Introduction

This tutorial walks you through folding a dragonfrom a single square sheet of paper. Follow each step in order, take your time with the creases, and you'll have a finished dragon in about 10-15 min.

Step by Step

1. 

   1

   Step 1

   Start with the white side of the paper facing up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold both diagonals. Then, turn the paper over.

2. 

   2

   Step 2

   Fold the top corner down to meet the center point. Lightly pinch at the intersection of the centerline, then unfold..

3. 

   3

   Step 3

   Make a pleat by folding the horizontal diagonal to meet the pinch mark from Step 2.

4. 

   4

   Step 4

   Turn the model over.

5. 

   5

   Step 5

   Fold the top left edge to the centerline, then unfold.

6. 

   6

   Step 6

   Fold along the crease from Step 5, bringing the top section downward. Stop when you reach the pinch mark from Step 2, and firmly crease just the middle layer down to the horizontal line.

7. 

   7

   Step 7

   Unfold Step 6.

8. 

   8

   Step 8

   Repeat Steps 5 to 7 on the right side.

9. 

   9

   Step 9

   Fold the bottom left edge to the centerline. Crease only from the center horizontal line to the bottom corner, then unfold. Repeat on the right side.

10. 

    10

    Step 10

    Align the bottom left edge with the top left edge. Crease from the intersection of the folds made in Steps 5 and 9 to the left corner, then unfold. Repeat on the right side.

11. 

    11

    Step 11

    Collapse the left side inward along the creases from Steps 5, 9, and 10.

12. 

    12

    Step 12

    Repeat Step 11 on the right side. This forms the dragon’s wings.

13. 

    13

    Step 13

    Turn the model over.

14. 

    14

    Step 14

    Fold the top corner down to meet the nearest horizontal crease.

15. 

    15

    Step 15

    Fold the flap created in Step 14 in half.

16. 

    16

    Step 16

    Turn the model over.

17. 

    17

    Step 17

    Collapse the top section of the model using the creases from Steps 6 and 8 as guides, leaving the flap raised.

18. 

    18

    Step 18

    Fold the right side of the model backward along the central crease.

19. 

    19

    Step 19

    Rotate the model 90° counterclockwise.

20. 

    20

    Step 20

    Slightly open the lower layers and reverse fold the flap under the neck along the dotted lines.

21. 

    21

    Step 21

    Push the flap from Step 20 upward and fold along the dotted lines so its outer edge aligns with the top edges.

22. 

    22

    Step 22

    Fold the wing from right to left. Repeat on the other side.

23. 

    23

    Step 23

    Fold the dragon’s tail down along the dotted line, creasing from where the wings and tail intersect to the bottom edge at a 90° angle. Crease well and unfold.

24. 

    24

    Step 24

    Open the tail’s layers at the bottom. Using the creases made in Step 23, Crimp fold the tail over the wing on both sides. The two reference points should meet. Then, rotate 25° counterclockwise.

25. 

    25

    Step 25

    Fold the wing from left to right. Repeat on the back side.

26. 

    26

    Step 26

    Fold and unfold the wing down along the dotted line.

27. 

    27

    Step 27

    Fold and unfold the top edge of the wing to meet the crease from Step 26.

28. 

    28

    Step 28

    Fold and unfold the top edge of the wing to meet the crease from Step 27.

29. 

    29

    Step 29

    Repeat Steps 26 to 28 on the other wing.

30. 

    30

    Step 30

    Pull the dragon’s head up and fold along the dotted line.

31. 

    31

    Step 31

    Pull the snout horn up and fold along the dotted line.

32. 

    32

    Step 32

    Fold the right corner of the tail to the point where the tail and wing intersect at the bottom edge. Slightly unfold so the tail points forward.

Finished Model

Congratulations!You've completed this tutorial.