THE Kite Base - Two Methods

Text-based instructions copyright 2025 by Lindy van der Merwe
accessorigami.com
The Kite Base is the start for some interesting origami models. It leads into the diamond Base and the Fish Base.
Two methods for folding it are listed below. There are likely more, which you may discover on your own as you acquire more experience.

METHOD 1
Quick, but not so accurate for a beginner ...
Step 1
Place a square down in the diamond orientation, with one of the points facing you.
Step 2
Create a two-layered triangle by folding the left point over to meet the right point.
Crease along the left side of the paper and then unfold.
The result will be a center vertical valley crease line that you will use as a guide for the following two steps.
Step 3
Take the bottom right edge of the square and fold it so it meets the center vertical crease from the previous step.
Starting from the corner nearest you, carefully line up the right edge with the center crease.
Make a crease along the right side and leave folded.
Step 4
Now, take the bottom left edge of the square and fold it so it also meets the center vertical crease.
Starting from the corner nearest you, carefully line up the left edge with the center crease.
Make a crease along the left side and leave folded.
You have completed the Kite Base.
Note: To make folding into the center easier, in Steps 2 and 3, instead of keeping the paper flat, you can, in turn, lift up the entire right and left sides of the square to form a 90 degree angle with the table.
So, instead of lining your edges up against a flat, valley crease or a raw edge, because of the smaller angle, you will have a more tactile valley fold to use as a guide.

METHOD 2
More steps, but good for accuracy ...
Step 1
Place a square down in the diamond orientation, with one of the points facing you.
Step 2
Create a two-layered triangle by folding the top point down to meet the bottom point.
Crease along the top edge of the paper and leave folded.
Step 3
Take the bottom right edge of the triangle, the front layer only, and fold it upwards or away from you so it meets the folded top edge of the paper.
A new, smaller triangle will be the result.
Make a strong crease and leave folded.
Step 4
Flip the figure over from left to right so you reveal a smooth triangle on the other side.
Step 5
Now, take the bottom left edge of the triangle, the front layer only, and fold it upwards or away from you so it meets the folded top edge of the paper.
A new, smaller triangle will be the result.
Make a strong crease and leave folded.
You will have the same smaller triangle as before, making the model symmetrical.
Step 6
Now, pick up the figure and open the fold along the top edge. Place it down again so The folded flaps face the ceiling. Then rotate the figure so the unfolded corner is at the top.
The finished Kite Base will have a left and right side that is folded to meet in the middle. The long, skinny point of the kite, the tail, will be nearest you, having two layers, while the unfolded corner will form the top part of the figure, furthest away from you.
Making origami accessible through text-based instructions
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled: February 2025
This text copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com