Ultimate Origami for Beginners book cover

Ultimate Origami for Beginners

by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander

Published:
2014 by Tuttle Publishing
Pages:
64
Binding:
Kit with booklet and paper
Language:
English
ISBN-13:
9784805312674
ISBN-10:
480531267X

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Skill Level Simple to intermediate
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)? Varies

Overall Impression

This kit aims to bring a wide subject range of origami designs, some collected from previous kits and books, like the lovely dollar butterfly and Kanji the dog, and some new designs created especially for this set. Animals, geometrical models, flowers and dollar folds are all here, simple to intermediate in complexity.

The kit comes with 62 sheets of folding paper: standard origami paper in 2 sizes, and a pack of nice quality play money to practice dollar folding with. The highlight of the kit is the DVD, with video instructions for every design diagrammed in the booklet.

Now, had it not been for the DVD, I'd hesitate to recommend the booklet to the absolute beginner. The designs are great and the diagrams clear, but for someone new to origami I'd choose even simpler models to start with. When combined with the video instructions on the DVD, however, it's a whole other picture. You get to sit behind LaFosse's shoulder, watch and follow along as he patiently guides you through the simple as well as more tricky steps, providing tips and techniques for better results. This will enable even beginners to get a grasp on slightly more advanced designs.

Highly recommend for anyone who wants to dip their toes into origami!

There are 19 Origami Designs in Ultimate Origami for Beginners:

Design Designer Page Details Photo

Crane's egg

Boxes and Containers

Richard L. Alexander7Square
3 units
Tato purse

Objects - Wallets

Traditional10Square
Sealed with a kiss envelope

Letters and Envelopes

Michael G. LaFosse13Square

envelope with lips or heart
Origami Sealed with a kiss envelope 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
Dazzle

Geometric and other shapes

Michael G. LaFosse16Square
8 units
Two lips

Flora - Flowers

Michael G. LaFosse19Square

flower with lips
Origami Two lips by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of duo origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of duo origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Petallunia moon flower

Flora - Flowers

Michael G. LaFosse21Square
6 units
Bunny

Mammals - Lagomorpha - Rabbits and Bunnies

Michael G. LaFosse24Square

Also in LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Also in Origami Deutschland 2019

Dim Sum Bunny
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
Kanji the dog

Mammals - Canidae - Dogs

Richard L. Alexander27Square

Also in Origami Deutschland 2018
Also in PCOC 2013 - Southwestern Origami Models
Also in Story-Gami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Origami Kanji the dog by Richard L. Alexander. Folded from a square of handmade paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of handmade paper by Gilad Aharoni
Scallop

Molluscs

Michael G. LaFosse30Square
Baby dinosaur

Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Animals - Unspecified - Generic Dinosaurs

Michael G. LaFosse33SquareOrigami Baby dinosaur by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of textured origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of textured origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
North American cardinal

Birds - Passeriformes - Cardinals

Michael G. LaFosse36Square

Also in Fun and Easy Origami Animals by Michael G. LaFosse
Also in Origami Animals by Michael G. LaFosse
Also in Origami Deutschland 2018
Also in Advanced Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Also in BOS Convention 2004 Spring
Also in BOS Convention 2011 Spring - Birmingham
Also in BOS Magazine 225
and in other sources...

With Blue Jay or Tufted Titmouse variation
Origami North American cardinal by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Seahorse for Al Miyatake

Fish

Michael G. LaFosse40Square

Also in LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Origami Seahorse for Al Miyatake by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of textured origami paper by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of textured origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Pig

Mammals - Suidae - Pigs and Boars

Michael G. LaFosse44Square

Also in Origami USA Convention 2011
Origami Pig by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a square of cardstock by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a square of cardstock by Gilad Aharoni
Chuck finn

Toys - Planes

Michael G. LaFosse47Square
Shuttlecock

Toys - Planes

Michael G. LaFosse50Square
Manta jet

Toys - Planes

Michael G. LaFosse53Square
Five-dollar star

Geometric and other shapes

Michael G. LaFosse56$ US Dollar Bill
5 units
Butterfly

Insects - Butterflies

Michael G. LaFosse59$ US Dollar Bill

Also in Money Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander
Also in Origami USA Convention 1997
Also in Origami Butterflies by Richard L. Alexander and Greg Mudarri
Origami Butterfly by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Yacht

Vehicles - Boats

Michael G. LaFosse62$ US Dollar BillOrigami Yacht by Michael G. LaFosse. Folded from a toy dollar bill by Gilad Aharoni on giladorigami.com
Folded from a toy dollar bill by Gilad Aharoni