Help folding the Swallow by Mike Case

[Gentilorso]

Hi, my name is Marco and I am a newbie of this fantastic Origami world!

I am writing here because I need a little with this diagram:
http://members.shaw.ca/yagowe/origami/swallow.html

My problem is going from step 3 to step 4:
From this:
to this:


I have petal folded before, in different origamis. But here I don't understand how to obtain that particular fold.

Another question, what is meant with "sides"? If it doesn't mean the "faces", what does it mean?

Thanks for your help! And sorry for my bad english, i am Italian!

[origami_8]

I'm a bit confused now. Is your problem like you wrote to get from step 3 to 4 or like you indicate with writing about the petal fold to get from 4 to 5?
3 to 4 is just squashing the other flaps too like you did with the one in front.
For the petal fold, first fold the valley folds on the very bottom of the model by folding the sides in to the middle and unfold again. Then grab the upper layer of paper where the arrow starts and fold it upwards like the arrow indicates. The sides of the paper swing inwards along the creases you just made before. Flatten and you are done.

[Benlewisorigami]

If it's too confusing, I may be able to make a quick Photodiagram. Just let me know

[Gentilorso]

Thanks both of you for your interest, you are both very kind!

I'm a bit confused now. Is your problem like you wrote to get from step 3 to 4 or like you indicate with writing about the petal fold to get from 4 to 5?
3 to 4 is just squashing the other flaps too like you did with the one in front.
For the petal fold, first fold the valley folds on the very bottom of the model by folding the sides in to the middle and unfold again. Then grab the upper layer of paper where the arrow starts and fold it upwards like the arrow indicates. The sides of the paper swing inwards along the creases you just made before. Flatten and you are done.

Thanks a lot! I have followed your instructions, this is my point now:
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2769 ... 175557.jpg
But the rear is completely flat:
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7687 ... 175631.jpg

Now I should fold the flat down and then i should mountain fold it inside. But how do I do it?

If it's too confusing, I may be able to make a quick Photodiagram. Just let me know

If you had time and you could do it... I'd really appreciate it!!!

[origami_8]

Okay, you almost got it. The petal fold in the middle looks correct. But you aren't supposed to just fold the side flaps to the middle but to repeat making a petal fold like you just did on the back, then flip two layers over on both sides and repeat it on the sides again.