FANCY LETTER FOLD

This Letter Fold is a little more complicated than the previous collection.  I would not recommend it for beginners.  There are a lot of steps, some squash folds, sinks, pushes, reverse folds and refolds . Trying to remember how to fold them without prompts led to a lot of mistakes and a lot of frustration.

 I made quite a few models along the way, mostly because I kept mangling the paper while trying to recall how I had folded it before.  It didn't help that I had made a couple of models with the creases marked in colored pencil and the folds reinforced so that  (at least theoretically) they models should refold themselves.  Ha ha, not funny. 

It took me two days (or was it three) to make a set of Step Folds .  I actually got the Step Folds wrong the first time around (the colors were the wrong way around on one of the ends).  I had to redo them today. 

Once you get the hang of it the model only takes about ten to fifteen minutes to fold.   The first attempt with unfamiliar instructions will take longer. 

There are couple of tricks-of-the-trade that I will teach in classes that are too complicated to put into diagrammed instructions.  They create greater accuracy and neater folds. If you are an old folder you will figure them out for yourself.  

The model ends up as a long pleated strip that is connected together at the ends.  The two ends are connected across the center line and covered by the diamonds in the center of the "bow".  The pleated ring is squashed flat so that the decoration is mid center.  It will stay flat  provided that you are using ordinary weight writing paper rather than wallpaper or thick paper, both of which try to bounce back into a ring shape.  Warning: the model is not suitable for cheap letter head paper which will crack and tear.  This goes for cheap wrapping paper that will also crack. 

The only part of the writing surface that is visible is the part that makes the outer part of the bows.

The model is connected together in two different ways.

There are a couple of triangles on the back of the decoration.  A single layer triangle is fitted inside a double layer triangle, which is then bent down.  The triangles that you can see at the tip of the models below is the double "female" triangle.  The tab (male) triangle (not shown here) is on the other end or the paper strip.

The model is further secured with a couple of tabs that are pushed between the layers of the double triangle.  The connection is fairly secure but still comes apart fairly easily when gently pulled. 

You may agree that the end result is worth all the effort 

There are a number of variations.   Here is a sample of what can be done with the end that has the decorative center part on it.  There are other variations not shown here, including a set of hearts in the middle.  

Some of these variations are easier to undo quickly than others.  Bear that in mind when deciding which one to use for your special friend.  You don't want a letter fold than looks good but is ripped open because the reader cannot figure out how to pull it apart quickly.

I am not going to bother providing the Crease Pattern for this model.  Unless you are of the caliber of Robert Lang you will not be able to figure out what to do with it.  So if you want to fold this model you will just have to wait until I finish the diagrammed instructions.  I'll let you know when that happens.  It will not be tomorrow and maybe not even next week.  I anticipate having to do a fair bit of hand drawing in order to make the tricky parts clear.  Be patient.

WALLET LETTER FOLD

Today we continue with more letter folds.  

I've called this one the Wallet Letter Fold because it has similarities to one of my origami wallets.  Unlike the real wallet, this fold does not have sides;  it is for letters only.

 The model is based on squares with sides that are equivalent to a quarter of the width of the paper.  There are two rows of these at the "bottom" of the sheet, and two rows of them at the "top" of the sheet.  The creases that don't fit this pattern (marked in orange and green instead of red and blue) are made in the last couple of steps when the model is folded in half.  They occur because, as you may have figured out by now, you are working with paper that is rectangular and not the traditional origami square.  

To help you figure out how this folds up, here is a diagram from my instruction sheet (which will you will be able to buy from my Etsy Shop very, very soon). 

You are not restricted to using standard letter sheets or letter head.  You can use any sheet of paper that has at least one side that you can write, print or draw on.   The examples shown at the beginning of this entry show letterhead paper (left), sturdy wrapping paper (not the thin stuff that crumples and cracks) (top) and wallpaper - the kind that is not pre-pasted and is crisp enough to hold a crease (right).  

