How-To Fold Circles 

Folding the circle is about touching points and creasing lines. Getting direct feedback from the circle through observation, you discover how the circle moves.  The first fold is foundational to everything that follows.  Subsequent folding continues the  process of touching points together and creasing lines, generating a triangular grid.  Further folding reveals higher frequency grids for further reforming of the circle.

• When points are touching, the creases will be where they need to be

• Connections are clear when creases are in alignment

• Strong creases provide clarity

• Choices and connections you make are reflected through the folding process

Materials

We use these materials in a typical workshop or residency because they are inexpensive and accessible:

• Uncoated single-ply  9” or 6" paper plates 

• A hard edge stick or bone creaser for creasing folds

• Grippy bobby pins to hold circles together

• All-purpose masking tape for taping edges together and joining folded circle units

Keep in mind  it is important that the paper hold a crease well and be fairly sturdy.  Using variations on any of these materials changes the possibilities and shapes the process.

For additional information diving deeper into the circle folding process, The Hands-on Marvelous Ball Book  and Explore Folding of the Circle Workbooks series 1,2 & 3 introduces folding and exploring the essentials of geometry, the 5 Platonic solids, and over 100 math and geometry vocabulary terms!  

Purchase books by Bradford Hansen-Smith at RedHenToys.com 

Contact  Ash to discuss customizing a class series, workshop or residency. 

Additional Links for Bradford Hansen-Smith's work:

Website: Wholemovement: Folding the Circle for Information

Facebook: Wholemovement: Folding the Circle for Information (extensive image gallery)

You Tube:  YouTube Playlist (Wholemovement @radicalcirclearts108)