How to Make an Easy Origami Rose

Updated on 11/01/20

Project Overview

Skill Level: Kid-friendly

Although origami roses are among the most popular paper-folding projects, many rose designs are far beyond a beginner's capabilities. The Kawasaki rose, for example, has 29 steps and includes both inside and outside reverse folds. It's a beautiful design but incredibly intimidating if you're just learning the basics of the art of paper folding.

If you're looking for a simple origami rose, this design fits the bill. It's a modification of a traditional model based on the origami blintz base form.

Illustration of hands folding origami rose — The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi

The easy origami rose in this project is simple enough for a child to fold, although most children will have better luck folding from a larger square of construction paper. Tiny folds require an attention to detail that can be frustrating for little hands.

Select the Paper

origami rose supplies — Creedence Gerlach

The project uses colored notepaper squares that are the same color on both sides. The squares should measure approximately 3 1/4 inches, which creates flowers that are about 1 1/2 inches wide. Adjust the size of the paper as you wish to change the size of the flowers.

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Watch Now: How to Make an Easy Origami Rose

Tip

If you want to make a two-tone rose, try carefully brushing the folded flower with a bit of watercolor paint. A white paper rose with flecks of red is especially pretty.

Equipment / Tools

Small dowel or rod to curl paper

Materials

1 Square of red notepaper
1 Square of green notepaper

Fold a Blintz Base

Creedence Gerlach

Fold your paper in half horizontally.

Creedence Gerlach
Unfold, then fold the paper in half vertically. Unfold once more. Make sure to press hard on the crease lines so they're easy to see once the paper has been unfolded.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Fold each corner into the middle crease to make what is known in origami as a blintz base.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Form a Double Blintz

Creedence Gerlach

Fold each corner into the middle crease again. In origami craft, this shape is known as a double blintz.

Creedence Gerlach
Form a Triple Blintz

Creedence Gerlach

Fold each corner into the middle crease for a third and final time. This shape is known as a triple blintz.

Creedence Gerlach

Tip

If you're working with small paper, these folds may be somewhat difficult to make. If necessary, press down over the folds with your fingernail to create precise creases.
Make the Petals

Creedence Gerlach

Carefully curl back the layers of the paper to form petals for your rose. Here, a soft crease creates the most natural-looking flower, so in this one case, don't press down too hard on the fold.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Begin Folding the Leaves

Creedence Gerlach

To make leaves for your origami rose, you'll need a square of green paper that is the same size as the red paper you used for the rose petals.

Creedence Gerlach
Make a kite base by folding the paper in half along one of the diagonals.

Creedence Gerlach
Unfold, then fold the two opposite corners into the middle.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Fold the widest points in once more to make the diamond shape shown in the photo.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Finish Folding the Leaves

Creedence Gerlach

Fold your diamond shape in half along the middle crease.

Creedence Gerlach
Make squash folds on the left and right sides, as shown in the photo.

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach

Creedence Gerlach
Complete Your Origami Rose

Creedence Gerlach

Flip the green paper over, then glue the red rose to the middle of the triangle so it looks like the two points are leaves for the flower.

This design makes a lovely accent for a greeting card or scrapbook page. You could also add a magnet to display on your refrigerator or frame a collection of folded roses to make pretty wall art for your home.

Fun Fact

As of September 1, 2018, Abnora Fejza Idrizi of Skenderaj, Kosovo, holds the Guinness world record for creating the largest origami flower. It measures 28 feet, 6 inches in diameter.