Michael G. LaFosse - Lafosse & Alexanders Dollar Origami: Convert Your Ordinary Cash Into Extraordinary Art!: Origami Book with 20 Projects & Downloadable Instructional Video

Origami Symbols Key Our diagrams use the standard origami notations that are shown here. If you are new to origami notation, please be encouraged that the project diagrams are complete and clear. However, your ability to easily interpret them will take time, like learning to read any foreign language. Studying from both the video lessons and the diagrams will help you to learn to read origami instructions much more quickly. General Tips Clean, crisp money is easier to fold, and new bills always work best. When selecting a bill for an origami subject, look for one that is printed symmetrically (equal margins all around, and the printed images are registered so that the fields align when held to the light).

If your bills are limp, they can be gently ironed, but first place them between sheets of paper so the plastic inclusions do not mar the irons hot surface. U.S. one dollar bills are remarkably strong, and for origami, they tend to be a bit stiff. For this reason, most dollar bill folders add a slight amount of moisture, either by swiping the bill with a moist napkin or towel, or with just a light spritz from a plant mister. Consider gathering a few tools to make your results look neat and crisp: 1) a bone folder helps when setting sharp creasesor a coin, or even the bowl of a spoon; 2) a pair of fine tweezers helps to pull edges into proper alignment, and details into final position; 3) a bamboo skewer is useful for opening eyes and mouths on your miniature creatures; and 4) a pair of nylon jaw jewelers pliers will help you concentrate force to properly set multi-layer points and flaps.

Lees Coin Pouch Designed by Richard L.

Alexander My father, Lee Alexander, has carried a rubbery plastic clamshell coin pouch ever since they were first developed. They used to be a popular tangible advertising item, and by carrying just a few coins, it prevented him from receiving handfuls of coins as change. Folding a similar object from a dollar bill goes one step further: It is lighter, thinner, and more compact. But best of all, if you get in a pinch, you will always have one dollar more than the sum of its contents! Begin with the obverse side up. Mark the center of a long edge with a short valley fold pinch mark. Turn over, left to right. Valley-fold the folded edges to meet at the middle. Valley-fold the folded edges to meet at the middle.

Allow the back edges to come to the front. Move the top right flap to the left. Valley-fold the corners of the right flap to the vertical crease. Valley-fold the left edge of the top flap the vertical crease. Valley-fold the left flap to the right. Open the pocket through the folded slit. Open the pocket through the folded slit.

This is the back of the coin pouch. Turn over. Lees Coin Pouch.

Canoe Designed by Richard L. Alexander There must be a million ways to float the dollar, but this is one that our government probably hasnt tried yet. This may be the simplest of many one dollar canoes, and we hope it will become the springboard for a flotilla of more complex cash craft from you, Creative Captains of Crease.

It makes a great chopsticks rest. Begin with the obverse side up for a green canoe. Valley-fold the left and right short edges to the top edge. Valley-fold all of the layers of the top edge down to form a folded margin. Unfold. Use the perimeter creases to valley-fold the top and side edges in, while folding the top corners in half and flattening them to lay above the top edge. Use the perimeter creases to valley-fold the top and side edges in, while folding the top corners in half and flattening them to lay above the top edge.

Look at the next diagram for the shape. Use the diagonal creases to valley-fold the left and right triangle flaps up. Valley-fold the bottom two-thirds of the paper up. Mountain-fold the top flap down into the canoe. The Canoe.

Windmill Pillow Tile Designed by Richard L.

Alexander We love to decorate with dollars. It is amazing what you can do by folding crisp bills just once or twice. This simple fold produces a variety of interesting tilings, and can even be used to form larger squares to be use for wrapping small gifts, or to fold thousands of conventional origami subjects. You will need four U.S. bills, of any denomination or combination, thereof.