Day 9

While looking for books on origami in my local library, I found a book about making jewellery from folded metal sheets. Not what I thought I was looking for but it contained some really interesting ideas that at least partially solved my problem with making curved folds.

As is often the case, the solution was simple – cut the circle across the folds to release the tension created by the folds. Or start with a cone shape.

By cutting across the folds, the 2 “arms” of paper can slide over each other supporting the curved fold and allowing the paper to form a dome or cone shape.

Adding a second hole:

Joining one of the cuts to the opposite hole creates a very different shape:

And joining both pairs of cuts to the opposite side:

Day 10

What happens if I cut one large and 1 small hole?

Joining the cuts to the opposite side again – just on one side:

And both sides:

Day 11

Adding curves to a square of paper, this piece started with 2 semi-cirles, then I added 2 larger semi-circles:

What if I do the same to a pentagon?

What if I change the sizes of the semi-circles?

Day 12

What if I cut a semi-circle in one of the curves and add extra curved folds?

Joining the 2 sides of the cut causes the middle of the pentagon to dome up even higher:

Day 13

I tried adding more curved pleats to a circle with a cut across the pleats, this was still tricky but worked better than my previous attempts:

Day 14

I don’t know about you but I am finding some of these shapes really exciting! The pentagons and the last of the pleated circles especially so!

Time to make some more felt! 🙂

This is the first of the pentagons with 5 even semicircles around the edges:

Once folded, the corners of the pentagon lift and with felt being more malleable than paper it was very easy to bring the 5 corners towards the centre making this pretty flower shape.

Day 15

revisiting the pentagon with curved pleats on one side – this time in felt

The pleated circle at the front of this image was reluctant to meet at its edges but I am sure I can trim the edges so they line up and could be stitched. I rather the like the bowl shape this piece is forming