How to Make an Origami Suit

An origami suit brings the ancient art of paper folding into the modern business world. This project is not just a unique alternative to the generic paper cranes everyone is used to seeing; it is also a creative gift that shows off origami skills. Instead of tucking money in a card, try giving away an origami suit at your next graduation, Bar Mitzvah or birthday celebration. This paper shirt, tie and pants set takes only two pieces of paper money.

Things You'll Need

• 2 bills in any denomination
• Ruler
• Pencil

Instructions

Making the Shirt and Tie

1. 

   Starting with the front or back of a dollar bill is a personal preference.

   Position a bill vertically with the shorter ends at the top and bottom. Fold the bill in half right to left and unfold it.

2. Fold the top left corner at a 45-degree angle to align with the center crease. Repeat with the top right corner. Crease the paper along the bottom of the triangle you have just made, and fold the triangle over the front of the remaining paper.

3. Draw an upside-down V on the triangle flap to make a tie. Position the point of the V where the center crease and top edge of the triangle flap meet. Center the legs of the V, leaving equal space between each leg and the center crease. The bottom of the triangle flap is the bottom of the tie, which does not have a knot.

4. Unfold the triangle flap and flip the paper over. Crease the paper along the pencil lines. Flip the paper over again and refold the triangle flap.

5. Fold the tie in half, touching the left pencil line to the right pencil line. Re-crease the top left corner of the paper so it continues to lie flat. Make a crease along the left side of the tie to align with the center crease. Repeat for the right side.

6. Fold the left side of the paper in half vertically to touch the center crease. Unfold. Fold the right side of the paper in half vertically to touch the center crease. Unfold.

7. Refold the left side of the paper vertically, matching the left-most point of the diagonal crease to the top center point of the tie. Repeat this step with the diagonal crease on the right. Tuck both side flaps under the tie. Fold up the bottom edge of the paper 1/4 inch. Flip over the paper.

8. Place marks halfway between the left edge of the paper and the center crease and halfway between the right edge and the center crease. Place marks 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom on the left and right edges.

9. 

   This finished collard shirt is more casual without a tie.

   Make the shirt collar. Fold the paper from the bottom-left mark to the top-left mark and from the bottom-right mark to the top-right mark. Make sure both points of the collar meet at the center crease. Flip over the paper. Fold up the bottom edge of the paper so the top of the shirt collar is 1/8 inch below the bottom of the tie. Unfold.

10. Make shirt sleeves. Place a mark 1/4 inch below the bottom of the tie. Draw a line from this point to the left edge of the vertical crease below the point. Draw another line from the point to the right edge of the vertical crease. Make creases along these lines. Refold the bottom edge of the paper, but pull out the creased sections to make sleeves.

11. Flip over the paper and fold it in half horizontally. Bring up the bottom "shoulder" points to align with the top points of the paper.

12. Fold the collar section up. Align the V of the collar with the top edge of the paper. Flip the paper over. Hook the collar points over the edge of the paper and set it aside.

Making the Pants

1. Position the second bill horizontally. Fold the paper in half top to bottom and unfold it. Fold the top side in half to meet the center crease. Do the same for the bottom side. Fold the paper in half top to bottom along the center crease.

2. Fold the paper in half left to right. Unfold. Place a mark 1/4 inch to the right of the crease, along the top edge. Place a mark 1/4 inch to the left of the crease, along the bottom edge. Fold the paper along the line the two points create.

3. Rotate the paper 90 degrees clockwise. Align the pants with the bottom of the shirt and tie.

Tips & Warnings

• A crisp bill provides better creases and folds.

• Adapt this project to other currencies or papers but choose paper that has proportions similar to the U.S. dollar bill (about 6 by 2 1/2 inches).

References

• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Money Origami Shirt and Tie Instructions
• "Origami With Rachel Katz"; The $2 Pant Suit; Rachel Katz