The Origami Forum

I have an idea for a model, but in order to make that model I need to start with what I'm showing in the picture. I used two pieces of paper and glue so I could show you guys. Can you please help me come up with a way to fold that?... Is it possible?



The size of that strip in relation to the sheet isn't as important, but the proportions of the strip must be something close to 8 x 1. I suppose I need a graft at the center of the sheet. Not sure. That was how I made the base for my original model: Lever, but I don't see it so easy since this time I need to end up with a long strip instead of a triangular prism:



What do you think?

If I’m understanding you correctly, you essentially want to make two middle flaps in the sheet. Unfortunately there’s no efficient way to do this, and the ways that do exist won’t give you a seamless result.

Thanks Baltorigamist! Yeah exactly, two middle flaps. Well I definitely wasn't expecting a seamless result. How inefficient and how "seamful" would it be?

It might be easier (and result would probably be less bulky too) to fold strips from edges or corners than from the center.

Maybe you can try to fold the left and right edges of your paper over the center line (like an overlapping cupboard fold) and fold those strips you want from these edges of the paper.
A bit like the principle used for getting the bird in the middle of the water in Kamiya Satoshi's "Splash" model.

(But that means that your starting paper will perhaps need to be a (long) rectangle instead of a square - if that matters for your design. Also, unwanted color-change could be an issue. Also, I can't design anything so my suggestions are probably inadequate.)

Gerardo -> If you’ve read Origami Design Secrets, there’s a chapter on boxpleating that covers middle flaps. I don’t have my copy with me right now, but it would explain everything. (And if you haven’t read it, you’ll just need a cross-shaped strip graft in the center. Divide the graft into ~8ths each way (4ths on each side), and that will get you one middle flap. A second graft in one direction will give you the other.) It’s fairly “seamless,” but you’ll have pleats running down the middle of the sheet in all directions.
Kabuntan, I like your idea too. It would be less efficient depending on Gerardo’s needs, but it’s very creative. (Give designing a try sometime as well—you might surprise yourself. )

you would have to change the proportions to get what you want but something like this is pretty easy to fold https://imgur.com/bZAk9Z2

Thank you guys! I'll consider all three options. Hopefully I'll eventually have a model to show you .

Can you please tell me what did I do wrong with FoldSkate's crease pattern?

FoldSkate wrote:you would have to change the proportions to get what you want but something like this is pretty easy to fold https://imgur.com/bZAk9Z2

Baltorigamist wrote:Gerardo -> If you’ve read Origami Design Secrets, there’s a chapter on boxpleating that covers middle flaps. I don’t have my copy with me right now, but it would explain everything. (And if you haven’t read it, you’ll just need a cross-shaped strip graft in the center. Divide the graft into ~8ths each way (4ths on each side), and that will get you one middle flap. A second graft in one direction will give you the other.) It’s fairly “seamless,” but you’ll have pleats running down the middle of the sheet in all directions (...)

Baltorigamist, I don't have a copy of the book. Would you please explain to me how to make the flap from the cross-shaped graft? Could you maybe take a couple of step-by-step pictures?

Thanks in advance Baltorigamist.

sorry i drew the creasepattern a little bit wrong, this should work for one side https://imgur.com/rkwbf5A

Gerardo, I actually don’t have anything to fold an example with, but I can try to draw a rough crease pattern if I can get some scrap paper.
It involves making a waterbomb from the center of the crossed grafts and reverse-folding in and out on the pleats.

Thanks FoldSkate!

I'd appreciate that Baltorigamist.