How to make a paper cat that moves? - briefly
To create a moving paper cat, you'll need a few simple materials: colored paper, scissors, and a brass fastener. First, cut out the shapes for the cat's body, head, legs, and tail from the colored paper. Then, carefully assemble these parts using the brass fastener, ensuring each part is securely attached. Once complete, your paper cat will have moving legs and tail.
How to make a paper cat that moves? - in detail
Creating a paper cat that moves involves a combination of origami techniques and simple mechanical engineering principles. Follow these detailed steps to craft your own moving paper cat:
-
Materials: You will need a square piece of paper, preferably colored or patterned to resemble a cat's fur. The size of the paper can vary, but 6" x 6" is a good starting point for a medium-sized cat. Additionally, you will need scissors and glue.
-
Base Fold: Begin by folding the square piece of paper in half diagonally to create a triangle. Unfold the paper and repeat with the other side so that you have an X crease. This base fold will help you position the cat's features more accurately.
-
Head Shape: Fold the top two corners of the paper towards the center, creating a smaller triangle at the top. This will form the basic shape of the cat's head.
-
Ears and Neck: To create the ears, fold the top two points of the small triangle downwards. You can adjust the size of the ears by how much you fold them down. For the neck, gently push the bottom corners of the paper inward to create a slight indentation.
-
Body and Legs: Fold the bottom point of the paper upwards, creating a small rectangle at the base. This will serve as the cat's body. To make the legs, fold the sides of the rectangle inwards, aligning them with the center crease. You should now have four small triangles that resemble legs.
-
Tail: Cut a thin strip from the leftover paper and glue it to the back of the cat's body to create the tail. Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
-
Making It Move: To make your paper cat move, you will need to incorporate a simple pulley system or use a string mechanism. Here’s how to do it with a string:
- Cut two small slits in the bottom of the cat's body where the legs meet the body.
- Thread a thin piece of string through these slits, ensuring that both ends of the string are evenly balanced on either side of the cat.
- To move the cat, gently pull one end of the string while holding the other end stationary. The cat should slide along the string, giving the illusion of movement.
-
Adding Details: Use a marker or colored pencil to draw the cat's eyes and whiskers. You can also add details like spots or stripes to enhance the cat’s appearance.
-
Final Touches: Carefully adjust the position of the string so that the cat moves smoothly along it. Test the movement by pulling the string gently and making sure the cat slides effortlessly.
With these detailed steps, you should be able to create a paper cat that moves, adding an element of fun and interactivity to your origami project.