom left corner in

   Fold the bottom left corner to the centerline. Make sure the circled points meet.

   You should seeA slim triangle on the left, with the two marked points sitting exactly on top of each other.

8. 

   Step 08

   Fold the top flap down

   Fold the top flap down along the dashed line.

   You should seeThe left side finished as a pointed leg with the flap lying flat.

9. 

   Step 09

   Repeat on the right

   Repeat steps 7 and 8 on the right side.

   You should seeTwo matching legs at the bottom, mirrored across the centerline.

10. 

    Step 10

    Fold the white square in half

    Fold the white square area in half from top to bottom along the horizontal diagonal.

    You should seeThe white area halved, bringing its top point down onto the middle of the model.

11. 

    Step 11

    Fold the flap back up

    Fold the flap you just folded up. Use the circled points as a guide. The top flap should meet the two points where the lower layers meet.

    You should seeA triangular flap standing above the body, its edge landing on the two marked points.

12. 

    

    Step 12

    Crease the bottom right edge

    Fold the bottom right edge to meet the top edge. Crease well, then unfold.

    You should seeA diagonal crease across the right corner, with the paper flat again.

13. 

    Step 13

    Make a swivel fold

    Make a swivel fold as shown. Lift the top layer, fold along the crease from step 12, adjust the layers, then flatten.

    You should seeThe right corner swivelled inward, with the layers lying flat around the new crease.

14. 

    Step 14

    Repeat on the left

    Repeat steps 12 and 13 on the left side.

    You should seeBoth corners swivelled symmetrically, narrowing the top of the model.

15. 

    Step 15

    Pleat fold the tail

    Pleat fold the bottom corner to form the turtle's tail.

    You should seeA short tail folded back and forth at the bottom point.

16. 

    Step 16

    Turn the model over

    Turn the model over.

    You should seeThe turtle from above: a wide shell, four legs and a small head.

17. 

    Step 17

    Round the shell

    Mountain fold the shell's left and right corners to round the shell. There are no exact reference points, so adjust the angles to your liking. Try to fold both sides symmetrically.

    You should seeA shell with softened corners instead of sharp points, even on both sides.

18. 

    Step 18

    Shorten the tail

    Pleat fold the tail to shorten it and lock the bottom layers.

    You should seeA short tail and a back edge that stays closed when you handle the model.

19. 

    Step 19

    Narrow the legs

    Narrow the legs to add shape and volume.

    You should seeFour slimmer legs around a rounded shell — your finished turtle.

Step 1 of 19: Crease the centerline