David Derudas' Farfalla (Butterfly) - Please Help

[Thaedium]

I've been searching for a while for the right butterfly to make, and ever since I've laid eyes on David Deruda's butterfly I've been trying to figure out how to make it.

Having gone straight to the source, the best I could find was his own diagrams found here:

http://digilander.libero.it/oridavid/tecnicafarf.htm

Now I understand that I am new to folding, and that in general, this design is outside of my skill level. However, I was wondering if anyone had a more comprehensive guide to making it. Or if anyone here has made it, and could break it down for me either by referencing David's diagram's or perhaps utilizing some other method.

In case your curious, I've been trying to find the perfect butterfly to make for my girlfriend who wrote a poem about a butterfly. And this one feels like the one she wrote about, hence why I am doggedly pursuing it. My end state plan is to frame the butterfly, and her poem as a gift for her.

Anyhelp would be greatly appreciated.

Well I hope I've posted this topic in the right thread in any case.

I've been slogging away at this and I've gotten through the first page of David's diagram I believe. I'm having trouble following step 8 and figuring out where steps 9 are at exactly.

If anyone has any input, or can work this out and give me a few tips I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks everyone.

[Thaedium]

I've been pondering how to do step 8 and transition to 9. As I look at the remainder of the steps I suspect that perhaps my initial folds in the first step (the wing creases or folds - not sure) are wrong, as it is tough figuring out how to get the wing to match his.

[HankSimon]

Can I re-direct you to some directions that might be clearer ?

http://www.pem.org/sites/origami/
Click on the "Fold more models" button at upper right.
Then click on the butterfly icon that is second from the right.

http://dev.origami.com/diagram_load.cfm ... fly_ml.pdf

And videos: http://www.google.com/search?q=lafosse+ ... CBoQqwQwAw


- Hank Simon

[M Deutsch]

Here's step 5-9

--Edit--
Check the full videos
--Edit--

If you need more help just ask!

[Thaedium]

Thanks M Deutsch, that video would be amazing if I could view it. Seems we require to be a friend of yours on youtube in order to view it.

As for the first part I figured out by zooming in on David's pic's that two of the wing folds were mountain folds and I seem to have gotten that part down pat. My big problem still lies in Step 8, as I am unsure if I am needed to make a reverse fold or not, and where or how exactly I need to fold the wings up.

Hank, I very much appreciate the options. I tried them out and now have a couple really nice looking butterflies, however I still have my heart set on David Derudas, heh.


If you could invite or send me the video via youtube my space is http://www.youtube.com/user/VoLiToL?feature=mhw4

[M Deutsch]

I've made it public, sorry about that!

[Thaedium]

Just watched the video, and I have to say I am thoroughly amazed I absolutely loved it, and I am just about to go give it a go.


To think my day job in the Infantry is playing with guns, and in the evening I'm pining away at Origami. Hah. I have to say though, its rather cathartic.


I can imagine I will need some more assistance with this one a few more steps down the road, but I'll give it a shot before I begger for more help, hah. I've learned quite a bit already working on this one piece alone.


Anyways, thanks again. Hopefully I'll manage to finish one today.

[Thaedium]

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm not using rice paper. I've been experimenting with different papers and sizes, and as the steps progress, many of the finer folds tend to get lost in translations thus far. I can't help but marvel at how crisp yours is in the video and how ragtag my own is.

That aside, I've been making progress. However, I would be grateful if you could put the rest into a video like the one you've already done. As a newcomer, I find I learn so much more then just the individual folds and how it correlates to the diagram. I'm learning finger and hand placement, as well as the nuances that go into making each fold a little more crisp.

Again, thanks for your time and patience with me.

[el señor b]

I would be grateful if you could put the rest into a video

Usually making video diagrams for an entire model requires the permission of the model's designer. (By the way, if you're looking for video diagrams, visit Sarah Adams' webpage)

I suppose it doesn't help that I'm not using rice paper.

Rice paper is not very commonly used in origami. It looks like M Deutsch is using kami (sold as "origami paper" in stores). If you'd like to read a comprehensive overview of origami papers, see Robert Lang's site. If you want your butterflies to look like Derudas', here is his process (machine translated from the Italian):

I take a packet of tissue paper of various colors and plunge it into the water, leaving it for a few seconds so that the colors mix randomly and produce patches on each sheet. Let the paper dry even without separating the different sheets because at this stage they are very delicate and break easily. When the paper is still damp and not completely dry, separate the sheets and put them to dry separately, after which they are ready to be folded.

[Thaedium]

Thanks el señor b, I spent some time reading at Robert Lang's site, and decided to try experimenting with the basic wet-folding technique he describes. My paper choices are limited, and after trying with newspaper ( I discovered all the problems with newspaper that Robert writes about ) and simple computer printer paper I was getting a bit discouraged. Especially since finding any Kami in my area is impossible.

In any case, I had a stack of 65lb weight cover letter paper lying around, and after applying Robert's wet-folding technique it is considerable easier to work with - though still not without its limitations in finer folds.

As far as more video goes, it does not have to be the whole thing. I've persisted and believe I've figured out the remainder. Though watching someone competent in folding would certainly affirm that.

In step 10 of David's diagram there are two seperate portions that need to be achieved - which I believe I have. The rest seemed fairly straight forward.

I am now on steps 14 through 15, which though the diagram makes it appear straightforward enough I hesitate to attempt in order to avoid ruining what I've managed to accomplish thus far.

Anywho, if anyone still has some tips for this one, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[M Deutsch]

Yo Thaedium,

Here is a long LONG rambling (emphasis on rambling. - I do a lot of it.) video about it! Good luck.

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CjhJ-D9KSQo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed>

<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/41uUVTTyMAA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed>

P.S. As I say in the video. I did not get permission from David Deruda as I was unable to contact him. If anyone has his contact information please pass that along to me.

EDIT: They are now private... Lets find some contact information.

[FlareglooM]

M Deutsch, I don't think you should post those videos without the permission. Get the permission first.

[cricketconcerto]

Hello everyone! This is my first visit to this forum, fresh from my first encounter with David Derudas' Farfalla. Upon seeing a picture, I was immediately transfixed and started an attempt.

Unfortunately, I didn't even make it past step two, as I'm completely puzzled by the approach to step three. Now, I'm not a complete paper-folding novice, but obviously I need a lot of help for this one. I realize this particular message board hasn't been touched in over a year, but I'm hoping someone will see it and point me in the right direction.

I tried to convince myself to find another butterfly pattern to work on, but (if you've seen Derudas' pictures, you'll know) all others pale in comparison.

Here's hoping someone can help me!

[oz]

Welcome to the forum!

Step two is depicting an accordion fold, but it's all easy division. Start by folding each wing in half (valley fold), then the top part in half again with another valley fold. The two mountain folds on each wing are halves again, which makes it easy to measure out.

It's much easier to precrease each wing and then collapse it into the accordion shown in step 3. Hopefully this slingshots you further into the model, but if I made it more confusing or you run into more trouble, say so and I'll help you out with pictures and such.

[cricketconcerto]

Hi! Thank you so much for responding -- I'd about given up on this message board, which is why I hadn't noticed your post until now (maybe I can turn on some sort of e-mail notification? I guess I assumed that would happen when someone replied -- so sorry for my delay in response to your input!). I got to about step 7 of the model with (questionable) success, and your tips definitely helped.

At this point, however, I guess I should just stick to easier models. I learn well in person, but seem to have trouble reading/following diagrams... it's frustrating because there are so many patterns out there I would like to learn, but I am finding it very hard to teach myself.

Thanks again for your help, though! I really appreciate it.