Toilet Paper Origami Made Easy
Mar 3, 2009
Toilet Paper Origami (also called toilegami) is the origami-style folding of toilet paper, seen in many luxurious hotels, spas, or even institutions of fine dining. In Japan, this form of origami is incredibly popular.
Most of the time, people tend to think of TP origami as the end of a roll of toilet paper taking the form of a triangle, however, some people have gotten even more creative, opting instead to create clamshell or fan shaped designs. Some origami enthusiasts have even go so far as to create flowers, boats, and butterflies at the end of a roll as a display of art form. Here’s how to do one fancy trick that’s sure to spruce up any bathroom:
The Pleated Fold
1.With the toilet paper still attached to the roll, pull out about 2 or 3 squares worth of Toilet Paper and stretch it towards you. Fold raw edge under about ½”.
2.Continue to fold the TP in an up-and-down, accordion fashion. Make at least 7 to 10 folds, the more the better. Compress the pleats into a tight stack.
3.Fold the stack of pleats in half towards you.
4.Squeeze the stack together pressing the creases firmly.
5.Release the stack of pleats and allow the folds to relax. Find the two pleats that are closest to one another (shown with arrow).
6.Expanded view; only two layers shown: Hold the two layers closest to one another and fold the corner to form a small triangle. Fold this corner once more to lock the two halves together.
7.Gently layer the pleated TP onto the roll. Arrange and fluff the TP until you have an inverted fan-like structure.
Anyone interested in exploring Toilet Paper Origami should visit http://www.tporigami.com. This comprehensive collection includes many quick and easy folds that are a nice change from the point plus others that are more ornate.
Thanks for the advice Lindaloo. I like your site!
Really great post, well written, concise and comprehensive. Thank you.
I have seen toilet paper origamis in hotels and restaurants. Thanks for sharing this post, really informative.
Do you think it’s worth the effort? How does toilet paper origami enhance your bathroom experience?
Where is the photo that it says there’s an arrow showing which pleats it means? Thanks!
lol@Molly – how does TP orgami contribute to your bathroom experience???
Who cares, it seeems to be an interesting and obscure type of “art”, if we can call it that.
That might not hard as what I think of.Though there was no photo but I’ll surely try. This is good for occasions held at home. Thanks for sharing.
Ive seen some really impressive Origami while on holiday in Mexico, the maids are able to create the most difficult shapes in seconds, have a look at these towels, you have to wonder how they come up with such creative ideas!
That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing Debora!
it seems to be an interesting and obscure type of art. The maids are able to create the most difficult shapes in seconds, have a look at these towels. This comprehensive collection includes many quick and easy folds that are a nice change from the point.
I actually tried to do this. I never expected this to be difficult!
It looks interesting though, in the end.
This is great if you invited guests for a dinner at home. You can arrange your table and impress them with origami. I’m so excited to try and make one.
I am thinking on how and what to decorate for a limited budget. With only tissue at home, you can make the table setting more alive with different origami designs.
You must be joking, who would want to do that knowing someone will shortly go and rip if off.
Just those few small touches make a difference in hospitality!
I am thinking on how and what to decorate for a limited budget. With only tissue at home, you can make the table setting more alive. It seems to be an interesting and obscure type of “art”, if we can call it that.
what an artistic idea ! You can add beauty and art to the place by putting bundle of roses care in a bowl base with fresh water and a capsule to make the flowers stay longer.
I’ve seen this when we went to Singapore last year. Amazing! I never even knew that they were toilet paper until I took a closer look.
How cool! I didn’t know such a thing existed. I mean, I’ve seen toilet paper in hotels have a triangle tip at the end, but I didn’t think it was some sort of art form. Thanks for the little tutorial. However, I tried it and can’t follow it. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Do you think you can make a video?
With the toilet paper still attached to the roll, pull out about 2 or 3 squares worth of Toilet Paper and stretch it towards you
Toilet paper origami really excellent and admired by many people noticed , thanks
This is great if you invited guests for a dinner at home. This comprehensive collection includes many quick and easy folds that are a nice change from the point.
Hi Molly! I actually tried this … but not with tissue paper (sorry!). I tried it with cloth table napkins! I’ve always wondered how restaurants and hotels did this. Now I have something to show off at our next family barbecue. After all, it seems such a waste to try this with tissue paper. They’ll just get ripped off, probably without the person even noticing the artwork at all.
I have been so fancy hotels and restaurants and I must admit that I have never seem toilegami. I will have to look it up online.