How to Make an Origami Napkin Lotus

By
Chrissy Pk
Chrissy Pk
Chrissy Pk
Chrissy Pushkin, also known as Chrissy Pk, is an origami and paper craft expert and writer with 15 years of experience. Chrissy founded the popular website and YouTube channel, Paper Kawaii, where she creates tutorials, templates, printable origami paper, and handmade crafts.
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Updated on 06/29/20
origami lotus napkin folding 00

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Yield: 1 lotus napkin
  • Skill Level: Beginner

These origami lotus flowers are a beautiful way to decorate a tablescape for a special occasion. Paper napkins provide an inexpensive option and add pops of color to your table spread.

You can use these lotus napkins as little bowls in which to serve food like buns, cupcakes, or anything that will fit inside the lotus. Places them in the center of each plate as a functional decoration. For an even more intricate design, make another lotus from a smaller napkin of a different color and pop it inside the larger one. Once you get the hang of the lotus, try making an origami rose napkin.

You can also teach your guests how to make these origami flowers as a fun activity. Using normal paper for these, rather than napkins, works fine. Just make sure the paper you start with is square.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • 1 square Napkin or piece of paper

Instructions

  1. First Folds

    1. Start with your napkin unfolded. Hopefully, you have some crisp central creases already, but if not, create a vertical crease and horizontal crease by folding the napkin in half each way and unfolding.
    2. Fold one of the corners to the middle, aligning it with the vertical crease—even if you cannot align it perfectly, just do your best.
    3. Fold the rest of the corners to the middle. Make sure that all the corners are sharp without blunt ends.
    4. Fold the corners to the middle for a second time; it's a good idea to do them two at a time to better align them.

    Neat Creases Count

    Make all of your folds as neat and crisp as possible. This will ensure your final flower is beautifully defined.

    Initial folds for the origami lotus flower
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

  2. Fold the Corners In

    1. Flatten (or press) the napkin at this point, making sure the corners are as sharp as possible and not blunt.
    2. Flip the napkin over to the other side.
    3. Fold a corner to the middle.
    4. Fold the rest of the corners to the middle, creasing well. Your napkin will not stay like this so it's okay to hold it in place.
    origami lotus napkin folding 02
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

  3. Make the Petals

    1. Fold in one of the corners a little (about a third of the way in).
    2. Fold the rest of the corners—try to make them all the same.
    3. While holding onto a newly folded corner, grab the layer of paper from the back and fold it to the front, over the top of the folded corner.
    4. Press down on the folded corner while you pull on the "petal."
    Folding the petals
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

  4. Separate the Petals

    1. Do the same with the other three corners as you did in Step 3.
    2. Next, flip the corners of the petals to face outwards.
    3. Now you can peel the last layer of petals from the back to the front.
    4. If there are some layers of paper that seem to be under the others, make sure you peel those last.
    Separate the petals
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

  5. Refine the Shape

    1. Straighten out the origami napkin lotus by pulling the petals to the position you like them the best.
    2. You can curl the petals back out a little, making a more open lotus, or leave them all wrapped forward and slightly inward, making it look and feel more like a bowl.
    Refining the shape of the origami lotus
    The Spruce / Chrissy Pk