5 Toilet Paper Origami

Toilet Paper Origami

DELIGHT YOUR GUESTS WITH FANCY FOLDS AND SIMPLE SURFACE EMBELLISHMENTS

LINDA WRIGHT

To my loving in-laws, Dolores and Bill
www.tporigami.com

Copyright © 2008-2012 Linda Wright
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, mechanically,
electronically, or by any other means, without prior written permission from the

publisher.
Edition 2.0

Lindaloo Enterprises
Santa Barbara, CA
[email protected]
ISBN: 9780980092349 (ebook)

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Hearts, flowers and fans—butterflies, boats and bunnies—it’s all possible with
toilet paper! With little effort, a roll of bath tissue can be transformed into a

delightful focal point using the charming, elegant and whimsical designs in this
collection.

~~~

Toilet Paper Origami is Perfect for Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Cruise Ships and
Creative Housekeepers ~~~

Toilet Paper Origami is Fun for Crafters of All Ages.

~~~

Illustrated with more than 300 photographs, step-by-step instructions teach 30
easy yet eye-catching folds and embellishments for styling the end of a toilet

paper roll.

~~~

Discover how simple it can be to make a memorable decoration from a bathroom
essential.

CONTENTS

introduction
point
fan

nature’s vase
marquis

rambling rose
montecito

sail boat afloat
eyelet

crowning glory
butterfly
jackrabbit
braid

heart in a sleeve
rosette
fanfair

flower pot
pleated point

bow
pleated ear bunny
paperwhite in a point
banner on the bias

magnolia
fandangle
rosebud
swimming whale
swanky hanky
sunburst

angel

punched work
stickers
the end

INTRODUCTION

Several years ago while dining out, I made my usual trip to check out the restroom. At the time, I was
researching for my book, Skip to the Loo! Writing a book about restrooms had me conditioned to visit every
lavatory in my travels—whether nature was calling or not. Always checking for the details, I was charmed
at this particular inn by a fancy-folded auxiliary roll of toilet paper. Perched sideways on the toilet tank, it
was an assembly of pleats in a little pocket. It looked very regal—and it touched me that the housekeeper
had taken the time to spruce up such an amenity. I had seen cloth napkins and bath towels folded
decoratively before, but never a toilet paper treatment other than the point commonly seen at hotels. I tore
the end off, and tucked it in my purse to study later at home.

Once I dissected and mastered that design, I began to explore more possibilities, and once I started, I
couldn’t stop. I have always enjoyed creating with textiles, and I found that toilet paper handled in a similar
manner to fabric. With my intrigue piqued for this ever-so-humble and easy-access medium, my husband
tolerated toilet paper all over the house for months while I folded up a storm whenever I got an inspiration.
There was something about the quirkiness of the craft that I loved, but I also found it to be quite cute—and
in some cases, even beautiful.

As the name implies, toilet paper origami is the decorative folding of toilet paper. It can be done to
paper that is still on the roll, or to sections that have been torn off. No prior origami experience is needed,
and no origami lingo is used in this book. Most of the designs in my collection are quite easy—and very
forgiving. Approximate measurements for the depth of folds are given at times, but by no means is the use
of a ruler expected. Toilet paper origami is meant to be folded quickly. As a gauge, it is helpful to know that
one square, or sheet of toilet paper between perforations, measures 4 inches in the lengthwise direction. It is
also helpful to know that toilet paper “squares” are not perfectly square. For the most part, all that is
required is a roll of toilet paper, though several styles use simple extra supplies. Any type of toilet paper
will do, but you are bound to develop favorites. To learn about my preferences, visit my website
at www.tporigami.com.

As you fold, always look to the next photo. It will help you understand where you are going. Keep in
mind that each instructional photograph has its corresponding text directly below the photo. I recommend
setting your e-reader’s text size so that all text remains on the same page with its photo. If your device has
the capacity to display two pages at once, that can be beneficial.

Once you learn the basics of toilet paper origami, you can experiment by mixing and matching
components: for example, put real flowers or a fan in the flower pot, or make a sticker for the bunny’s face.
