How To Make An Origami Sailboat

If you were inspired by origami expert Tony O'Hare in Kirstie’s Handmade Britain, why not have a go at this simple origami sailboat, made to a traditional design?

If you're looking for more of a challenge, instructions for the origami PC featured in the show and many other origami models are available to download for free from Tony O’Hare's Smiley Origami website.

By Tony O'Hare

A square piece of paper – preferably white one side, coloured the other side. That’s it!

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Skill

Easy

Budget

You can use any type of scrap paper for origami, so in theory you don't have to spend any money at all. But if you've never done it before, origami kits are available in craft shops or online to make things easier. The most basic kits include single and double sided coloured paper, pre-cut into 15cm squares, at around £3 for 100 squares.

Time

A few minutes... but be careful - you could become addicted!

Step One:

Starting with the white side of the paper upwards, fold the top left and bottom right corners into the centre.

Step Two:

Fold the whole thing in half, horizontally

Step Three:

Fold the bottom left corner up to the middle

Step Four:

Turn it over and do the same on the other side

Step Five:

Open the central pocket and press the sides together, which will create a diamond shape

Step Six:

Fold the right 'sail' down all the way...

Step Seven:

...and fold it back up part of the way to make a smaller sail

Step Eight:

Tuck the small sail inside the boat. Fold the base behind to make a stand.

Finished!

Your boat is ready to set sail.

If you find you enjoy origami, how about joining a local group or society, such as the British Origami Society?

Some models use more than one sheet of paper, and some use cutting or gluing, but basically the principle is the same - and the subject matter and styles of origami are literally endless. Flapping birds, jumping frogs, boats, hats, boxes, flowers, Christmas decorations and of course paper planes are just some of the thousands of things you can make with origami.

Last, but by no means least - enjoy your origami! As I say on my website, www.smiley-origami.me.uk, 'keep folding, keep smiling'.

Artwork by Nick Robinson: www.origami.me.uk

Kirstie's Handmade Britain

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