Origami Coach

Paper angel

An original symmetric cut-paper angel with a polygonal head, broad wings and a flared skirt. A shallow central V lets the skirt stand on its lower edge. Use an A4-proportioned rectangle and scissors; the finished angel remains one piece.

Paper angel

Before you begin

1 sheet · Rectangular paper

21 × 29.7 cm

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 long edges run vertically.

    Prepare the rectangle

    Place an A4-proportioned rectangle upright, colored side down. Have scissors ready. The angel is a folded-and-cut decoration; no glue or separate head is needed.

    Look for: The long edges run vertically.

    See this fold
  2. After step 2: The narrow packet has a closed left edge and two open right edges.

    Fold left to right

    Fold the left long edge onto the right long edge. Press the vertical center fold. Keep this folded edge on your left throughout cutting.

    Look for: The narrow packet has a closed left edge and two open right edges.

    See this fold
  3. After step 3: A small half-head rises above a sloping wing; the neck is still joined to the body.

    Shape the head and upper wing

    Trim the highlighted outer sections through both layers, taking the offcut away in small pieces. Work around the half-head, indent at the neck, then continue outward along the upper wing. Keep the head and neck attached to the folded left edge.

    Look for: A small half-head rises above a sloping wing; the neck is still joined to the body.

    See this fold
  4. After step 4: Both skirt layers end at the same straight lower edge.

    Level the skirt hem

    Cut a straight line across both layers near the bottom, removing the narrow bottom strip. A straight hem will help the angel stand.

    Look for: Both skirt layers end at the same straight lower edge.

    See this fold
  5. After step 5: One half-angel has a pointed wing, narrow waist and flared skirt, all connected.

    Shape the wing and skirt

    Remove the highlighted outer sections in small pieces. Cut beneath the wing, around the shallow waist, then diagonally outward to the skirt hem. Follow the guide and keep the central body intact.

    Look for: One half-angel has a pointed wing, narrow waist and flared skirt, all connected.

    See this fold
  6. After step 6: Two matching wings and a full head appear above the V-shaped skirt.

    Open the wings

    Open the center fold almost flat, stopping with a shallow V between the two halves. Do not flatten the center crease completely if you want the angel to stand.

    Look for: Two matching wings and a full head appear above the V-shaped skirt.

    See this fold
  7. After step 7: The lower hem forms two supporting edges; every part of the angel belongs to the original sheet.

    Set the angel upright

    Rest both halves of the straight skirt hem on a level surface, with the center crease pointing slightly forward. Adjust the shallow V evenly until the light decoration balances. For a window decoration, flatten the crease instead.

    Look for: The lower hem forms two supporting edges; every part of the angel belongs to the original sheet.

    See this fold