Linda Wright - Toilet paper origami: delight your guests with fancy folds & simple surface embellishments or easy origami for hotels, bed & breakfasts, cruise ships & creative housekeepers

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 travelswhether 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 regaland 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 couldnt 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 cuteand 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 easyand 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-readers 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 bunnys 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 youre folding! Like the napkins my son folds each Thanksgiving to look like chickens, toilet paper origami is meant to be admiredand 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 foldingand 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. 3. 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 inch.