The Origami Forum

Alright…So I’ve started to fold a lot lately. I’m working through beginner/intermediate models as to get lots and lots of practice in. It’s going well – for the most part.

If anyone has Montroll’s Teach Yourself Origami, that’s where my questions come from (it’s easiest to reference the issues I’m having straight from there).

First off (again, from the book…), the Mask model. Overall, a very simple model except the rabbit ear folds. The first ones where really easy since I had the whole sheet to work with and no weird orientations/paper layouts. But the eyeballs were very difficult for me to fold. I couldn’t seem to get it for quite some time. I mean, eventually I just kind of got it, but I’m not sure how I did it, or how to reproduce it.

Also, crimp folds. Oh goodness, crimp folds…There’s a section Montroll has labeled as Crimp Fold I, II, and III. Part I is pretty easy, but part II is waaay hard for me. I actually cannot get it. The first three folds aren’t too bad, but the fourth and fifth are impossible for me to get. Like, I know what is being asked of me in terms of folding, but I can’t get it at all. Again, part of it is because of the fact that there’s a bunch of folds already in the paper, so that makes it very difficult to manipulate for me. But also, it’s just a tough fold…

Can someone give me some tips and general how-to’s for those types of folds? After I figure those out, I should be on my way (well, I think there’s a section on double rabbit ears or double crimp folds (something like that) coming up…I’m not sure how well that’s going to go over, ha).

Here’s an attempt at drawing one of the more difficult folds for me (for those without the Montroll book that I’m referencing)

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1241/crimpiv5.jpg

When performing such a fold, preacreasing helps a lot. Try to see the step like two reverse folds in a row and precrease both folds. You can just make one ordinary mountain and one valley fold and switch the direction of the fold on the other side...

Mhm i don't think that sound very clear *g*
I try to make some pictures...

http://picasaweb.google.com/maxigami/Instructions

Greetings
max

Crimp folds are basicly 2 inside ( or outside ) reverse folds. In my opinion, the easiest way to do them is to precrease them, inside reverse fold via the largest crease ( the mountain fold ) and then inside reverse fold the other crease ( valley fold ).

I'm afraid I don't have Montroll's book, so I can't help you with the Mask model.

I bought this book! I have no idea why though. Maybe when someone asks me to teach them origami I'll just shove it in their face.

I actually prefer that crimp over the first one. I think it's much easier and more fun to do. Just slightly open up the model, and push against the spine of the paper, and pivot the point upwards...and what not.

Max wrote:When performing such a fold, preacreasing helps a lot. Try to see the step like two reverse folds in a row and precrease both folds. You can just make one ordinary mountain and one valley fold and switch the direction of the fold on the other side...

Mhm i don't think that sound very clear *g*
I try to make some pictures...

http://picasaweb.google.com/maxigami/Instructions

Greetings
max

Well…hmm. Yeah, that’s exactly the fold I need! And those instructions are awesome, but I can’t really see how to reverse the folds on the other side without screwing up and crinkling the rest of the paper. How’d you manage to do that?

Try searching for video instructions on Youtube. It doesn't seem like descriptions and photo diagrams are helping you very much.

Hmm – alright. I’ll try and youtube it on my lunch break.

It’s not that the descriptions and such aren’t helping, but it’s more that I can’t get the paper to cooperate with me, haha. Not to mention, my little square looks moderately destroyed after finally getting the fold. I need to figure out how to do the various types of crimp folds…I’d imagine they’re all pretty common (rabbit ears, too).

Mhm...you have to open the whole thing to reverse the folds on the other side. Don't know if you already knew that or if that helps...

Don't try to keep the whole model together when performing difficult folds. I always made that mistake in the beginning. I thougt i wouldn't be able to collapse the model again afterwards. But its always harder to make precise folds without opening the model.

Greetings,
max

Thanks for the help!

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1448/crimpwz4.jpg

EDIT: It was the precrease comment and the idea of opening the model up.