Letterfolding is an aspect of origami that will allow you to fold a sheet of paper on the spur of the moment, as an alternative to a greeting card or to highlight a page in a scrapbook with a hidden message. Many people enjoy the creative fun of folding a note in an unusual shape, knowing that the recipient will have a surprise when it is opened.
Most letterfolds in Origami from the Heart are self-closing and do not need an envelope for passing by hand. Before the nineteenth century most mail was sent in this way, folded and secured with sealing wax rather than being enclosed in an envelope. Envelopes became popular in the mid-nineteenth century when the English Post Office assessed mailings by weight and it became cheaper to send several sheets in one envelope. Previously postage was assessed by the number of sheets sent.
Since then, the sending of cards and notes has become an important tradition around the world. The custom of sending valentines on February fourteenth was especially popular in Victorian England. Printed greeting cards weren’t available, so people made their own cards by hand. These cards were usually embellished with a lot of decorative details and sent anonymously to only one person to reveal a secret love.
In Japan elaborate cards are usually attached to gifts and may be shaped into appropriate symbols. For example, cards can be folded to resemble a crane, a long-legged bird with large wings that represents longevity because of its long lifespan. The elaborateness of a design is a sign of respect afforded the recipient.
You can use Origami from the Heart as inspiration for your own note cards. In addition to this instruction book, the Origami from the Heart kit provides origami paper for cardmaking. You can further personalize your note cards by adding bits of doilies, lace, hearts, ribbons, stars, and any other small oddments. Your imagination is the essential ingredient!
Here are some appropriate messages of love you may wish to use on your note cards:
You are my valentine
You put a smile on my face
I love you
Thank you for your help
Let’s celebrate our love
Here’s a gift from my heart
I’m thinking of you
This is our day for romance
I appreciate…
Here’s a love coupon for (a big hug every day, etc)
From a distant friend
Basic Folding Information
To help you make sense of the lines and arrows on the diagrams, it will be well worth your while to take a few minutes to study the explanations of the following basic techniques that are international standards for origami.
Basic Procedures
1. Valley Fold
Folding the paper toward you is called a valley fold and is shown by a line of dashes in the diagrams.
a. Fold the square in half toward you, matching it to the opposite edge.
b. You have made a valley fold.
2. Mountain Fold
Folding paper to the back, away from you, is called a mountain fold and is shown by a line of dashes and dots in the diagrams.
a. Fold the square in half by guiding the paper to the back, matching it to the opposite edge.
b. You have made a mountain fold.
3. Existing Crease
A crease made previously is shown in the diagrams by a thin line that does not touch the edges.
4. Arrows
In the diagrams you will see four kinds of arrows. They indicate the direction in which to fold.
a. Make a valley fold.
b. Make a mountain fold.
c. Double Arrow—Fold and unfold the same crease.
d. Curly Arrow—Turn the paper over.
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