The Petal Fold is famous, but its variation is the one quietly doing the heavy lifting inside the Frog Base. If you have ever unfolded a frog and wondered how those four pointy flaps came out of a simple square, this is the fold that did it.

It starts from a Square Base with one flap Squash Folded - a shape that looks odd on its own, but makes perfect sense once you see the fold it leads to. The trickiest moment is the lift in step 5, where there is no existing crease to guide you, so you create the fold as you go. Give it a try, and the Frog Base will feel far less mysterious afterwards.

This is a slightly less common variation of the Petal Fold. It’s used in the Frog Base.

STEP 1. Start off with a Square Base that has one of the four flaps Squash Folded. This is the exact shape you’ll usually see this Petal Fold Variation made on. Fold the top right flap to the centre along the dotted line.

STEP 2. Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

STEP 3. Fold the top left flap to the centre along the dotted line.

STEP 4. Crease this well and then unfold it.

STEP 5. Lift the top flap of paper up along the dotted horizontal line, opening it up. There is no pre-existing crease along this line, so you’ll have to make it yourself as you fold the flap up.

STEP 6. As you fold up the flap of paper, also fold in the sides along the creases you already made on each side, and push everything flat.

The Completed Petal Fold Variation