Fold a Paper Crane

We hope that despite all the challenges that came with this year, this paper crane will remind you of the same peace, hope, and healing our clients experience thanks to Centerstone’s life-changing care.

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1. Start with a square of origami paper, patterned on one side.
2. With the patterned side facing up, fold the paper diagonally into a triangle. Crease and unfold.
3. Fold diagonally in the opposite direction. Crease and unfold.
4. Flip paper over, so the patterned side is down.
5. Fold in half vertically to form a rectangle. Crease and unfold.
6. Fold in half horizontally and crease.
7. Unfold but don’t flatten the square.
8. Bring all four corners of the paper together, folding one at a time, until you have a flat square. There will be one open end and two flaps on the left and right.
9. Lift the top flap on the right side, and fold toward the center (as the arrow indicates). Crease along dotted line A–C. Then repeat with top flap on left side, creasing along dotted line A–B.
10. Fold the top point (D) down along dotted line B–D and crease.
11. Unfold the three folds you just made. Lift the top layer of paper at point A, and fold it back, creasing on the inside along dotted line B–C.
12. Press down on points B and C, smoothing the paper into a flat triangle. Flip the paper over and repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 on this side.
13. Taper the bottom (the legs) of the diamond by folding the top layer of each to meet the center, along dotted lines A–E and A–F. Flip the paper over and repeat tapering folds.
14. Lift the upper flap only at point F, and fold over in the direction of the arrow, as if turning the page of a book. Flip the paper over, and repeat this “book” fold.
15. Lift the upper layer of the point at the bottom (point A) and fold it back so it meets with the top points, creasing along dotted line G–H. Flip paper over and repeat this step on the other side.
16. Lift the top flap on the right side at point f, and fold over as if turning the page of a book. Flip paper over and repeat.
17. You will see two points, A and B, beneath the top flap. Holding the bottom, pull each one outward, as shown, and then press down at points X and Y to secure them in place.
18. Fold the end of one point downward to form the crane’s head; reverse the crease in the head and pinch to form the beak. The other point will be the crane’s tail.
19. Finish by pulling the wings outward and gently blowing into the opening underneath the crane to fill out the body.