Holiday Gift Wrapping: The Origami Way
Sometimes, you find yourself with a rather small present, (like home-made jewellery, etc.) which isn't always worth the hassle of going out and getting the box or bag. Or you just don't want to spend the extra bit of cash on wrapping. It's nice on the environment too you know!
[Image heavy!]
The basics: No fancy paper? No problem
You can just doodle a simple design on 8.5" x 11" paper, old magazines, newsprint. Actually, any rectangular sheet would work.
Start with a rectangular piece of paper.
Fold diagonally, so that the top edge is now aligned with one of the sides, like so.
Cut away the excess, follow the line formed by the triangle. (Or rip, but that takes practice and leaves ruff edges.)
And voila! (Note edges, they're rough)
The Cup
This is the end product. Too bad it doesn't stand up by itself.
Start with a diagonal fold across the square so that you end up with a triangle.
Turn it, so that the fold is towards you. Fold one of the bottom corners up towards the opposite side, so that it rests about halfway along it's length. Repeat with the other corner. Be firm with your folds.
Pull the top layer of paper down from the tip of the resulting pentagon. (Call this the front)
Now, there are a couple of options:
a) To get the same result as the finished photo:
Flip the shape to the back side, and fold down the remaining flap.
b) Or leave the flap as is.
Then, simply pull open the cup, you can use your thumb to help you shape the bottom. Just press down on the center.
You can also seal the cup by folding the back flap over to the front.
The Box
I hope you like fractions.
When folding, the side of the paper on the bottom will mostly be hidden in the finished product.
Fold the piece of paper into thirds, the same way you would fold a letter.
Of the two flaps, fold those in half, back towards the edges of the rectangle.
Fold the resulting shape in half perpendicular to the previous folds, so that the flaps face outward
This next bit can be tricky, so I've added guides. The folding should occur along the previous fold.
Fold down, along the dotted line, then unfold. Do the same to the mirrored side.
Now reach in between the flaps, and pull both sides out as far as they will go. (It may be easier to go one at a time.) Use the folds to help guide their position. FOLD FIRMLY.
Flip and repeat on the other side.
Then fold in the outer flaps. They will meet in the middle. Flip and repeat on the other side.
Pull down the top flaps.
Use them to gently pull the box into shape.
If you plan to seal the box, I suggest you fold the flap inwards prior to placing anything in it.
Mirrored at Dreamwidth
[Image heavy!]
The basics: No fancy paper? No problem
You can just doodle a simple design on 8.5" x 11" paper, old magazines, newsprint. Actually, any rectangular sheet would work.
Start with a rectangular piece of paper.
Fold diagonally, so that the top edge is now aligned with one of the sides, like so.
Cut away the excess, follow the line formed by the triangle. (Or rip, but that takes practice and leaves ruff edges.)
And voila! (Note edges, they're rough)
The Cup
This is the end product. Too bad it doesn't stand up by itself.
Start with a diagonal fold across the square so that you end up with a triangle.
Turn it, so that the fold is towards you. Fold one of the bottom corners up towards the opposite side, so that it rests about halfway along it's length. Repeat with the other corner. Be firm with your folds.
Pull the top layer of paper down from the tip of the resulting pentagon. (Call this the front)
Now, there are a couple of options:
a) To get the same result as the finished photo:
Flip the shape to the back side, and fold down the remaining flap.
b) Or leave the flap as is.
Then, simply pull open the cup, you can use your thumb to help you shape the bottom. Just press down on the center.
You can also seal the cup by folding the back flap over to the front.
The Box
I hope you like fractions.
When folding, the side of the paper on the bottom will mostly be hidden in the finished product.
Fold the piece of paper into thirds, the same way you would fold a letter.
Of the two flaps, fold those in half, back towards the edges of the rectangle.
Fold the resulting shape in half perpendicular to the previous folds, so that the flaps face outward
This next bit can be tricky, so I've added guides. The folding should occur along the previous fold.
Fold down, along the dotted line, then unfold. Do the same to the mirrored side.
Now reach in between the flaps, and pull both sides out as far as they will go. (It may be easier to go one at a time.) Use the folds to help guide their position. FOLD FIRMLY.
Flip and repeat on the other side.
Then fold in the outer flaps. They will meet in the middle. Flip and repeat on the other side.
Pull down the top flaps.
Use them to gently pull the box into shape.
If you plan to seal the box, I suggest you fold the flap inwards prior to placing anything in it.
Mirrored at Dreamwidth