Inside reverse fold

An inside reverse fold is a move where a point is pushed inside itself between its layers, reversing the direction of the crease.

Pre-crease the fold line by folding the point in both directions, then open the layers slightly and push the point inward along the crease until it reverses between them. Flatten the model. It is used for necks, tails, heads and beaks.

The common mistake is skipping the pre-crease, which makes the fold wrinkle. Another is pushing the point too far or not far enough, so check the angle against the diagram before flattening. In the Paper Crane you use it for the neck, tail and head.

How to fold a inside reverse fold, step by step

1
Fold the point along the line where it should bend, crease it firmly and unfold.
2
Fold it the other way along the same line and unfold again, so the crease bends in both directions.
3
Open the layers of the point slightly from the open edge.
4
Push the tip down into the model between its layers, along the crease, so the crease reverses direction.
5
Close the layers again and flatten the model.
6
Compare the angle of the point with the diagram; you can still adjust it before pressing hard.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

The paper wrinkles instead of reversing
The fold was not pre-creased. Crease the line firmly in both directions first, and the point will turn inside out cleanly.
The point ends up at the wrong angle
Check the angle while the layers are still open. Once flattened, refolding at a new angle leaves a visible extra crease.
The layers tear at the bend
Open the layers only as far as needed, and guide the point with a finger inside rather than forcing it from outside.

When you’ll use it

Reverse folds are how flat bases become animals. Once a base has long points, inside reverse folds turn them into necks, tails, beaks, legs and ears without adding a new flap or showing the white side of the paper. They also lock layers together, because the point ends up held between the layers around it. In the Paper Crane you make three in a row: two to raise the neck and the tail and one for the head. The same move made twice close together is a crimp, and the same idea pushed into the middle of a model is a sink fold, so learning it well opens up most intermediate models.

Practice it on these models

Advanced15 min · 19 steps

Paper Crane

The origami crane is the traditional Japanese orizuru, a bird with spread wings folded from a single square without cuts or glue. It is an advanced model: expect about 15 minutes for your first one, mostly spent learning the petal fold and inside reverse fold.

Inside reverse fold: questions

What is the difference between inside and outside reverse folds?+

In an inside reverse fold the point goes in between its own layers; in an outside reverse fold the layers wrap around the outside. An inside reverse fold keeps the same color showing; an outside one shows the other side of the paper.

Where will I use an inside reverse fold?+

For necks, tails, beaks and heads. In the Paper Crane it raises the neck and the tail, and then turns down the tip of the neck to make the head.

How is an inside reverse fold drawn?+

Usually with a mountain line across the point, an arrow pushing the point in, and sometimes a valley line on the hidden layer. The next picture shows the point already turned inside.