How to Fold an Origami Heart
Add a special touch to gifts “wrapped with the heart” with this simple papercraft from The Soul of Gift Wrapping.
These origami hearts bring back a memory of when my youngest daughter and I volunteered at an assisted-living and community center for seniors. For a special New Year’s meal that would include residents’ family and friends, we wrapped over 150 sets of chopsticks in crisp white pleats of paper and embellished them with origami hearts. The seniors joined us, and my daughter and I had the opportunity to listen to their life stories and share laughs while we all folded together. It was truly a “wrapping with the heart” scenario for everyone, both literally and figuratively.
WHAT YOU NEED
- Square sheet of paper (6″ × 6″ origami paper works well; the red heart above was made with 2.5″ x 2.5″ origami paper)
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Fold the paper into a triangle and unfold. Fold the opposite corners together to create another triangle and unfold. You should have an X in the center of the paper. With the paper oriented in a diamond shape, fold the top corner to the center line.
2. Fold the bottom corner to the top edge.
3. Bring the bottom edge up to the center line, folding at a diagonal. Repeat on the left side.
4. Turn the paper over. Fold down both top points to create the top edges of the heart. Turn the two side points inward.
Excerpted and adapted from The Soul of Gift Wrapping © by Megumi Inouye.
With a combination of inventive wrapping designs, inspiring personal essays, and step-by-step techniques, Megumi Inouye invites readers to transform the act of wrapping into a gratitude practice.
“If Marie Kondo inspired you to change the way you fold T-shirts, then artist Megumi Lorna Inouye’s guide to creating beautiful gift-wrapping is for you.”—BookPage, starred review
Drawing on the gift-giving traditions of her Japanese heritage, Inouye explores how the act of giving a thoughtfully wrapped gift can be a creative, caring act for both the giver and the receiver. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Inouye’s approach inspires readers to think intentionally about the presentation of every gift, whether it’s a tip for an unseen hotel housekeeper, a simple gift of fresh fruit for a neighbor, or a special birthday gift for a beloved family member. Detailed step-by-step photos teach Inouye’s artful approach to every aspect of wrapping—including tape-free folding, paper and fabric bows, clever message tags, and one-of-a-kind approaches for odd-shaped items—and guide readers in creating their own unique gift presentations.
Related Books
-
Collage Your Life
-
The Art of Papercraft
-
Mystical Stitches
-
The Sandalmaking Workshop
-
The Art of Tapestry Weaving
