Graduation cap is the hat also known as mortarboard is the most important element for the graduation ceremonies. Folding a paper graduation cap can be a good way of memorizing the important moment in life.
This origami graduation cap contains two parts: the cap itself and the tassel. This means you’ll need two sheets of paper. For a traditional graduation cap, you can use black paper for the cap portion. Feel free to let your creativity shine by using different colors or patterns of paper to create your own cap. It can be pink or any of your lucky colors.
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.
This hat has many uses; it can serve as a decoration for a graduation party. You could even make one large enough to wear on your head! It’s also great for decorating gift boxes or giving one to your child or sister who will graduate from preschool.
- Folding time: 20 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Difficulty: Middle
Material
Prepare a 15×15 cm and a 7.5×7.5 cm origami square paper to create a 7.5×7.5×1.87 cm origami graduation cap. Feel free to experiment with various colors to give your project a unique outlook.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the 15×15 cm paper with the desired display color side down to begin folding, fold it in half horizontally, crease it well, and unfold it. Then, fold it in half vertically and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold and unfold it diagonally from both directions.
Step 3
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 4
Fold the left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, leaving two creases, and unfold them.
Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the middle horizontal crease, and unfold them.
Step 5
Turn over the paper from left to right.
Step 6
Fold the bottom left point diagonally along the dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it [pictures 1 and 2].
Repeat this for the bottom right point [pictures 3 and 4].
Step 7
Fold the top left point diagonally along the dotted line, leaving a crease, and unfold it [pictures 1 and 2].
Repeat this for the top right point [pictures 3 and 4].
Step 8
Mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines [picture 1].
Ensure the two red spots meet; follow the steps illustrated in pictures 2 to 4.
Press the standing layer to the left side, and bring up the right layer along the existing crease [picture 5].
Making two red spots come together and flatten the fold [pictures 6 to 8]
Step 9
Fold up the bottom edge of the top two layers to get a colored side, then fold the bottom right point along the crease shown by the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2]. Fold down the layer you just folded up [pictures 3 and 4].
Then, fold the right edge of the top layer to the left side, and fold the top right point diagonally along the dotted line [pictures 5 and 6]. Fold the layer you just folded to the left back to the right [pictures 7 and 8].
Step 10
Fold down the top rectangle, and fold the top left point diagonally along the crease shown by the dotted line, then fold the rectangle you folded down back to the top [pictures 1 to 3].
Next, fold the rectangle on the left side to the right, and fold the bottom left point diagonally along the dotted line, then fold that rectangle back to the left side [pictures 4 to 8]
Step 11
Fold the four points to meet the center point.
Step 12
Take the top left edge of the top layer and fold it down along the dotted line, then press down the lifted left point to meet the center point. Flatten the fold, and unfold them.
Step 13
Similarly, fold down the top right edge of the top layer along the dotted line, then press down the lifted top point to meet the center point. Flatten the fold, and unfold them.
Step 14
Fold up the bottom right edge of the top layer along the dotted line, then press down the lifted right point to meet the center point. Flatten the fold, and unfold them.
Step 15
Fold up the bottom left edge of the top layer along the dotted line, then press down the lifted bottom point to meet the center point. Flatten the fold, and unfold them.
Step 16
Unfold the top four triangle layers and rotate the paper 45 degrees clockwise, let’s get started on the brim part of the cap.
Step 17
Fold the right point toward the left along the black dotted line, and fold the right edge on the top toward the left along the black dotted line as well, then flatten the fold [pictures 1 to 2].
Bring up the two layers on the right and make a mountain fold, as shown by the red dotted line [pictures 3 to 5].
Step 18
Rotate the paper 45 degrees from front to back, then push the lifted edge on the top left to the right side along the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].
Bring up the top layer along the black dotted line and make a mountain fold, as shown by the red dotted line, and finally, rotate the paper 45 degrees from back to front [pictures 3 to 5].
Step 19
Rotate the paper 45 degrees from left to right, then fold up the lifted edge on the bottom left along the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].
Bring up the layer on the right along the black dotted line and make a mountain fold, as shown by the red dotted line, and finally, rotate the paper 45 degrees from right to left [pictures 3 to 5].
Step 20
Rotate the paper 45 degrees from back to front, then fold up the lifted edge on the right along the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].
Step 21
Fold down the top point of the front layer along the dotted line backward.
Step 22
Rotate it 45 degrees from right to left, then fold down the top point along the dotted line backward, and finally, rotate the paper 45 degrees from left to right.
Step 23
Rotate the paper 45 degrees from front to back, then make the other side of the brim in a similar way as above.
Step 24
Rotate the paper 45 degrees from left to right and create the last side of the brim, then rotate it back.
Step 25
Flip the paper over from left to right, and this is the main part of the cap, including the brim and mortarboard.
Step 26
To create the tassel, place the other piece of paper with the desired display side facing down to begin fold, then fold it in half horizontally, leaving a crease, and unfold it. Finally, cut the paper along this crease.
Step 27
Take one of the rectangular pieces of paper you just cut out. Cut it along these horizontal dotted lines, then cut it along the vertical dotted line on the left side.
Step 28
Fold the tassel in the middle to the left side, apply glue to the top left corner of the paper, and roll up the paper from bottom to top. Finally, cut the tassel part shorter.
Step 29
Take out another rectangle piece of paper and cut out a small circle and a small rectangle.
Step 30
Wrap the top of the tassel with the small rectangular strip of paper you just cut.
Step 31
Glue the end of the tassel part to the center of the mortarboard.
Step 32
Then glue the small circle you just cut to the center as well.
If you’re looking for easy origami hats to make an origami warm-up, then our Origami Hat – Easy Hat in 6 Steps is perfect for you. It just so happens that Christmas is coming, so we also recommend that you make some Origami Santa hats to enjoy the holiday season!
Origami Hat – Easy Hat in 6 Steps
Origami Santa Hat
What’s Next
Now you have completed making this lovely origami graduation cap. Next, check out our other origami ideas for clothing and accessories. Happy folding!
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