PicklePress Origami Sampler

Here are selection of designs from the Picklepress Origami book series, specially
presented to you by the Origami Shop. Available in printed or PDF format, they
present a series of exciting and unusual designs, written and illustrated by Nick
Robinson, the author of over 100 origami books. Each includes an introductions
to folding and choosing paper, what to do next and a variety of creative tips for
adapting the designs.
The following books are currently available - a collection of Envelope models is
coming soon!
Origami With Love (hearts, love tokens)
Origami In Action (models that jump, flap, wriggle etc)
Origami At Sea (floating origami)
Origami In Flight (flying origami)
Origami In Wonderland (models inspired by Alice In Wonderland)
 Contents
Visual Index 3
Folding Tips 4
Folding Symbols 5
Pocket Heart 7
Jumping Frog 8
Nakamura Glider 9
Heart Card 1 10
Squawking Bird 11
Flexagon 14
Mad March Hare 17
Winged Heart 19
Little Nicky 22
Yacht 3 24
Grasshopper 26
Fish 27
Locked 29
The Teapot 30
Sallas Glider 33
3
 Folding Tips
Folding paper neatly and accurately isn’t always easy to newcomers to origami.
However, there’s no reason why you can’t progress in the subject, no matter how
little confidence you have. Here are a few simple tips.
• Fold slowly, it’s not a race. You will get much better results.
• Try to always fold the paper away from you rather than towards you.
• Set aside plenty of time to fold, avoid any distractions.
• Fold at a well-lit table and carefully follow the instructions in the book.
• Make firm creases, but only when the paper is correctly positioned.
• Make each model at least 3 times - it will improve every time.
• Folding in a small group is fun and will teach you a lot in a short time.
• Teaching a model will really help you understand the folding sequence.

Choosing paper
Origami usually requires paper that is perfectly square. There are lots of options for
“proper” origami paper (which can be bought cheaply on the internet), but you can
also choose from many other types of paper, especially if you want to fold a large
version of a model. The paper should be crisp and capable of “remembering” a crease
(so it doesn’t try to unfold itself ).

If you struggle!
Like any subject, some people find origami easier than others. You should try to be
patient and not move on to the advanced designs until you have completed the
simpler ones. Here are some other tips:
• Always look ahead to the next step, to see what you are aiming for.
• Always read the words as well as looking at the diagram.
• Make sure your paper matches the drawing at the start of each step.
• If you get stuck, leave the model for a while and come back to it.
• Folding with other people can really help you progress.
• Experimenting is a good thing - if you cannot follow the instructions, why not
use them to inspire you to create your own design - it doesn’t even have to be a
boat model!

4
 Folding Symbols

Valley fold Rotate 180 degrees

Fold and unfold Rotate 90 degrees

Mountain fold Fold to circled point

Turn over Fold on a hidden layer

Repeat arrow Open out

5
Outside reverse - the
paper is wrapped
around the outside. This
is usually precreased.
Outside reverse

Inside reverse - the

paper is folded inside
existing layers. This is
usually precreased.

Inside reverse

Double reverse - a point is

reversed inside, then part
of the same point is
reversed back out again. Double reverse

Fold equal distances - this

is usually a general guide , equal thirds
rather than one that
requires accuracy.
equal quarters

Squash - a black arrow-

head indicates you will
be applying pressure to
the paper somewhere.
Here the symbol is used
Squash
with a “squash fold”.

6
 Pocket Heart
by Francis Ow

1) Fold in half from corner to

corner, crease and unfold, in 3) Fold in half
both directions. upwards.

2) Fold upper and lower

corners to the centre.

4) Fold the top corner

down, crease and unfold.

5) Fold so the circled

6) Like this. points meet.
Turn over.

7) Fold a flap
to the right.

8) Fold a flap down. The

dotted lines show valley
folds on a hidden layer.

10) Shape the points

9) Fold the lower edges in, as you like. Turn over.
tucking them into pockets.

7
 A super simple design
that anyone can fold.
Best with thinner
paper.

2) Fold lower corners to the top.

1) Start white side up.

Fold in half upwards.

3) Make a pinch
at the centre.

4) Fold 3 corners
to the centre.
5) Fold out two legs.

7) Fold the flap in

half. Crease gently!
6) Fold the lower 8) Complete. Turn over.
edge upwards.

Squeeze the rear edge down,

then flick your finger
backwards. Practise!

8
 Nakamura Glider
A refined and elegant design,
named after its creator. Try
experimenting with the wings,
making them slightly larger.