 Nor are you restricted to writing letters on your carefully folded sheets.  You can use these letter folds for paper that contains recipes, instructions, poems, drawings, paintings, music manuscript, graphs, formulae, puzzles, and so much more.  Be creative! 

CENTRAL CROSS LETTERFOLDS

These letter folds are almost identical.  They have different additional crease patterns with the easier version having a lot more of them.





Here is the easier version (Type One).

The angled flaps are derived by folding a diagonal from the edges of the outside columns and then reflecting a marker crease from the orthogonal direction.

And here is the cleaner but slightly more difficult version (Type Two). 

This time the angled flaps are derived from diagonals that are creased between sections that are an eighth of the overall height or width.  To that end the pre-creasing divides the sheet into eight in both directions.




















Since publishing this blog I discovered that this design was first invented by Romie Halabaso from the Philippines.  The diagrams and crease pattern do not appear to be in the public domain so I cannot tell whether our patterns are identical or not.

You will find Romie's letter fold here:
http://www.origami-resource-center.com/letter-envelope.html

OFFSET X LETTERFOLD

This model has two versions with a couple of slightly different folding methods for the first one.  They look very similar and they are all simple to fold.

The main difference is in the the length and angle of the offset flaps, and the secondary difference is the pattern of crease marks on the front and back of the folded letter.



VERSION ONE (Wide offset flaps).

This version has flaps that come more than half way across their quarter square. The front of the letter has additional creases on the diagonals but none on the back.

This alternative crease pattern has a slightly different way of deriving the creases for the tuck-under flaps.  The result looks the same from the front but there is an X crease pattern on the back.  It is only minimally easier to fold.

Take your pick. Use whatever floats your boat.







VERSION TWO (Narrower offset flaps)

This is the easiest version to fold.  The flap is exactly half of the width of its square and the slope is therefore steeper than Version 1.  The detraction is that it has a busier pattern of creased squares on the front. 

SIMPLE X LETTERFOLD

This is a plain and simple fold.  It lends itself well to letter head paper with a contrasting border which becomes the focal point of the folding. 

It looks like a standard oblong envelope.  It it were not for the diagonal edges, that could catch on sorting machinery,  you could send this letter fold through the standard mail system. 

If you really want to do this then I suggest that you pack it inside a standard envelope. 

Alternatively you could make a transparent one with Gorilla Glue and clear Grafix Dura-Lar, Dura-Lar is an acetate alternative that holds a crease, unlike many other plastic type materials. Unlike acetate, it does not crack, tear or chip.  It is wonderful stuff for origami enthusiasts. If you live in the United States, you can buy small amounts from Dick Blick stores or larger amounts directly from the Grafix web site.  I imagine there are similar materials available in other countries.

Pre-crease you model before folding.  Then follow the directions for collapsing it.  If you start where indicated you will have a much easier time tucking the last corner under the adjacent folds. 

There are few more tricks which improve accuracy and ease of folding.  These are shared in the full set of diagrammed instructions which is now ready.  If you are a seasoned folder you will most likely discover them for yourself as you try out the model. 

THE CRISSCROSS LETTERFOLDS

This letter fold is not a quick and easy one.  It will take you several minutes and involve you in some folds that require accuracy to work well.  The effect, however, is rather good.  Use it for that special person that you want to impress.

The front view is on the left of this page while the back view is on the right.

The brown paper that I have used to demonstrate the model here is the same basic color on both sides.  The front differs by having a slight shine, some green leaves in one corner and dark brown edges.
It does not give a good indication of how the model will look with paper that has a different color on both sides. 

A large section of the "back side" of the paper is apparent (on the back of the model.)  The only part of the "front side" of the paper that shows is the border areas.  Write on the colored side of the paper for this model, leaving wide margins.

Here is the Crease Pattern for the basic model.

