Origami Letter Holder

Things Needed

• Handmade paper 23” x 30” [any thick paper will do]
• Double Tape
• Ruler or Measuring Tape
• Marker

Measurements

• Firstly, take a look at the letters/envelopes lying around in your house to get an idea of how deep the compartments/pockets should be.
• With some experimentation I found that pockets with a depth equal to half the length of the letters/envelopes will hold them best.
• I decided to make the top pocket for the bigger letters/envelopes and the lower pocket for the smaller ones.
• Smaller letters/envelopes are of size 6” [approx.] and bigger ones are 8” [approx.].

Mark and Fold the paper

• Basically, by doing fan-folds on the paper length-wise we should be able to get the basic form in shape. Fan-folds are nothing but alternate mountain & valley folds.
• For the given sizes of letter/envelope, mark the points at the given distances along the length of the paper.
• Make the mountain folds at 6" & 17" along the length of the paper (measurements are from the base).
• Make the valley folds at 9" & 21" along the length of the paper (measurements are from the base).

Lock the model

• At this point all 4 edges are open; let us close them.
• Now turn the paper over and valley-fold about 1" of the top and bottom edges.
• For the right edge, valley-fold at an angle so that bottom part (2") is farther inside than the top part (1"). Repeat the same on the left edge.
• Crease firmly. While doing this the side edges will tend to go out, which is OK. This will give an extra bit of room in the pocket.
• You'll find the top corners falling outside the top edge line. Bring the corners inside by tucking them in.
• The letter holder is now ready and should look like an inverted trapezium.
• Dimensions of the finished model are - Top length: 21"; Bottom length: 19"; Height: 13". [Note: folding the sides at an angle would give it some interesting shape rather than keeping it just a rectangle.]