A dollar bill origami turtle, featuring a presidential portrait perfectly centered on its shell, represents a unique blend of wealth and craft. For a smoother crafting process, it’s advisable to use a slightly newer dollar bill. The folding technique involves delicate steps, and using an older bill may result in tearing.
This little turtle is not only an easter egg for your wallet, but also makes a creative birthday gift, and perhaps brings you long-lasting fortune – after all, turtles are a symbol of longevity and good luck.
If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 15 minutes
- Paper: A dollar bill
- Difficulty: Easy
Material
Get a 1 dollar bill to create an origami turtle. A slightly new and crisp bill would create a better effect.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Fold the bill in half vertically, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold the left and right sections of the top edge to align with the vertical crease, and unfold them.
Step 3
Fold the left and right sections of the bottom edge to align with the vertical crease, and unfold them.
Step 4
Flip the dollar over from left to right.
Step 5
Fold the right edge along the dotted line extending vertically from the intersection point indicated by the red spot, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 6
Fold the left edge along the dotted line extending vertically from the intersection point indicated by the red spot, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 7
Flip the bill from left to right.
Step 8
Mountain fold the crease indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the crease indicated by the blue dotted lines. Then, lift the right section of the top and bottom edges and the right edge, fold the right edge to the left side, and finally, flatten the fold.
Step 9
Fold the left edge of the right part to the right side along the dotted line.
Step 10
Repeat step 8 for the left side.
Mountain fold the crease indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the crease indicated by the blue dotted lines. Then, lift the top, bottom, and left edges, fold the left edge to the right side, and finally, flatten the fold.
Step 11
Fold the right edge to the left side along the dotted line, then fold the top layer in half horizontally from top to bottom, and finally, turn the dollar over from left to right.
Step 12
Fold down the top corner backward along the red dotted line. Then, fold the top left and right corners backward along the red dotted line on each side. Note that you should not fold the human image part. Finally, flip the dollar from left to right.
Step 13
Unfold the small flaps at the top left and right, then create a mountain crease on the right side, as indicated by the red dotted line. Finally, flatten the top right corner and make the resulting pleat beneath the mountain crease.
Step 14
Repeat this for the left side.
Create a mountain crease on the left side, as indicated by the red dotted line. Finally, flatten the top left corner and make the resulting pleat beneath the mountain crease.
Step 15
Fold the bottom corner of the top pentagon upwards, and fold the bottom edges of the left and right layers upwards as well. Finally, flatten the fold.
Step 16
Fold up the bottom corners of the two upper layers along the horizontal crease, then turn the dollar over from left to right.
Step 17
Fold the left and right corners backward along the red dotted lines, note that do not fold the human image part.
Step 18
Flip the bill from left to right.
Step 19
Fold down the two flaps on the top side to the sides, then fold the triangle on each flap’s end along their hypotenuse. Finally, flip the turtle from right to left.
Step 20
Fold up the right edge of the left flap, and the left edge of the right flap, then fold them back to form a zigzag. Finally, fold the two corners up a little, as you can see in the third picture. These are the turtle’s two hind legs.
Step 21
Raise the turtle’s hind legs.
Step 22
Fold up the bottom corner, then fold it back to the bottom side to form a zigzag, and next, press down the two hind legs.
Step 23
Flip the turtle over to finish.
What’s Next
That’s your adorable origami turtle made with a dollar bill. Next, you can check out our other origami fish ideas. Happy folding!
In addition to this dollar bill origami turtle, we also offer Origami Turtle and Origami Sea Turtle. The Origami Turtle has a slightly arched shell, and a tiny tail makes it look even more adorable. While the Origami Sea Turtle featured a wide and flattened shell and a bread-like turtle head. These two are made with ordinary folding papers.
Origami Turtle
Origami Sea Turtle