I have included a few instructions and explanations on the CP.  It is not particularly intuitive, however.   I am working on the diagrams. 

Fold from the colored side.

Start with the horizontal and vertical creases on the mid-line.  Divide the model in 4 equal sections lengthwise. Turn the end corners over to make creases.  You will need these later.
Use the folded corners to make a crease that will give you an edge column on the short side that is the same width as the edge column on the long side. Use this crease as a marker to make the diagonals that will be your outside edges on the completed model.  Leave folded.

Hold the flaps down firmly and refold the edge column through both layers.  Accuracy is very important here.

You should now have two creases that define the edge of the central column that consists of the paper that is in excess of the perfect square formed by the side pieces.  Fold these creases to the center line, making a crease between them:  valley, mountain, central, mountain, valley folds.  Collapse the central column.  Leave the locking creases for later or you will probably be tempted to crease them at 45 degrees. Don't.  This will result in excess bulk during the next steps and make it difficult to make a flat model rather than a strained one. 

Now we start the final collapse.  Turn over the outside edges (which will lock your central column well enough).  Just fold the corners flat at this point.  Fold the corners to the center of the model, one at a time.  Crease from the center point to the outer edge, not the other way around.  The want those corners to meet in the middle.

You have now made enough creases to make the lock folds accurately.  You can unfold the model and put these in at this stage, if you want.  They make the overturned corners on the back of the model look neater.  However, they make the model hard to open quickly, which is what you generally want to do with letters. 

Having done that (or not) fold the edges over again and bring the corners to the center.  Now make the corner flaps into windmill ends.  (Collapse on the lines in the diagram if you are unsure how to do this.) Two of these flaps will rest on the central column so that the ends can be tucked under it.  Pick one and tuck the end firmly under the central column.  Folding clockwise, place the adjacent  corner over the top of the one you just tucked under the column.  Fold the next corner over this one and tuck its flap firmly under the central column also.  Thread the final corner under the flap you first folded. 

That's it.  If you want to make your model stay really flat, place a slightly damp cloth over the top and iron through this.  That should fix it. 

Open it up.  Write a nice note to a friend or lover, refold, and send or deliver the letter.

 (It this is as clear as dishwater you may want to purchase the diagrammed instructions for a couple of dollars after I've finished them and posted them on my Ori-Berry-Gami shop on  ETSY.)  It will be up and running in a few more days



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VARIATION ONE.

The model works for A4 but the fold over flaps are fairly small.  This variation provides longer flaps, and looks a little more like a windmill.

The folding is the same except for the way in which the corner edges are folded.  Consult the crease pattern to see where the creases are and what your reference points are.  After you've done one the others will be easy.  After you fold the long diagonal line the shorter line will appear by magic as soon as you flatten the corner. 

Collapse the front as before.  This time you will have a larger flap to tuck under the central column which will make it more secure. 

 Here is the crease pattern for this one.  Note the differences. 



OTHER VARIATIONS.

You can modify the basic pattern in other ways as well.  Here are some examples.

GABLE LETTER FOLD

The front of this letter fold looks a little bit like the end of a gable roof, hence the name.

      Here is the back view.

This is another very easy model.  All it requires are a few cupboard folds, a hem and some corner bending.  Then it gets folded in half and one end gets pushed under the hem of the other. Easy!

The crease that makes the model look like a roof is made by running a nail over the top sheet of paper to accent the outline of the end that has been pushed under it:  a triangle with a flat top.

Usually the paper does not push all the way in so you get a little ridge at the bottom.  Think of it as roof spouting!    


The samples are made with American Letter sized paper but the pattern should work with A4 and probably with slightly different sized rectangles. 


Here is the Crease Pattern for this model.  This will help you create a letter fold with the colored side out and the gable roof end in white.  If you want to reverse this and make one with the colored side accented at the top, then start folding with the colored side up.

If you cannot see the crease marks easily on patterned paper then fold most of the model from the white side and then reverse the creases before you do the final fold and tuck the ends together.

