Problems with folding...

pitboss · Post by **pitboss** » July 14th, 2007, 1:14 am

Hi, I used to do Origami quite frequently a few years back, and just re-started not long ago. I had a problem then that I am still having, finding things that are challenging to fold using the materials that I have.

Whenever I find a model to fold that I like, I find out (usually too late) that the model won't work because of the paper I am using. Because of where I live, I have no access to real origami paper, so I am forced to use regular 20lb 8.5"x11" printer paper. I've been finding that it restricts what I can do considerably, because the paper is almost always too small, or is too stiff and results in a very wrinkled end-product.

Is there a general way to guess if the paper I am using will be big enough? Or is there another kind of paper that I can use that will give me better results? One thought I had was gift-wrapping paper, but I didn't want to go buy a whole roll only to find out that it wouldn't work. I also read something about "floral foil," does anyone know what that is?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me, I love folding Cranes (they are really the only thing I've done that comes out well with printer paper), but they do get a little boring after a while!

Post by **origami_8** » July 14th, 2007, 1:48 am

Check out the following threads. I know they are pretty huge, but they contain a lot of useful information. As for the wrapping paper, there are many different kinds and it´s hard to say if a paper will work or not but as a rule of thumb you can say, when the backside of the paper feels a little bit rough-textured it´s usually working fine.

viewtopic.php?t=3085
viewtopic.php?t=764
viewtopic.php?t=49
viewtopic.php?t=2398

To make the crane folding a little less boring, you can try to fold them with a different method: http://www.origamiaustria.at/articles/crane.pdf
Have fun

pitboss · Post by **pitboss** » July 14th, 2007, 2:42 am

Based on what I saw of the tissue foil, it looks like it just uses regular cooking foil, is that accurate? Would the foil work on its own, or is the tissue paper necessary?

Thanks for all of the links, I've gotten a lot of new ideas that had never occured to me before.

origamimasterjared · Post by **origamimasterjared** » July 14th, 2007, 3:22 am

It's really really hard to fold aluminum foil. You really do need to back at least one side of it with some kind of paper.

Other kinds of paper you can try are glassine paper, kraft paper, 11x17 printer paper, looseleaf notebook paper, etc.

And only having plain bond paper to work with is no excuse. There are probably upwards of 200 posts on this forum of crap Cupcake folded from regular printer paper.

JeossMayhem · Post by **JeossMayhem** » July 14th, 2007, 4:56 am

It shouldn't be that hard to find paper supplies... I visit my dollar store to buy aluminum, tissue, and wrapping paper, but I'm just assuming you're not living in a miniscule town. Make your own paper. You'll love it. Or just experiment.

pitboss · Post by **pitboss** » July 14th, 2007, 6:13 am

origamimasterjared wrote:And only having plain bond paper to work with is no excuse. There are probably upwards of 200 posts on this forum of crap Cupcake folded from regular printer paper.

The problem isn't being unable to come up with something to fold. I've found a lot of things that I would like to do. The problem is that the paper at my disposal produces frustrating results. A few days ago, I barely managed to do Joseph Wu's Great White Shark, but the result was not as impressive as it should have been...because the paper I was using kept bunching up, and becoming impossible to fold in some places.

To JeossMayhem: The area I live in apparently hates Origami, I did an internet search for stores where I could buy Origami supplies, the only thing that came up was a kite store in Denver...which at 150 miles is quite a way to go for a roll of kite paper

I'll give wrapping paper a shot first, and see how that turns out. Have you ever used "florist foil?" I've only ever seen it mentioned once for one model, and I didn't know if it was good for anything other than that one.

Thanks for the replies!

Post by **origami_8** » July 14th, 2007, 8:21 am

Since you live in the USA, ordering from Kim´s Crane would be an option. That´s the largest Origami online supply but unfortunately the conditions for international custumers are really bad

origamimasterjared · Post by **origamimasterjared** » July 14th, 2007, 8:45 am

pitboss wrote:The area I live in apparently hates Origami, I did an internet search for stores where I could buy Origami supplies, the only thing that came up was a kite store in Denver...which at 150 miles is quite a way to go for a roll of kite paper I'll give wrapping paper a shot first, and see how that turns out. Have you ever used "florist foil?" I've only ever seen it mentioned once for one model, and I didn't know if it was good for anything other than that one.

Try art stores, like Michael's, and teacher supply stores. THey may or may not have origami paper. Also, you can order stuff online.

I used to use florist foil. It's got advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: it's foil, so it will definitely hold a crease/form, it's really strong because of the plastic and will not tear. Disadvantage: it's not paper, it is impossible to reverse a crease, layers do not scrunch together well, so you're not gonna get nice thin flaps, etc.

pitboss · Post by **pitboss** » July 14th, 2007, 8:10 pm

So funny thing happened today, I was at our local bookstore looking for something for school, and came across the hobby aisle. I found a few (really high priced) origami books, and then tucked in the corner of the shelf, a few packages of origami paper mixed in with the scrapbooking stuff. So, know I've got a little over 200 sheets of paper in varying colors, patterns, and sizes for about $30. I probably paid too much, but it's nice to have a good supply that should last a little while.