Q&A for How to Make an Origami Chair

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  • Question
    What advice do you have for someone who's trying to get started doing origami as a beginner?
    Robert Homayoon
    Origami Expert
    Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013.
    Origami Expert
    Expert Answer
    Get a couple of books, they teach you the basic folds, learning valley folds, learning mountain folds, working on your hand coordination skills, and being precise. You want to take your time. Try to be as accurate as possible with the instructions. It's a good idea to watch videos in conjunction with reading books because you could get more information and see someone folding.
  • Question
    What if you don't have 6-inch paper?
    Community Answer
    Use normal A4 paper and measure it with a ruler to 6 inches. Cut or fold it.
  • Question
    How do I build a life size one? Do I do the same thing?
    Community Answer
    Yep, just more paper, more patience, and more people. It will be considerably harder and you'll need very large pieces of paper.
  • Question
    How do I make the flaps stronger?
    Community Answer
    You can glue or tape the flaps as you go along. Stronger paper like construction paper will also make a flap stronger.
  • Question
    How do people learn how to do this in the first place?
    Community Answer
    Everything is invented or discovered by someone. Someone who does origami probably experimented with different ways of folding and came across this method.
  • Question
    Can I use normal notebook paper without using a ruler to measure the size?
    Community Answer
    No, as the paper needs to be square. If the notebook paper already is square, it doesn't matter how many inches it is.
  • Question
    How can I make it more stable?
    Community Answer
    If you use thicker paper, like cartridge or thin card, you can make it stronger, although it can become hard to fold.
  • Question
    Could I make a smaller version of the chair?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I used a four inch square paper and it actually worked well.
  • Question
    Can I use a drawing sheet?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It will be more stable, leading to a better chair. To make it even more stable, add tape or apply glue.
  • Question
    Can you explain the squash fold a bit better?
    Community Answer
    Open the triangle and pull it towards you. Do not rip the paper.
  • Question
    Can I sit on these chairs?
    Community Answer
    No. Even if you make the chair life-size, the paper will not be able to support your weight.
  • Question
    How do I make a life size origami chair?
    Community Answer
    You can scale this up to any size, you will just need much bigger paper.
  • Question
    Why do I need to make all origami out of square paper?
    Community Answer
    Because square paper is more symmetrical and more versatile than rectangular paper, and it's easier to create something with good, well-matched proportions when you start out with a square. Most of the same things could be made out of rectangular paper, but it would generally require extra folding to get rid of asymmetry or weird proportions.
  • Question
    What happens if I don't have scissors to cut the strip off?
    Community Answer
    Fold the paper crisply and carefully tear it.
  • Question
    What does crease mean when making origami?
    Community Answer
    It means to fold a paper to create the line (crease) where the paper is folded.
  • Question
    How do you make it so well?
    Community Answer
    You practice and practice. This way, you become a powerful origami master.
  • Question
    Can I use cardboard?
    Timber
    Community Answer
    No, you can't. It's too tough to fold. You would have to cut the pieces out and glue it together, which wouldn't be origami, because then it hasn't been folded.
  • Question
    The seat doesn't fit very well. How can I improve that part? The article says to glue it, but how?
    Community Answer
    Try refolding it or restart on a new piece of origami paper. To glue it, you would put glue on the undersides of the flaps, where they touch the sides.
  • Question
    Can I make a bench instead of a chair?
    Community Answer
    You can try, although it would be more difficult. You could also just use this article to create several chairs that you can then glue together.
  • Question
    How do I glue the seat of the chair together?
    Community Answer
    You could use tape for it instead of using glue, it will be a lot easier to tape.
  • Question
    Does it have to be a 6 by 6 inch piece of paper?
    Neo Fernandes
    Community Answer
    No. The piece of paper needed to fold the chair doesn't have to be a certain size, but it does have to be a square.
  • Question
    Is the step for glue and tape optional?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, it's the only way to stick the chair together.
  • Question
    Can I use any paper other than origami paper?
    Community Answer
    You can, but it will be harder to make the folds and creases, and it may not hold together as well.
  • Question
    Is there such an origami table?
    Elizabeth Bolster
    Community Answer
    Yes there is. You can make almost anything with origami. The origami table will probably need multiple papers to make.
  • Question
    Can I make this out of printer paper?
    Elizabeth Bolster
    Community Answer
    Yes, you could try to do that. However, it might not turn out as well and it will become harder and harder to make folds since printer paper is thicker than origami paper.
  • Question
    Can I use any sized square paper?
    Sienna Noegel
    Community Answer
    Yes, any size works. It may be easier if you use a large piece of paper.
  • Question
    I can't use paper (too fragile) and I don't have cardstock. What should I do?
    Ayla DeWeese
    Top Answerer
    Use a sturdy fabric like canvas or cotton to create a fabric origami chair. Sew the fabric in the same way you would with paper or card. This will require a bit of skill and patience, but it can be a fun and creative project. If you have some foam board lying around, you can use it to make an origami chair. Foam board is sturdy and flexible, and you can cut it to the size you need. Use a sharp knife to cut the foam board, and be careful not to cut yourself. Plastic or vinyl sheets: You will need to cut the plastic or vinyl sheet into the right size and shape and then fold it in the same way you would with paper or card.
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