Enjoy.

DEAD SIMPLE LETTER FOLD

This letter fold is really very easy.  The only tricky bit is pushing the last flap under the adjacent one.

It should be reasonably clear how to fold this from the crease pattern but here are some hints. 

Divide the paper into four equal columns in both directions. 





During the cupboard folds you will use to get the outer creases fold over the corners as indicated.  Unless you are using very thin paper it helps the collapse process if you don't fold the corners quite to their marker creases. Leave a slight gap so that the paper does not buckle when you fold the sides in during the final collapse.

Open the whole thing up and start collapsing by refolding in a clockwise direction.

With this crease pattern in this orientation start collapsing by folding over the right hand column.  Then refold the corner crease.  Next fold over the bottom panel.  Then fold over the corner crease.  Fold over the left hand column and then refold its corner.  Folding the upper panel over is a little tricky because it has to go under the right hand column and a mountain crease has to be flattened.  The final fold is tucking under the last corner. 

DOUBLE DIAMOND LETTER FOLD

The Double Diamond Letter Fold is really quite easy to fold although it may look deceptively difficult.   Here is the crease pattern.

The marker creases, shown in grey on this diagram, add to the charm of the model so there is no need to make them soft. 

RIBBON BOW LETTER FOLD - Part Two

I tried out the Ribbon Bow Letter Fold on an A4 sheet

 And a sheet of American Legal sized paper.

Both of these paper sizes works well with this model.  The longer the paper, the longer the straight section at the end of the bow "loops".   I particularly like the effect with the legal sized paper which is the one to use if you want to write a looooonnnnng one sheet letter to a friend or lover. 

RIBBON BOW LETTER FOLD

Today's letter fold is shaped like a bow made from ribbon, so I have called it the Ribbon Bow Letter Fold. 

It can be made plainly, or it can be made with accented creases so that it looks a little more interesting.








The Crease Pattern is shown on a cupboard folded sheet of American Letter sized paper since the preceding folds are simply preparatory for the main ones and a standard raw crease pattern is unnecessarily complex. 

Make your final fold in the middle of the space between the bases of the small and large triangles,  as marked on the pattern.

The bow will also work with A4 and American Legal sized sheets, in which case and you will get more shaping on the "loop"sections.

Enjoy!

BROKEN_MENDED HEART

The letter fold in the last posting was shown with a heart poked in the front pocket.

Here are some samples of the version I have been using.

 

I have long been a fan of Edwin Young's Broken-Mended Heart.  http://faculty.purchase.edu/jeanine.meyer/origami/oriheart.htm

The problem with Young's original version is that it cannot be viewed from two sides. Sinking the folds means that the two sides come apart rather too easily.  I have modified Young's model so that these problems are resolved.   


Here is a Crease Pattern incorporating these changes.

Here are some hints on how to fold the relevant modifications. 

The tabs shown in Step 6 are pushed into the corresponding pockets on the opposite side when the model is collapsed. This stops the model from coming apart easily.

The tabs shown in the last steps are tucked into pockets on the top of the heart.   This method shapes the heart so that it appears more natural at both stages of the breaking and mending process.  Young's version looks oddly flattened on one of the two positions.

These diagrams are taken from my full length Instruction PDF which will shortly be on sale at my new ETSI Shop.   I will post a link to that site when it is up and running.  

ETSI does not provide an electronic down load function. Purchased items have to be physically emailed at some point after the seller gets the information from ETSI.  That can take hours to days.   Other options require a Web Page but, as I have already mentioned, our server is crashing and needs replacing with a more reliable model.   We intend to get around the problem by writing (and testing) a script that will email the purchased items instantly.  

It should take about a week to iron out all the problems.  From that point expect to see a LOT of diagrams suddenly become available for items that have been featured on this Blog, and a whole lot of other creations that has not been mentioned.