My First Instructable! 3D Origami Swan

When I first got into learning origami, a funny little question struck me: Why do we associate origami with cranes?? After being under great inquisitiveness, I came to know that the crane has always been a strong symbol of success and good fortune in Japanese culture, and when folded into origami, it is believed that the heart's desire will come true. (For knowing more about it, CLICK HERE.) So I decided to choose the crane for my very first instructable.

While surfing through the network, knowing about origami, I have known that these little cranes have ruled over the internet! So I thought recreating the 2D form of a crane to its 3D Version. I've made it using white sheets (coz cranes are white), but you can use coloured sheets to make the model look more adorable.

So let's get started.

The list of materials you'll require to make this 3D Crane

1. 25 Sheets of paper (I've used white sheets. You can find colour sheets for oneself.)
2. Stationary Knife
3. Ruler

And the most important, patience. (You'll come to know in the first step.)

3D Origami is also called Golden venture folding where the origami is created using multiple triangular units which are joined to form a continuous design. Each triangle is made from a rectangular sheet of paper. Using such pieces, you can make any 3D Origami design. So once you use it, you can reuse it to make another model. So all you have to do is to take a A4 sheet of paper. Fold it. Again fold the end parts with respect to the middle line. (See the images.) Do the same thing horizontally so as to get 16 boxes. Using a stationary knife and a ruler, cut those 16 boxes to get 16 independent rectangular boxes.

Take the smaller rectangle piece, fold it vertically in accordance to the opposite edges and vertices. (see the images.) Again, fold it horizontally to get a middle line. Now make a house out of it i.e. fold the two corners to the center. Flip the piece so formed. Now fold the edges to form a triangle and fold it inwards.(It seems confusing, but it isn't. Just follow the images.) At the end, join the two ends to make a triangle.

I said earlier that this step requires great patience. You've to make total 399 such pieces!

To exaggerate, this is a very crucial step. In words, it would be difficult to explain. As cited by Sir Albert Einstein, 'One picture is worth a thousand words' Perhaps for this step, there are 28 pictures, so (calculating...) there are 28000 words. That's so huge!

Anyways, if you pause at any step, feel free to question/ask me.

Quick crisp of the steps:

1. Take 2 pieces.
2. Attach them in a way that one is inverted.(See the image)
3. Make 19 more pieces.
4. Attach all those pieces.
5. Finally attach the final piece so as to join the two ends and make a circular structure.
6. Invert the structure and add 3 rows of triangular pieces.
7. Now, add 4 pieces, leave 2 pieces and again add 4 more pieces.
8. Follow the images to continue the pattern.
9. After you add 10 rows, start decreasing the piece until you get 1 piece.
10. Construct the same wing on the other side.

Here, we are making the feathers which are somewhat like the ornaments (or feathers/tails) of the crane. These structures will be attached at the back of the crane.

Quick crisp of the steps:

1. Take 10 / 7 triangular pieces.
2. Connect them in a row.
3. Add 2 more pieces on the head of the row formed.
4. Again, add three more pieces. (see the image)
5. Continue adding 2 more such rows.
6. Again, start decreasing until you reach one piece. This step is very bewildering. Look at the images carefully.

You have to make 2 such feathers having 10 pieces in a row. Make another 2 feathers having 7 pieces in a row. The upper design will remain the same.

"Friends?

Do you wanna build a neck for

my own little crane

Come on let's go and make

to complete the structure made

It's gonna be a real fun,

which no one, ever, denies..."

We're gonna make a neck. It's super-easy.

Take 2 triangular pieces. Join them with a third piece. Observe the image and start adding 10 more layers. Later, add the final piece symbolizing mouth. That's all!

We've made all the necessary components essential to make the crane. Now, it's time to assemble them. The neck must be attached between the two wings where there are 4 legs. While the feathers have their home on the opposite side of the neck. The placement of the wings is:

| Wing-left | Leave two legs | Feather with 7 pieces in a row | Leave two legs | Feather with 10 pieces in a row | Leave two legs | Feather with 10 pieces in a row | Leave two legs | Feather with 7 pieces in a row | Leave four legs | Wing - right |

Ta-Da! The crane is now set to take you to the path of success and good fortune.

If you've got new idea or some modification to make it look more captivating, do share to enhance our creative aspects! See you in the next instructable - Ciao!