Designed by Richard L. Alexander The classic Japanese “Bird Base” is folded from a single uncut square. It’s a versatile design that is the basis of many models— and not just birds. Adapting this base to money typically produces a stubby model with limited potential for elegance. However, our Three-Dollar Bird Base—integral to the following two designs— produces impressive, elegant models. Try this base with other familiar models. 1 For bill number one, begin with the reverse side facing right-side up. Valley-fold the left and right short edges to the top edge.
2 Valley-fold the same two short edges down to meet the 45-degree folded edges formed in step one. 3 Move the folded flaps down and turn the model over, left to right. 4 Your model should look like this. Fold in half, right to left.