Origami Bloom Pattern

Introduction

Bloom patterns are a new family of origami that can be symmetrically folded flat. This post is about one such pattern, the “Yoshimura 6.2 bloom pattern” that is easily foldable.

Bloom patterns can one day be used as flat-foldable punch bowls as well as disk-shaped deployable satellite arrays. Visit cmr.byu.edu to see how origami is applied to engineering.

Technical Information

Read about bloom patterns in this paper:

Wang Z, Lang RJ, Howell LL. 2025 Bloom patterns: radially expansive, developable and flat-foldable origami. Proc. R. Soc. A 481: 20250299. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2025.0299

Supplies

Printer, Scissors

Optional: Ruler, dry ballpoint pen, stack of scrap paper/notebook

Step 1: Print and Cut (Download Below)

Print the "Bloom Pattern Y6.2 Instructions.pdf" in color or black and white. Read the instructions on the PDF for cutting and folding guidelines.

Step 2: Trace Folds (Optional)

A. With the ink facing up, place the bloom pattern on top of the stack of paper or notebook (This makes tracing more effective)

B. Using the ruler to keep your lines straight, trace the valley fold-lines in red/dashed with the dry ballpoint pen. Press firmly as though you want to make a dark line with the pen.

C. Flip the paper upside down (ink facing down) then trace the mountain fold-lines in blue/solid following the same technique as part B.

This step will make folding easier (or if you press hard enough, you can skip the folding in step 3)

Step 3: Crease and Fold

Fold and unfold all the mountains and valley folds so you get solid creases.

Step 4: Collapse

The bloom pattern folds flat in one step, or all the folds must be made simultaneously. See this video:

Step 5: Deploy

Unfold the pattern and you’re done! You can fold it back or unfold it flat, and it will have a bowl-like shape in between. Slip it into your pocket or a birthday card and let it bring a pleasant moment to people’s day!