The Origami Forum

Hi
Basically I normally fold models with small paper (I often have to give up because my paper is too small) but i think i am at a skill level were i can do some of kamiya's work e.g ancient dragon
But i tried another model with big paper and I had a lot of trouble doing the long folds they somehow curved and were never fully straight, can you help? tips, advice ?

use the full size of your hands instead of only your fingertips. usually people tend to fold with their fingers only but if you use the full palm of your hands, you can cover a lot bigger part of the paper.

makes sense, but I just can't seem to get the fold straight when i am lining it up if you know what i mean, maybe I should use a really big ruler

Do you line up then fold from one edge straight over to the other? That can cause the crease to curve.

I would suggest carefully lining up the fold. Reaching between the layers and make sure theres nothing binding up. Pinch the edges of the crease making sure they are lined up. Then work from the center out slowly.

That's how I do it but with practice and experience you will develop your own method that works for you.

thnks, I guess I just have a lack of experience, and yeah I work from sides in

Has anyone tried using a bone folder (or similar device) to make the crease line before folding it? For example, to fold a diagonal on a large square, line up a straight edge between the opposing corners, run the point of a bone folder along the edge a few times (carefully, so as to not tear the paper!), and then reinforcing the line while making the crease? I've not tried this yet, but it's something I've been planning...

i have one of those! it works but i find if you apply too much pressure the paper is likely to rip if you have to fold a lot around that crease... just use minimal pressure and its great!

I usually use approximation, first you take the part to be folded so you curve it, first very softly and then take the edge line it up and push it with the palms making a very soft crease all along the paper, and finally slowly take the edge to its final place and work from the center out.
The normal techniques are not very useful with very large papers, and the most important part is to work slowly.
You should check the time lapse video of kamiya and the phoenix. It´s very educational.
X

thnks, will do

I start from the middle and work my way to the sides. As long as you know the middle of the fold is accurate than that's half as much work to get the other two folds straight.

And for big lines just break it up more.