To pleat paper, you repeatedly fold it back and forth upon itself, creating a series of alternating folds that give the paper a folded or corrugated texture.
Pleating is a fundamental technique in paper crafting and origami, used to create various shapes and structures, from simple fans to complex models. The basic process involves making parallel folds that reverse direction with each step.
Understanding the Pleating Process
Creating paper pleats is straightforward and involves a sequence of folds:
- Start Flat: Begin with your sheet of paper lying flat on a surface.
- First Fold: Make a fold along the paper, often along one edge, but it can also be in the middle depending on the desired outcome.
- Second Fold (Reverse): Flip the paper over (or fold the next section underneath) and make a parallel fold in the opposite direction, right next to the first fold.
- Repeat: Continue this process, folding the paper back on itself in alternating directions, ensuring each new fold is parallel to the previous ones.
Making Regular Pleats
For regular pleats, where each fold is of consistent size, the technique is precise. According to the reference, when making regular pleats:
- You start with a fold already established.
- You bring the next section of paper over to this existing fold.
- Crucially, you fold it so the edge or new fold line comes towards the previous fold, but not necessarily aligning perfectly on top of it ("bring that over to this fold, but not all the way to it"). This method helps maintain a consistent pleat width as you move down the paper.
This creates a series of equally spaced mountain and valley folds across the paper.
Steps for Creating Basic Regular Pleats
Follow these steps to make regular pleats:
- Decide on the width of your pleats.
- Make your first fold (a valley fold) along the paper's width.
- Flip the paper over.
- Fold the paper back on itself (a mountain fold) parallel to the first fold, aiming for the same width. Aligning the raw edge or a previous fold line can help maintain consistency, bringing it towards the last fold created, as mentioned in the reference.
- Flip the paper over again.
- Make another valley fold parallel to the last, matching the desired width.
- Continue flipping and folding in alternating directions until the entire sheet is pleated.
Why Pleat Paper?
Pleating adds texture, structure, and flexibility to paper. It can be used for:
- Decorative elements (fans, borders)
- Adding volume or dimension
- Creating components for larger paper models or sculptures
- Making functional items like filters or packaging
Pleating is a versatile technique that transforms a flat sheet into a dynamic form.
