Origami Coach

Autumn leaf

Shape a rectangle into a pointed leaf, then add shallow alternating ridges. The original sheet stays whole: four corner folds form the tapered outline and an open accordion gives the leaf a little depth.

Autumn leaf

Before you begin

1 sheet · Rectangular paper

21 × 29.7 cm

No scissors needed

Start folding

This lesson is being checked for folding accuracy. It has not yet passed a physical fold-through review.

Step-by-step instructions

Read through the fold before you begin, or open any step in the folding viewer.

Printable guide (opens a new tab)
  1. After step 1: The whole rectangle is visible in portrait orientation.

    Set a rectangle upright

    Place your rectangle with its long edges running up and down. A4 or US Letter works; the shown example uses A4 proportions. Keep the front side facing up.

    Look for: The whole rectangle is visible in portrait orientation.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: One sloping shoulder leads toward the top middle point.

    Taper the upper left

    Fold the upper-left corner behind along the sloping crease. Its top edge meets the center of the top edge.

    Look for: One sloping shoulder leads toward the top middle point.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: The upper end is a symmetric leaf point.

    Taper the upper right

    Fold the upper-right corner behind along the matching crease. Match the left side to form a single pointed tip.

    Look for: The upper end is a symmetric leaf point.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: The lower-left edge slopes inward toward the bottom middle.

    Taper the lower left

    Fold the lower-left corner behind along its sloping crease, keeping the upper point in place.

    Look for: The lower-left edge slopes inward toward the bottom middle.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: The long leaf has a point at each end and its widest part in the middle.

    Taper the lower right

    Repeat on the lower right. Flatten the four corner flaps behind the central leaf shape.

    Look for: The long leaf has a point at each end and its widest part in the middle.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: The leaf has its first gentle ridge across its width.

    Start a shallow accordion

    At the lowest highlighted horizontal crease, bend the upper part slightly toward you. Keep this fold open rather than flattening it.

    Look for: The leaf has its first gentle ridge across its width.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: The first two creases make a shallow zigzag when viewed from the side.

    Fold the next ridge back

    At the next crease up, bend the upper part in the opposite direction. Hold the lower ridge so it does not unfold.

    Look for: The first two creases make a shallow zigzag when viewed from the side.

    See this fold
  8. After step 8: Four alternating ridges give the pointed leaf a softly corrugated surface. Place it on a table; it is not a maple-leaf model.

    Continue toward the tip

    Make the next two ridges in alternating directions. Keep all four open at roughly the same shallow angle. You can rotate the model to check the side view.

    Look for: Four alternating ridges give the pointed leaf a softly corrugated surface. Place it on a table; it is not a maple-leaf model.

    See this fold