How to Make Origami Lotus

After all the puff dough folding workout I did last week, I've decided to try on something less exhausting...to fold a paper lotus! This is my first time doing a proper origami (simple triangle airplane doesn't count)...I realised that it is extremely therapeutic!

Supplies:

• A4 sized coloured papers...I chose red (2) and green (1)
• ruler
• cutter/scissors
• stout string or thread   

1. Cut 12 pieces of 13.5cm X 7.5cm colored paper rectangles. An A4-sized paper should be precisely enough to make six.

2. For one flower, you need 8 pieces for the petals (red) and 4 pieces for the leaves (green).

3. Petals: Fold the paper pieces in half, parallel to the longest edge. The four corners are folded as if making a boat. Then the two longer edges are folded inwards and the paper is folded in half. Repeat the same steps for all 8 papers (red).

4. Leaves: Folding of the leaves is actually quite similar to folding the petals. Once you've reached the stage illustrated in the photo above, simply fold the two outer edges to the middle. Then fold all 4 papers (green) in the same fashion.

5. With the leaves complete, place the petals on them. One green paper (leaf) to be mounted with two red paper (petal). In the same way, add the remaining petals to the leaves. These four petal-leaf clusters are placed next to each other and held together with string at the center.

6. The flower petal-leaf clusters are folded in eight directions. Begin by folding the flower's first layer. Do this by folding the highest standing paper petals. How high the paper is folded depends on the individual. The flower can be made taller or flatter.

7. Continue folding the petals. Once the first layer is complete, the second layer can be added. With the second layer of petals folded, the leaves can then be folded out.