How to Make a Money Origami Christmas Bow

Money Bow Tie

dollar bill origami money bow tie
This money bow tie can be made in two styles: straight (top two ties) or pointed (bottom two ties).

Depending of which side of the dollar bill is facing up when you start folding, you can get a different look. If you start with the black-side of the dollar bill facing up, then the tie will be mostly green.

FYI: The circle with the eagle in it is the "USA coat of arms". The circle with the pyramid in it has no official name. The two circles together are called the "Great Seal of United States".

If you start folding with the green-side of the dollar bill facing up, the bow tie will be mostly black with an image of George Washington at the center.

FYI: The green circle is the "US Treasury Seal"; this and the serial number above it identifies the dollar bill. The black circle with the letter inside it shows where the bill was printed. For example, the letter L means that the money was printed in San Francisco.

OK, that's enough trivia for one day. Let's star folding!

Letter	Location where bill was printed
A B C D E F G H I J K L	Boston New York City Philadelphia Cleveland Richmond Atlanta Chicago St. Louis Minneapolis Kansas City, MO Dallas San Francisco

Instructions for Money Bow Tie

Step 1:

Fold the dollar in half lengthwise. Unfold.

Step 2:

Fold the top-edge and bottom-edge of the dollar bill towards the center.

Step 3:

Turn the model over.

Step 4:

Fold the model in half crosswise.

Unfold.

Turn model over again.

Step 5:

Make a 45 degree angle fold. Make it so the middle of the crease intersects with the central crease made above. The arrowheads show where the middle crease is located.

Unfold.

Step 6:

Repeat on the other side: make a 45-degree angle fold. Make it so the middle of the crease intersects with the central crease made in step 4.

Unfold.

Step 7:

Pinch the dollar bill together at the center (arrowheads). At the same time, bring the left side towards the right. The paper should collapse nicely along the pre-made creases.

This is how it looks like.

Step 8:

Fold the top-layer back to the left. Note the location where the crease will be made.

Step 9:

To lock the paper in this position, fold in the corners as shown.

The paper gets quite thick.

Step 10:

Turn the model over.

Step 11:

Fold the left-side towards the right, note the location of the crease.

Step 12:

As in step 9, lock the model by folding in the corners.

Step 13:

Without undoing the previous folds, bring the top layer back towards the left.

Step 14:

Gently pull the left and right sides apart.

The center will ease open and become a flat square.

If necessary, pinch the locks (green dots) made in step 9 & 12
so the folds don't unravel when you pull the model outwards.

Done! Note the "Great Seal of United States".

This is how the money bow tie would look like if you started with the green-side of the dollar bill facing up.
Note George in the center, the green "US Treasury Seal" and the black circle with the letter indicating location of origin.

Variation

One variation is to have the ends of the bow tie to be pointed.
To achieve this, you only have to add one step.