LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami book cover

LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami

by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander

Published:
2016 by Tuttle Publishing
Pages:
96
Binding:
Paperback with DVD
Language:
English
ISBN-13:
9784805312681
ISBN-10:
4805312688

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Skill Level Simple to complex
Clear diagrams? Yes
Tinted diagrams (to show 2 sides of paper)? Yes
Photos of completed models? Yes
Is there indication to the model size resulting from size of starting paper? No
Are the models "Pure" origami (From a single square - no cuts)? Most are

Overall Impression

As a book of model-diagrams, this book does not disappoint. It brings together a great collection of designs, many of which were new to me, with clear, easy to follow diagrams.

What makes this book worthy of the word "Essential" in its title, though, is what's between the folds. Over a quarter of the book is dedicated to articles exploring all facets of origami, from choosing and preparing folding materials, to tips on improving your folding skills, meeting other folders, and even exhibiting and selling your work. All with stories and the wisdom from the many years of LaFosse and Alexander's experience with their Origamido Studio.

Each design has an attached lesson on an aspect of folding, be it wet-folding, coloring your paper, approaches to design and more. All this information makes this book a fascinating read, rather than just a book of diagrams to fold from.

The book comes with a DVD containing video instructions to all projects in the book.

I'd recommend this book as truly essential to anyone beyond absolute beginners.

There are 16 Origami Designs in LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami:

Design Designer Page Details Photo

Crane

Birds - Gruiformes - Cranes

Traditional34Square

Also in A Thousand Cranes by Florence Temko
Also in An Invitation to the Practice of Folding Paper by Michel Lucas
Also in Atlas de l'Origami
Also in Beginner Origami by Yoshihide Momotani
Also in Classic Origami by Paul Jackson
Also in Complete Origami by Eric Kenneway
Also in Complete Origami by David Mitchell
and in other sources...
Origami Crane by Traditional. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Heart

Hearts

Michael G. LaFosse38SquareOrigami Heart by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of Japanese foil by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of Japanese Foil by Gilad Aharoni
Squirrel

Mammals - Rodentia - Squirrels

Anne LaVin42Square

Also in FUNcon FUNdraiser 2020 Lucky Packet
Origami Squirrel by Anne LaVin. Folded from a square of cardstock by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of cardstock by Gilad Aharoni
Great white shark

Fish - Sharks

Michael G. LaFosse46$ US Dollar BillOrigami Great white shark by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a US Dollar bill by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a US Dollar bill by Gilad Aharoni
Hummingbird

Birds - Apodiformes - Hummingbirds

Michael G. LaFosse49Square

Also in PCOC 2013 - Southwestern Origami Models
Origami Hummingbird by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of foil origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of foil origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Bunny

Mammals - Lagomorpha - Rabbits and Bunnies

Michael G. LaFosse52Square

Also in Origami Deutschland 2019
Also in Ultimate Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander

Dim Sum Bun
Origami Bunny by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of Banana fiber paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of Banana fiber paper by Gilad Aharoni
Skunk

Mammals - Mustelids - Skunks

Michael G. LaFosse54Square

Also in Origami Deutschland 2018

Ambrose the Skunk
Origami Skunk by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Seahorse for Al Miyatake

Fish

Michael G. LaFosse58Square

Also in Ultimate Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Origami Seahorse for Al Miyatake by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Reef triggerfish

Fish

Michael G. LaFosse61Square

Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
Origami Reef triggerfish by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of washi by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of washi by Gilad Aharoni
Yellow tang for Mariko

Fish

Michael G. LaFosse64Square

Also in Creased Magazine 6
Origami Yellow tang for Mariko by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of Indian Gold paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of Indian Gold paper by Gilad Aharoni
Pony

Mammals - Equidae - Horses and Donkeys

Michael G. LaFosse68SquareOrigami Pony by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of Kraft paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of Kraft paper by Gilad Aharoni
Bat

Mammals - Chiroptera - Bats

Michael G. LaFosse72Triangle

Also in Advanced Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Also in CDO convention 1997
Also in CDO convention 2001
Also in Fun Origami World by Makoto Yamaguchi
Also in Le Pli 68
Also in Origami Sourcebook by Jay Ansill
and in other sources...

Happy Good Luck Bat
Origami Bat by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Butterfly - Alexander Aztec Swallowtail

Insects - Butterflies

Michael G. LaFosse76Square

Also in Folding Australia 2007
Also in Origami Butterflies by Richard L. Alexander and Greg Mudarri
Also in Tanteidan 16th convention
Origami Butterfly - Alexander Aztec Swallowtail by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Wedding orchid

Flora - Flowers

Michael G. LaFosse80Square
3 units
Origami Wedding orchid by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from 3 squares of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from 3 squares of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Cat

Mammals - Felidae - Cats

Michael G. LaFosse84SquareOrigami Cat by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of crinckle charcoal scrapbooking paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of crinckle charcoal scrapbooking paper by Gilad Aharoni
Leatherback sea turtle

Reptiles - Turtles

Michael G. LaFosse90SquareOrigami Leatherback sea turtle by Michael G. LaFosse. Wet Folded from a square of art paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Wet Folded from a square of art paper by Gilad Aharoni