LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami

by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander

Published:: 2016 by Tuttle Publishing
Pages:: 96
Binding:: Paperback with DVD
Language:: English
ISBN-13:: 9784805312681
ISBN-10:: 4805312688

Buy from: Amazon.com
Buy from: Amazon.jp

Skill Level	Simple to complex
Clear diagrams?	Yes
Tinted diagrams (to show 2 sides of paper)?	Yes
Photos of completed models?	Yes
Is there indication to the model size resulting from size of starting paper?	No
Are the models "Pure" origami (From a single square - no cuts)?	Most are

Overall Impression

As a book of model-diagrams, this book does not disappoint. It brings together a great collection of designs, many of which were new to me, with clear, easy to follow diagrams.

What makes this book worthy of the word "Essential" in its title, though, is what's between the folds. Over a quarter of the book is dedicated to articles exploring all facets of origami, from choosing and preparing folding materials, to tips on improving your folding skills, meeting other folders, and even exhibiting and selling your work. All with stories and the wisdom from the many years of LaFosse and Alexander's experience with their Origamido Studio.

Each design has an attached lesson on an aspect of folding, be it wet-folding, coloring your paper, approaches to design and more. All this information makes this book a fascinating read, rather than just a book of diagrams to fold from.

The book comes with a DVD containing video instructions to all projects in the book.

I'd recommend this book as truly essential to anyone beyond absolute beginners.

There are 16 Origami Designs in LaFosse and Alexander's Essential Book of Origami:

Design	Designer	Page	Details	Photo
Show only designs with photos
Crane Birds - Gruiformes - Cranes	Traditional	34	Square Also in A Thousand Cranes by Florence Temko Also in An Invitation to the Practice of Folding Paper by Michel Lucas Also in Atlas de l'Origami Also in Beginner Origami by Yoshihide Momotani Also in Classic Origami by Paul Jackson Also in Complete Origami by Eric Kenneway Also in Complete Origami by David Mitchell and in other sources...	Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Heart Hearts	Michael G. LaFosse	38	Square	Folded from a square of Japanese Foil by Gilad Aharoni
Squirrel Mammals - Rodentia - Squirrels	Anne LaVin	42	Square Also in FUNcon FUNdraiser 2020 Lucky Packet	Folded from a square of cardstock by Gilad Aharoni
Great white shark Fish - Sharks	Michael G. LaFosse	46	$ US Dollar Bill	Folded from a US Dollar bill by Gilad Aharoni
Hummingbird Birds - Apodiformes - Hummingbirds	Michael G. LaFosse	49	Square Also in PCOC 2013 - Southwestern Origami Models	Folded from a square of foil origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Bunny Mammals - Lagomorpha - Rabbits and Bunnies	Michael G. LaFosse	52	Square Also in Origami Deutschland 2019 Also in Ultimate Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander Dim Sum Bun	Folded from a square of Banana fiber paper by Gilad Aharoni
Skunk Mammals - Mustelids - Skunks	Michael G. LaFosse	54	Square Also in Origami Deutschland 2018 Ambrose the Skunk	Folded from a square of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Seahorse for Al Miyatake Fish	Michael G. LaFosse	58	Square Also in Ultimate Origami for Beginners by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander	Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Reef triggerfish Fish	Michael G. LaFosse	61	Square Humuhumunukunukuapua'a	Folded from a square of washi by Gilad Aharoni
Yellow tang for Mariko Fish	Michael G. LaFosse	64	Square Also in Creased Magazine 6	Folded from a square of Indian Gold paper by Gilad Aharoni
Pony Mammals - Equidae - Horses and Donkeys	Michael G. LaFosse	68	Square	Folded from a square of Kraft paper by Gilad Aharoni
Bat Mammals - Chiroptera - Bats	Michael G. LaFosse	72	Triangle Also in Advanced Origami by Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander Also in CDO convention 1997 Also in CDO convention 2001 Also in Fun Origami World by Makoto Yamaguchi Also in Le Pli 68 Also in Origami Sourcebook by Jay Ansill and in other sources... Happy Good Luck Bat	Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Butterfly - Alexander Aztec Swallowtail Insects - Butterflies	Michael G. LaFosse	76	Square Also in Folding Australia 2007 Also in Origami Butterflies by Richard L. Alexander and Greg Mudarri Also in Tanteidan 16th convention	Folded by Gilad Aharoni
Wedding orchid Flora - Flowers	Michael G. LaFosse	80	Square 3 units	Folded from 3 squares of origami paper by Gilad Aharoni
Cat Mammals - Felidae - Cats	Michael G. LaFosse	84	Square	Folded from a square of crinckle charcoal scrapbooking paper by Gilad Aharoni
Leatherback sea turtle Reptiles - Turtles	Michael G. LaFosse	90	Square	Wet Folded from a square of art paper by Gilad Aharoni