The Origami Forum

the complete book of origami
step 18. how do you spread apart the top???? I have no idea..

Will bring book in tomorrow and try to help.

But from what I remember, that model was extremely confusing for someone of my skill (quite a lot of the later models in that book - like the cicada - were a bit of a struggle to interpret, for me at least)

Ok, have book today.
This is a *bit* tricky. Here's how I did it.

For the top section, where the text says "Crimp the two smaller flaps.."
● Ignore the very top of the paper for now we'll deal with that later.

For the two "crimps" below that, either side of the central line of the model:
● Valley fold the entire model in half down the central line.
● Rotate 90° anti clockwise (the section that will be the tail is now at your left)
● Crimp the paper down and back up, according to the lines indicated for the two crimps in the diagram for step 18
● There are no reference marks for that fold, but don't make the crimp too wide
● Unfold and re-orientate the model back to look like step 18
● the crimp has formed the precreases for the two crimps indicated in step 18
● re-inforce the creases so that they move fluidly
● put your finger between the central opening down the model and ease one side of the top half along the precreases
● the section *below* your finger stays where it is, the section *above* your finger follows the creases
● paper will not lie flat
● repeat the manoeuvre on the other side
● paper will still not lie flat
● when both sides are following the precreases, stretch the paper at the very top (which we ignored earlier) over ● new creases are formed from the fulcrum point of the crimp in the center line (where all the creases meet in step 18 on the center line), to the top point of the model in step 18 (both points of the horizontal top of the model in step 18)
● slowly, flatten completely into position shown in step 19

I hope that is at least some help
Model looks good when completed - I can't say I've ever wanted to fold it again though, it made my head hurt too much.
Good luck!