Origami Fold-by-Fold by John Montroll

Origami Fold-by-Fold by John Montroll ISBN-13: 9780486842424 Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Dover Publications Released: July 15th 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
This unique collection of 35 original origami models, presented in order of difficulty, is the invention of bestselling origami artist John Montroll. The projects start with simple one-star models (ladybug, angelfish, sailboat) and progress to very complex four-star models (grasshopper, wooly mammoth), with a crane, lion, peacock, and several geometric shapes in between. This comprehensive volume includes step-by-step instructions and full-color illustrations to allow folders at all levels to gradually develop their skills.

Internationally renowned author John Montroll has significantly increased the origami repertoire with his original designs. Best known as the inspiration behind the single-square, no-cuts, no-glue approach, the American origami master presents meticulously developed folding sequences that allow folders to create better models with fewer steps.


My Review:
Origami Fold-by-Fold teaches you how to fold 35 original origami models. The author started by explaining the different symbols that show where to fold and which direction to go as well as how to do the most common folds. He started the projects with simple models and worked up to the most complex so that you can learn the skills you need as you go along. He had 10 simple projects, 10 intermediate projects, 8 complex projects, and 7 very complex projects. For each step, he had an illustration as well as the symbols, but minimal to no text.

On the digital version, each step's illustration was rather small and it was sometimes difficult to see the difference between the symbol for folding forward and folding back. I had trouble following the directions even on the first project. I had to carefully study the picture (rather than the symbols) to catch on to what I was supposed to do since the symbols were not clear in one spot. He then had you go back and repeat several steps (starting with the wrong step) but doing it on the other side. If you have trouble flipping/reversing instructions, this could be challenging. If you are familiar with the folding symbols, I think this would be much simpler to follow. However, this may not actually be the best book for a complete beginner (like me) to start with.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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