But Does it Fly? Fabric Paper Airplane

It does!

I bought Jeff a desk calendar that has daily paper airplane patterns on it. Jeff and Aidan have been making them every night and the house is littered with airplanes.

I decided to make a bag to hold the airplanes using some adorable paper airplane fabric. The bag was almost made last night until I thought, "Hmmm. I wonder if I can make a fabric airplane?" So off to the Internet I went and found this great site.

I was so hyped up because I already had what I needed to start - fabric stiffener. Sorry I don't have pictures of the process yet. I started this at about 11 PM.

Here are the basics:

• Find a template for what you are to make. This can be a paper airplane pattern or any paper origami pattern.
• Using a cotton woven fabric, cut it about 1 inch larger all the way around than your template.
• Spill some of this stiffy stuff onto the fabric on a washable surface. I used a flexible cutting board.
• Use something to spread the stiff stuff so that it penetrates the fabric as well as scrapes off the excess. I used a thinner cardboard but I think something like an old credit card would work great. Perhaps a bone folder. I thoroughly coated the fabric on both sides so use more stiff stuff as you work it through.
• You need to dry this on something that will allow air to circulate around it. The owner of the Fabric Origami site uses a window screen kit. She also recommends a sweater drying rack. I used a fruit and vegetable basket/strainer thingy that is flat on the bottom. If you see any glue lines, dampen a lint-free cloth and wipe.
• Let dry. I did this overnight so I don't know how long it should have taken.
• Iron fabric on a high setting with steam. Let cool. It will be limp initially and then stiffen right up.
• Jeff helped me with the rest. We placed the paper airplane pattern right on top of the fabric and cut around it. Then we started making the folds.
• After each fold, we ironed the airplane and let it cool before making the next fold. We kept doing it until complete.
• If you make a mistake, don't worry! Just steam iron and refold.
• The stiff stuff didn't seem to rub off on my iron or ironing board but I think I am going to clean my iron just in case. Fabric Origami gal recommended using rubbing alcohol.

We have the airplane to Aidan and it flew! Perhaps it was a little more leaden than a regular one but it is pretty nifty.

I plan to make a garland of these and will post the process.

Comments

[acmcclendon]

that's pretty nifty alright!

[June]

Oh my, this is a great project! I've heard of the airplane calendar and really ought to have bought it for my husband who loves making paper airplanes. I'm going to share your post with him so he can play like a good little boy.

[nyjlm]

I bet Aidan thinks it's pretty cool!

[stacysews]

What a fun idea!

[stuffed]

Cool!