Fabrigami: The Origami Art of Folding Cloth to Create Decorative and Useful Objects

by Jill Stovall, Florence Temko, Scott Wasserman Stern

Fold decorative origami objects out of cloth with this easy-to-use origami book.

Fabrigami is the Asian art of folding fabrics to create three-dimensional objects ranging from the practical to the whimsical. Like paper, there are countless beautiful fabric designs to choose from, but only fabric has the virtue of being extremely durable.

Fabrigami began as origami legend Florence Temko's final project. Everyone knows that origami is the art of paper folding, but Temko had begun experimenting with folding fabric to make objects that are just as beautiful but more lasting than paper. Sadly, Temko passed away before the book was completed, but her collaborator, Jill Stovall, continued their work. Now, Stovall--with the help of Scott Stern, a rising young star of origami--brings Fabrigami to print for everyone to use and enjoy.

This origami book begins by presenting instructions on how to treat fabric, so it holds a shape when folded. Then Stovall shares a series of fun craft projects with simple origami-style diagrams that you can use to make a range of lovely objects. Stiffening the fabric requires some practice, but the folds are all easy enough to be considered origami-for-kids projects and are a great way to learn origami.

Cloth origami projects include:
Fan-tastic Fold Earrings
Evening Wine Coat
Florence's Hexagon Box
Cloth Kimono Card
Pleated Peacock

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts

80 pages, Paperback

First published November 12, 2013

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for beginners. Know something about stiffening fabric ahead of time, and about origami, and be willing to use scissors, glue, wire, odd sizes of paper/ fabric (not just squares) and sometimes other stuff. Check out from the library first. I imagine they can be done with paper. I tried five, will keep instructions two simple models. I do like the idea of fabric for more special, giftable projects like the boxes, but none of the more complicated models are in my wheelhouse.

Btw, I'm testing by using pages from magazines... good crisp paper, and generally the front of the sheet is different from the back which beginners like me need even for easy models. I bet old Nat'l Geographic, with those brilliant full-page photos, could be used for 'keeper' projects, not just tests.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a copy of my Amazon review, if you looked there also to learn about this book. I don't generally review nonfiction books on Goodreads, but I was so unhappy with this one that I'm making an exception.

I checked this book out from the library instead of buying it. I am so glad I did, because it was a huge disappointment. The instructions are vague and incomplete (such as "Easier folds can be achieved by bonding fabric with fusible web products, such as Wonder Under." Bond it to what? Other fabric? Paper? What kind?). The projects range from the ridiculously lame -- tie a square of fabric around a flower pot with a ribbon -- to the relatively impossible -- folding a 58-step Easter Bunny out of a suggested 6" square of fabric. The project that prompted me to warn people off of the book is titled "Purse." It looks simple enough to fold, and it was, but the finished project does not resemble the project photo, in which the purse sports a flat bottom that is not created by the folds in the instructions. Don't bother with this book.

[Chet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very much in line with many origami books.
The exceptions are that you will be using fabric instead of paper and therefore will have to treat the fabric in order to make it stiff. The book offers several products and one home made formula in which to dip the fabric in and then how to dry the material prior to folding it into the shape you desire.
I've created four ratings for organs books: beginner, advanced, Martha Stewart, and PhD.
I would rate this book as being in the Martha Stewart category. If you are looking for that extra special object for the holidays this book is for you.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

Very simple technique. Makes nice gifts. Would have liked it to have more boxes and flowers but since you could just get an origami book for additional patterns its a good book just for the technique and recipe

[Lin · Rating 1 out of 5]

The diagrams aren't very easy to follow. The projects are a bit lame. I thought I picked one of the easier projects that I actually liked, but I can't seem to get it to look anything like their finished item. Was not worth buying.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will use the fan fold to make the tip on a magic wand. But I think the concept was weird because fabric is substituted for paper. USE paper!

[Martha]

nothing different from paper