1) Start with a rectangle,

coloured side up. Fold in half,
crease and unfold. Turn over.
2) Fold each half of the
lower edge to the vertical
centre crease.

3) Fold the lower corner

to the circled spot.

5) Fold down the 4) Fold each half of the

small triangle on top lower edge to the
6) Fold the left half behind. of the lower flaps. vertical centre.

7) Fold the lower

coloured edge on
the right to the
vertical edge on
the left. Repeat
underneath.
Hold by the fuselage, launch
8) Open both smartly forwards and slightly
wings to match upwards. Or throw directly up
the profile. into the air!

9
 Heart Card 1
by Nick Robinson

1) Fold in half from side to

side, crease and unfold.
2) Fold each side to the
centre, crease and unfold.

3) Fold in the lower corners.

4) Fold in the sides.

5) The result.
6) Fold up about Turn over.
7) Fold the top edge one third.
to the dotted line.

8) Fold over a tiny corner. 12) Reinforce the

central crease, leave at a
slight angle.

8-10

9) Fold a flap upwards,

squashing on the right. 11) Repeat steps 8-10
10) Tuck a small on the right.
flap behind a layer.

10
 Squawking Bird
by Paul Jackson

1) White side up, crease and

unfold both diagonals.

2) Fold both upper edges to

the vertical centre.

A wonderful model where

(unusually) the lower beak moves 3) The result. Turn
while the upper stays still. the paper over.

5) The result. Turn 4) Fold the upper

the paper over. corner to the lower
corner.

6) Fold up the inner

corner, folding the lower
edge in at the same
time.

9) Fold the longer edges of

8) This form is known as the triangular flap to the
7) Repeat the last the “Fish Base”. Fold a lower edge, crease to the
step on the left side. lower corner to the top. centre then unfold.

11
 14-15

17) Lift up and

flatten the point into
a square.
16) Repeat steps
14-15 on the
15) Fold the lower corner underside.
to the top corner.

14) Fold a single corner

at the top down to a
lower corner.

13) Repeat the last

step underneath.

12) Open the model

slightly to ease out a
single layer which
flattens downwards.

11) Fold the right rear flap

underneath, at the same
time form two points that
10) Repeat the last flatten to the right.
step on the lower half.

12
 17-18

18) Fold over a single

corner from right to left.
19) Repeat steps 17-18
on the underside.

20) Open out a flap from the

left and look from behind.

21) Make a valley fold as

you swing the hidden flap
to the rear.
22) Now fold the narrow flap
back where it came from.

23) Fold the flap back

to the left and look
from the right.

Hold at the circled flaps and

move your hands to make
the bird talk!

13
 Flexagon
by Nick Robinson

1) White side up, pinch a

half-way point.
2) Fold the lower edge to
the pinch, crease and
unfold.

3) Fold the upper edge to the

lower crease, then unfold.
This fascinating design Rotate 90 degrees.
rotates endlessly inwards.
Great for meditating to!

4) Fold in half, crease

5) Fold upper and lower and unfold.
edges to the centre.

6) Fold the right edge behind

on an existing crease.

7) Fold all layers between the

circled points, crease firmly,
then unfold. Rotate 180
degrees. 8) Repeat the last step.
9) Make a simlar crease,
then rotate 180 degrees.

14
 16) Fold the dotted crease 17) Open back to step 15.
in both directions to form
smooth “hinges”.

15) Form the paper into

3D using these creases.

14) The finished fold. Make

two more using different
colours.

13) Reinforce both of these

creases. They need to fold in
both directions.

12) Convert these

creases to valleys.

11) Make an existing crease

into a mountain, crease
10) Add another similar firmly and unfold. Open out a
crease. hidden flap.

15
18) Slide the left sheet inside the
right sheet, so the creases match.

19) Slide the third sheet inside the

second, so the creases match.

20) Fold the model into a ring,

tucking in as before.

21) Fold in half way

using these creases.

22) Fold the three upper

corners inside at the
same time.

The flexagon is complete.

Keep rotating inwards,
slowly at first, until the
23) Fold the lower
24) Fold the corners creases are reinforced.
corners in as in step 21.
inside as in step 22.

16
 Mad March Hare
by Nick Robinson

1) White upwards, fold in 2) Fold two

half, crease and unfold, in opposite corners
both directions. to the centre,
crease and unfold.

5) Like this. 4) Fold to

form a line.

3) Fold the upper corner down

and the lower corner up to the
(imaginary) dotted line.