For more of my designs, see the sequel to this book, Toilet Paper Origami On a Roll. Above all, bring your
sense of humor to the table, because, after all, this is toilet paper you’re folding! Like the napkins my son
folds each Thanksgiving to look like chickens, toilet paper origami is meant to be admired…and then used.

Whether you are in the hospitality business or a hostess with the mostess, toilet paper origami is
guaranteed to make a memorable impression. Happy folding—and may you be flush with success!

POINT

A classic symbol of hospitality, the point is widely used at hotels to communicate
that the bathroom has been cleaned. This simple fold is a building block for
many other designs.

1. Unwind a short length of paper, as shown. Fold top right corner down to left
edge.

2. Fold tip to right corner.

3. Lay folded end back onto roll and arrange so that point hangs nicely.

4. Point is finished.

FAN

Fanfolds, also called accordion folds or pleats, recur in numerous designs. For
the sharpest pleats, use toilet paper with recycled content.

1. Unwind 2 or 3 squares. Fold the raw edge under about ½ inch.

2. Continue to fanfold until you have pleated 2 squares.

3. Stack the pleats and place them on top of the roll.

4. Crease stack at center by folding the sides up. Pinch the crease tightly to
strengthen the fold.

5. Gently release pleats, flipping your work so that open end of fan points
downward. Arrange folds into a pretty fan shape.

6. Fan is finished.

Tip: Fanfolding, or pleating, refers to a zigzag fold in which parallel folds of
equal width are made in the manner of an accordion.

NATURE’S VASE

This easy design creates a vessel to fill with flowers or foliage—real or silk.
Using an aromatic herb such as lavender provides the bonus of fragrance.

1. Vase: Fold raw edge up to meet the first perforation (a 2-inch fold), then fold
it up again.

2. Fold the right and left corners under, adjusting the folds to make a centered
and symmetric vase.

3. Rewind roll by grasping the end between your index and middle fingers while
applying gentle tension with your other hand.

4. Put the flowers or foliage of your choice into the vase.

5. Nature’s Vase is finished.

Tips: The size of the folds in Step 1 determines the depth of your vase. These
folds can be adjusted to match the length of your inserts. Use floral tape if you

need to secure the stems of your little bouquet.

MARQUIS

A diamond in the rough

1. Unwind a short length of toilet paper. Fold right corner up to meet left edge.

2. Fold tip to meet right corner.

3. Fold and unfold Point A to Point B to make a center crease.

4. Insert index finger into top right layer. Raise right half of triangle to vertical.

5. Press left side of triangle with thumb to hold paper down and keep center
crease in place. Position diamond shape at center of roll.

6. Flatten into place.

7. Marquis is finished.

RAMBLING ROSE

Additional supply: hand lotion or fingertip moistener (available at office supply
stores)

1. Leaf: Tear off 1 square. Fold Point A to Point B. (Toilet paper is not a perfect
square, so the sides will not match up exactly.)

2. Fold Points A and B to Point C.

3. Push and pucker the paper along the dotted line with your fingertips until the
end points meet. Twist the lower end tightly to form a stem.

4. Set leaf aside.

5. Stem Wrap: Tear off 2 or 3 squares. (The optimal length will vary with
different toilet papers.) Fold in half lengthwise.

6. Fold in half again.

7. Set stem wrap aside.

8. Flower: Tear off 6 squares. Moisten your fingertips with an office product
such as Sortkwik or hand lotion.

9. Start rolling one lengthwise edge of the strip. Roll tightly, just enough to hide
the raw edge. (I like to roll with my right thumb and middle finger.)

10. Continue to roll down the entire length of one side.

11. Flip strip so that the rolled edge is facing away from you. Start shaping the
rose by puckering the middle of the strip (as shown).

12. Now, gradually shorten the length of the strip and create fullness by working
the paper in a push—pucker—push—pucker manner.

13. Work in a circular fashion—around and around. Shape the rose as you go.

14. Practice makes perfect! (Rambling Rose is the most difficult style in this
book. It may take a few tries to get the feel of it.)

15. When the entire strip is puckered into a pretty flower shape, pinch and twist
the bottom half to compress the paper as much as possible.

16. Create a stem: Place stem wrap at the base of the flower. Begin wrapping—
tightly but gently.