Make Origami Paper Claws

Origami claws can really spice up your ghoulish costume or spoke your friends. If your Halloween costume needs some claws, you can just fashion your own claws for each finger. They are sharp and pointy, so don't get too carried away, they're just for show!

Steps

Forming Claws from Standard Paper

  1. Place the paper on a flat surface. Position the paper horizontally. You can use any type of paper you have lying around the house. If you want sturdier claws, then use thicker paper.
  2. Fold the top left corner over and down. Align the fold to the paper's bottom. The left side of the sheet now has a point.
  3. Fold the point to the opposite corner. It should look like a rectangle that is missing a corner.
  4. Fold the diagonal edge at the top part down. Align the top edge to the diagonal edge. This should now be in the shape of a square. Position the paper with the right angle of the triangle pointing up, or away from you.
  5. Create a triangle. Fold the square along the diagonal line. This should create a triangle.
  6. Fold the paper in half. Imagine a vertical line dividing the triangle in half, from the point to the base, right down the middle. You're creating a right triangle.
    • You may want to draw this line in pencil the first couple of times. Use a T-square to make sure the line down the middle is at a right angle to the base of the triangle.
    • This fold is to form a crease that will be important for the following fold.
  7. Fold the left side into the crease. Unfold the recently formed right triangle and fold the two edged side directly to the half-way line of the triangle. The fold's outer edge should be going straight down, perpendicular to the bottom and even extending below the bottom of your triangle.
  8. Repeat the previous fold two more times. Fold the same side over itself again. You should be able to see the claw coming into form.
    • Be careful to line each fold with your imaginary pencil line.
    • Make sure you keep each fold very tight and at the same angle. If the folds start to slant upwards, instead of staying aligned, the claw won't be as sturdy.
  9. Tuck the bottom flap into the end. You may need to open the hole for the flap up with your finger. Hold it so the opening is visible and easy to insert one flap.
  10. Open the smaller triangle in the middle of the folds. Simply stick your finger into the smaller triangle to open it up. This will look like a knuckle for the claw.
    • It may be a tight fit at first.
    • The tighter the fit the more likely the claw will stay on your finger.

Using Origami Paper

  1. Buy or construct origami paper. To make origami paper, orient a standard sized paper (8.5x11) longways and fold a corner farthest to the opposite edge. Then cut off the excess part of the paper that wasn't covered by this fold. This will create a square.
    • Sturdier paper will increase the the durability.
  2. Fold the paper in half. Imagine a line running from the top-left corner going to the bottom-right corner. Fold along this line to create a right triangle.[1]
  3. Fold the paper on the diagonal axis. You are turning your right triangle into an isosceles triangle. Make sure the crease is strong.
  4. Fold the paper on a diagonal axis, again. The line that you are folding now will start from one corner, and will end in the middle of the other two corners. Continue to ensure that your creases are strong.
  5. Make a vertical valley fold.[1] Position the claw in front of you so the pointiest "nail" faces left. Imagine a line descending straight from the top tip to the bottom. Fold the smaller corner towards the "nail." Then unfold this fold.
  6. Tuck the right tip into the pocket.[1] By making the vertical valley fold, you've allowed a pocket to be formed. This is where your finger will go.

Using an Alternative Technique

  1. Place the paper on a flat surface. Position the paper horizontally. You can use any type of paper you have lying around the house. If you want sturdier claws, then use thicker paper.
  2. Fold the top left corner over and down. Align the fold to the paper's bottom. The left side of the sheet now has a point.
  3. Fold the two corners on the right side. Only fold these corners to the line of the previous fold. This will create two smaller triangles.[2]
  4. Fold the left point over. Imagine this right triangle without the other two triangles. Just fold the right tip to the opposite tip of the right triangle.
  5. Use the excess strip. Fold the excess strip with the two smaller triangles up onto the other triangle. This will form a triangle with this recent fold on top of it.
  6. Fold the paper in half. Imagine a vertical line dividing the triangle in half, from the point to the base, right down the middle. You're creating a right triangle.
    • This fold is to form a crease that will be important for the following fold.
  7. Fold the left side into the crease. Unfold the recently formed right triangle and fold the two folded edges directly to the half-way line of the triangle. The fold's outer edge should be going straight down, perpendicular to the bottom and even extending below the bottom of your triangle.
  8. Repeat the previous fold two more times. Fold the same side over itself again. You should be able to see the claw coming into form.
  9. Tuck the bottom flap into the end. You may need to open the hole for the flap up with your finger. Hold it so the opening is visible and easy to insert one flap.
  10. Open the smaller triangle in the middle of the folds. Simply stick your finger into the smaller triangle to open it up. This will look like a knuckle for the claw.

Tips

  • Make your folds as exact as possible. Consider using a paper folder or a ruler. Sharp, exact folds are the key to success in almost any origami projects.
  • This is hard. Your claws will get better and better the more you make them.
  • Practice on thin, cheap paper before using any expensive materials.
  • Some people might have fingers that are too large or small. You can always use bigger or smaller paper, just make sure it has the same proportions.
  • Buy some black gloves in a thrift store, or look for old ones around the house, and cut off the ends from the fingers. Put your claws on over the gloves for an even better look.
  • You can change the color by using black paper or even painting. Construction paper is heavier and harder to work with but makes more durable claws and is available in a variety of colors.
  • Younger children may need help doing this.
  • If you want the claws to match your costume you could do a design on them.

Things You'll Need

  • An 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper, standard letter size in the United States
  • A hard surface to fold on
  • Paper folder or ruler (optional)
  • T-square (optional)
  • Origami paper (optional)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.origami-instructions.com/easy-origami-witches-claws.html
  2. ↑ http://www.instructables.com/id/Origami-How-to-make-a-claw/?ALLSTEPS
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