6) Fold two flaps

to the centre
then turn over.

7) Crease two
diagonals.
8) Fold corners upwards.

17
 12) Open using
these creases to
shape the head.

11) Fold the

ears behind at
right angles.

10) Fold outer

flaps over, tucking
behind layers.

9) Fold the sides upwards

with these creases.

18
 Winged Heart
by Francis Ow

1) Fold in half from side to

side, crease and unfold, in
both directions. 2) Fold the upper edge to
the centre.
3) The result. Turn over.

5) Fold the lower edge 4) Fold corners to the

to the centre. horizontal crease, then unfold.
6) The result, turn over.

7) Unfold a layer.

8) Make these pre-creases.

9) More pre-creasing.
10) And more!

19
 18) Fold the strip in half,
then open to step 17.

17) Fold the lower

section in half.

16) Four small folds to

shape the heart.

15) Open out layers -

see the next drawing.

14) Fold down

the upper flap.

13) The result. Turn over.

12) Repeat on the left side.

11) Make these folds at the same

time, collapsing paper inwards.

20
19) Divide the white area
into four. Rotate the model.

20) Fold the upper half down.

21) Add 1/8th creases.

22) Pleat the white area.

Rotate the paper.

23) Press in the centre and

spread the layers.
24) CLike this. Experiment
with different wing angles.
Turn over.

21
 Little Nicky
by Nick Robinson

2) Fold the upper edge to the

1) Start with a square, coloured bottom. Repeat underneath.
side up. Fold in half from bottom to
top.
3) Unfold and rotate 90 degrees.

4) Fold the lower corners

5) This is the result, to meet the 1/4 creases.
turn over.

6) Fold the lower edges to

the vertical centre.

7) Like this.
Turn over.

8) Fold the lower

corner to the top.
9) Like this. Turn over.

22
 Fold to match this profile.
Launch quite quickly at
any angle.

16) Fold so the circled

points meet. Repeat
underneath.

15) Crease the wingtips

front and back.

14) Fold in half from

right to left.

13) Fold the lower

point behind.

12) Open two layers and

flatten the top corner
downwards.
11) Like this. Turn over.
10) Fold the lower edges
to the vertical centre.

23
 Yacht 3
by Nick Robinson

1) Colour up, crease in

half. Turn over.
2) Make a small
crease at the
bottom. Turn over.

3) Make two creases

passing through the
intersection.

4) Fold a corner in on
5) Fold the lower the right. Zoom in on
left edge in. the circled area.

6) Fold a flap
underneath.

7) Fold the lower

right edge in.

8) A small crease 9) Fold up to

on the left, then the hidden edge.
fold in half. Rotate. 10) Fold a flap in half.

24
 17) This is how it
should look from below.

18) A small hidden fold 16) Open the central

(made in step 8) locks edges and (carefully)
the layers inside. turn each half of the
hull inside out.

Step 16 uses the

same technique
Fisherman’s boat
(page 14) 15) Fold in
two corners.

14) Fold a flap to

the right.

13) Reverse the

corners inside.
11 Crease and unfold. 12) Lift and
Open out. squash.

25
 Grasshopper
by Kunihiko Kasahara

1) White side up, fold

a diagonal, crease and
unfold.

2) Fold in half
to the left
This delightful model shows
that a simple design can be
as effective as a more
complicated one.

3) Fold two
corners to the
5) Fold the left corner.
upper half of the 4) The result. Turn
model down. the paper over.

6) Fold a corner to
match the dotted line.

Tap sharply on the

nose to make the
grasshopper hop!
7) Repeat on
the underside.

26
 Fish
by Stephen Palmer

1) Colour up. Crease in

half both ways.

2) Add four quarter creases.

Turn over.

3) Add upper and lower

quarter creases.

4) Fold left and right

quarter creases.

5) Make four small

mountain creases.

6) Fold a white edge up,

reversing the outer 7) Fold left and right 8) Fold over the
corners. Repeat at the top. outer sections behind. small corners.
Repesat at the top.

27
 15) Fold up the lower tail fin.
14) Fold over the central
flap, creasing firmly.

16) Turn over.

13) Make these creases,

forming a central 3D flap.

12) Repeat the last

step at the top.

11) Fold so the circled

points meet.

9) Fold the central 10) Add these creases.

section behind.
Repeat at the top.
28
 Locked
by Nick Robinson

1) Start with Plane Base

#1 (see page 12). Fold the
2) Fold outer edges to
upper edges to the centre,
the recent creases.
crease and unfold.

