MDL0027 - ORIGAMI - SHIRT

Text-Only Instructions

Credits and Resources:

Unfortunately, the original link for this model seems to no longer be available.

If you are aware of any other source where this model or similar might be listed, please let me know so I can reference it under this heading.

Paper to be used: Rectangular, any size; A4 copy paper will work well, to practice with at first.

Folding level: Easy/Beginner

Steps: 10

Description: This is a flat, two-dimensional model, representing a shirt, with collar and short sleeves. It is often folded and used as a card. The front can be decorated while a message can be written on the inside of the fold.

Remarks:

This model can be used in scrap books, on top of gifts, for enclosing cards, notes, money, any small, flat object.

The model is quite secure as long as you do not fill it with things that are heavy or bulky.

Alternatively, a note can simply be folded into this model and decorated for a quick children's project or a personal touch.

The shirt is especially suited for folding for Father's Day, graduation or the birthday of a favorite male friend or family member.

Since it uses a rectangle it can also be folded from a bank note or bill as a gift or tip.

If using two-sided paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side down before starting to fold.

Step 1

Place a rectangular piece of paper down on a hard, flat surface, with the short edges at the top and bottom or in portrait orientation.

Step 2

Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge to create a vertical center crease line. Crease and unfold.

Step 3

Now fold the left and right edges to meet in the center. Crease and leave folded.

You will have a rectangular piece of paper with two flaps meeting each other along the entire vertical center line of the model.

Step 4

Grasp the top left flap that is lying along the vertical center of the model and fold it to the left and a little downwards, past the left edge of the model, and press it flat at an angle to form your first sleeve. 

The exact angle of this fold is not critical, as long as you fold out the right sleeve at more or less the same angle.

The sleeves should be large enough so they will poke out on the sides of the shirt when you turn the paper over.

Step 5

Repeat with the right flap. Press flat. 

Your sleeves have now been formed. They will look like two triangles jutting out on both sides of your rectangle.

Step 6

Still keeping your model flat on your folding surface, rotate it 180 degrees so that the sleeves are now nearest you. You will be working on the side of the paper farthest from you in the next step, creating the shoulders and collar of your shirt.

Step 7

To make the collar, focus on the single-layered flaps that come together at the vertical top center of the model. Fold the left and right corners down and outward to form the collar.  at the center of the paper. These flaps should be much smaller than the sleeves of your shirt. They will only reach about halfway to the edge of the paper.

Step 8

Also fold over the very top edge of the shirt, the part which is sticking out above the collar,  using a mountain fold.

Step 9

If preferred, shape the collar more by using a mountain crease to fold the top, outer corners of your model away from you or to the back. This makes the shoulder area a little rounder, but it is entirely optional.

Step 10

Lastly, close your rectangle by folding the bottom of the model upwards, tucking the bottom edge under the collar area of your shirt.

Fold the paper as far up as it will go. The points of the collar will just poke over the edge you have folded up.

Make a strong horizontal crease at the bottom edge of the paper to complete your origami shirt and decorate as preferred.

Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text instructions.

for non-commercial use only.

Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, February 2014

Revised: June 2022

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