Instructions to recreate the origami lotus prop used in SHERLOCK

The beautiful origami lotus is much simpler than it looks and will look identical to the actual prop used! In our ten easy steps below we will show you how to recreate your very own SHERLOCK prop from episode two of series one; THE BLIND BANKER.

It will be easier for you to recreate the lotus flower if you use real origami paper, as it is more flexible than regular paper, as step 7 (see below) can sometimes make the paper rip if it is too brittle.

Genuine origami paper should be available at your local craft shop or you find it easily online. Of course to make it really authentic, don’t forget to buy the black variety!

1. Start with white side up. Fold diagonally both ways and open.

2. Fold each corner into the centre.

3. Fold each corner into the centre once again.

4. For a third time, fold each corner into the centre.

5. Turn model over and fold each corner into the centre.

6. Fold each corner inwards a small amount.

7. To form the petals, press down on the point shown, while slowly pulling the petal from behind, to the front. It’s almost like turning the corner ‘inside out’. Repeat on all corners.

8. The second set of petals are formed the same way, but the corner from the point shown.

9. The third set doesn’t need to be turned ‘inside out’, just folded normally from below the first set.

10. And now you have your finished Black Lotus flower, just like the one in the episode THE BLIND BANKER

For a printable pdf version of the lotus instructions, you can download it here.

N.B. You will need Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to open the .pdf file. You can get Adobe Reader here.