3) Fold inwards on
existing creases.

6) Fold the lower point 4) Fold the coloured

to the circled area. edges to the centre,
5) Fold the upper edge creasing only where
behind on a crease shown.
passing through the
circles. Turn over.

7) Zoom in.

8) Crease and unfold.

9) Fold in half,
tucking the central
white triangular
flap under a layer 10) Open the wings to
on the left. match the profile.

29
 The Teapot
by Russell Wood

1. Start at step 3 of the

Mushroom (p11). Fold
edges to the diagonal, 2. Make a crease that
crease and unfold. passes through the
circled point.
3. Make three simiiar creases.
This design requires accurate Turn over.
creasing, be prepared to
make it a few times.

4. Make these two creases

then turn over.
5. Fold up, reversing
a corner inside.

5-7

6. Fold down on
this crease. Do not
flatten the rest of
the paper.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 in

7. Firmly crease the this direction, then unfold.
edge shown, then unfold. Turn over and rotate.

30
 15) Open a layer
and look inside.
14) Reverse two
corners inside.

13) Fold in half

downwards.

12) Narrow the point (Tucking

under the white flaps).

11) The result.

Lift up a flap.

10) Fold in half, lifting the

central point. Carefully(!) put
in the creases from step 7.

9) Fold on these creases. The

paper becomes 3D.

31
 16) Reverse the point
upwards to match the 17) Form the spout
dotted line as you close by folding two
the layers. layers inside.

Steps 18-22 can

be altered to suit
you own tastes.

18) Crease both layers

at the bottom. Zoom
20) Reverse the point on the circled area.
outside to complete
the handle.
19) Reverse the
point inside and
downwards.

21) Fold in
two corners.

22) Pleat to form

the lid. Turn over.
32
 Sallas Glider
by Joan Sallas

1) White side upwards, fold in

half short edge to short edge,
crease then unfold.

2) Fold each half of the top edge

to the vertical centre crease.
Crease and unfold.

3) Fold left and right edges

to lie on the recent creases.

4) Fold the coloured

flaps inwards.
5) Fold the top corner down,
crease and unfold.

6) Open a layer on the right.

7) Fold the left half of the

upper point down. On the
right, push the corner in to 8) Fold the flap up as far as
make a reverse fold. you can.

33
 15) Fold the outer wing
sections in half upwards.

16) Open the wings

to match the profile.

14) Starting at a
corner, fold both wings
Launch quite slowly, or
downwards.
the wings may buckle.

13) Fold both wings up

was far as you can, using
horizontal creases.

12) Fold the flap over

again, tucking it into the
pocket between layers.

11) Fold the corner in

to the edge.

10) This is the result. We

9) Fold in half to the left. Rotate the will zoom in on the circled
paper anti-clockwise. area.

34
 What to do next?
I hope you’ve completed all (or most!) of the projects in this book and want to
continue studying paper airplanes and the wider origami world. My advice is to fold
as much as possible, choosing designs that inspire you, but not that will be too big
a challenge – be patient, your skills will grow over time. There are hundreds of books
you can buy cheaply on the subject. The internet is a good source of diagrams, with
thousands of diagrams to try. The quality varies, but you have nothing to lose. As you
fold the models, try to be creative – if you think you can improve a model, go for it!
There are many websites dedicated to flying origami and you can learn new
techniques and the secrets of competition success. If you are serious about studying
origami you should join one of the many Origami Societies around the world. You
will receive regular magazines full of exciting new models and learn about new
advances in origami. Most societies hold conventions (real or online) where people
gather to fold together.
Some societies to consider are
Origami USA – www.origamiusa.org
British Origami Society - www.britishorigami.org
Mouvement Français des Plieurs de Papier - https://mfpp-origami.fr/en
Centro Diffusione Origami - https://www.origami-cdo.it
Asociación Española de Papiroflexia - https://www.pajarita.org/en/
I’ve written over 110 books - please feel free to buy them all. Find out more at:
www.nickorigami.com
www.facebook.com/nickorigami
https://twitter.com/nickorigami
https://www.instagram.com/nickorigami

The author also would like to thank all my proof-

readers and Nic Terry (La grenouille qui plie)
for support and the British Origami Society for
helping make me the folder I am today. Finally,
thanks to my partner of more than 40 years, Ali
Robinson and our children Daisy & Nick, not
forgetting the cats Pickle (now sadly in the litter
tray in the sky) and Rhubarb.
Please check out my music site
www.nickrobinson.co.uk