The Squash Fold is a fundamental folding technique in origami that is used to flatten and reshape part of the paper by opening a flap and pressing it down symmetrically. It is commonly used in both simple and complex origami models.
Origami Basics: Origami Squash Fold Instructions
Category: Basic Origami Folds

Difficulty:
Easy
This step-by-step guide with clear pictures shows you how to easily make the origami squash fold.
Step 1
1
Start with a square sheet of origami paper of any dimension. I am using an 7×7 inches origami paper.
If you only have regular paper, follow these instructions on how to make a square origami paper.
If you only have regular paper, follow these instructions on how to make a square origami paper.
Step 2
2
This is the first of three sqash fold examples. Fold a square sheet of paper in half.
Step 3
3
Fold the left half to the right.
Step 4
4
Unfold.
Step 5
5
Fold the top left corner down to the center.
Step 6
6
Unfold.
Step 7
7
Open the left flap.
Step 8
8
Fold the bottom left corner of top layer to the bottom right corner while meeting the top left edge to the bottom of midline.
Step 9
9
Squash the fold down.
Step 10
10
Voila! This is the first example of squash fold.
Step 11
11
Here’s the second example. With a square sheet of paper folded in half like before.
Step 12
12
Fold the left edge to the center.
Step 13
13
Unfold.
Step 14
14
Now fold the top left corner down to the crease you just made.
Step 15
15
Unfold.
Step 16
16
Open that flap.
Step 17
17
Squash down the fold as shown.
Step 18
18
This is the second example of squash fold.
Step 19
19
This is the third example of the squash fold. Start with a square sheet of origami paper of any dimension. I am using an 7×7 inches origami paper.
Step 20
20
Rotate the paper to make it resemble a diamond.
Step 21
21
Fold the left corner to the right.
Step 22
22
Unfold.
Step 23
23
Fold the top corner to the bottom.
Step 24
24
Fold the right edge of the triangle to the center.
Step 25
25
Unfold.
Step 26
26
Open that flap.
Step 27
27
Squash the top layer down.
Step 28
28
Flatten the fold and voila! This is the third example of origami paper.
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