Traditional Origami Tote Bag

The tote bag is one of the most useful things you can fold from a single square of paper — and this traditional design is a clever twist on the classic origami cap. Starting from the same base as the well-known paper hat, it adds a few smart folds and a snip with the scissors to turn a flat sheet into a little bag with a handle you can actually pick up. It's a rewarding project for confident beginners and a hit at parties, markets, or as a tiny gift pouch. Grab a 15 cm square and let's build your paper tote.

This page is for anyone who wants to learn how to fold a traditional origami tote bag.

This traditional origami tote bag begins with the same folding sequence as the classic origami cap.

If you’re ready, let’s get started.

You can use any kind of paper to fold the tote bag. Just make sure the sheet you choose is a square (all sides equal and all corners 90 degrees). The sheet I’m using here is 15 cm × 15 cm origami paper.

This is the front side of the paper.

This is the back side of the paper. Here I’m using a sheet that’s the same color and texture on both sides.

Step 1.

Start with a square sheet. Prepare to apply a diagonal valley fold.

Step 2.

Apply the diagonal valley fold from Step 1. Prepare to rotate the paper by 45 degrees.

Step 3.

Rotate the paper by 45 degrees. Prepare to apply a horizontal valley fold.

Step 4.

Apply the horizontal valley fold from Step 3. Prepare to apply the left valley fold and then the right valley fold.

Step 5.

Apply the left valley fold and then the right valley fold from Step 4. There are three layers: (0) the bottom layer, (1) the next layer, and (2) the front-most layer. Prepare to pull the bottom layer up.