Don't worry, it's not an origami lesson!
Fold a map?!? Isn't that like learning to breathe? If you think map-folding is too simple to teach, check out the nearest glove compartment and see how the maps are mashed together a different way each time they're closed. This presents a couple of problems: since the map doesn't fold neatly on its original creases, it occupies more room than it should; and since it has creases running every which way through it, it's harder to read. Folding a map properly lets you access the necessary part of the map easily, and also lets you fold away unnecessary parts which might otherwise distract you. This is particularly useful when reading a map outside in high
And for folks who use topographical maps for navigating in the backcountry or on water, careful map folding is invaluable. Topo maps are often sold in flat, unfolded sheets, and doing a careful job the first time around will make for greater and readability for its whole life.
Before You Begin
If you take care of a map, it'll remain easier to fold and easier to read (and last longer). Don't force any folds, and try to avoid making unnecessary creases.
In this 2torial, we're asking you to clear off and wipe down a large flat area where you can do the folding--a desk, a kitchen counter, or even a clean floor will work well. You should also arrange to have good light to work in, so that you can see the straightness of the folds. We know that these aren't the real-world circumstances under which most maps are folded...but consider this the "laboratory," in which you'll get the hang of things. A little practice and you'll be able to maintain fold formality while in the car, almost without thinking.
Step 1
Start by orienting the map so that the long sides extend towards your left and right sides (and not straight away from you). And if it's possible, orient the map so that the title section is in the lower left hand corner--it's fine if the title section is upside down.
In this process you'll do two types of folds: folds to the left and to the right. Make sure the folds are perpendicular to the sides of the map. If you do this carefully, the folds will represent the four directions on many maps.
With every fold of a new map, proceed carefully. Line up the edges of the fold before actually pressing down to make the fold. Use your thumb and forefinger of one hand to pinch the open edges that are lined up together, and with the other hand, pinch down the line of the fold, making sure that the open edges aren't slipping around (which would change the angle of the fold).
And after completing a fold, you need to crease it. Turn your thumb so that it's face down a map fold, and draw your thumb towards you, applying pressure as you go so that you finish with a clean, sharp crease. Sharp creases make for easy refolding.
Bring it over: Take the right edge of the map and bring it to the left edge, making the first fold towards the left. This fold divides the map in half.
- Divide and conquer: Open that fold, and again take the right edge of the map. This time, bring it to the crease of the first fold. This starts the division of the map into quarters. Crease the second fold.
- Line em' up: Take the right edge of the map a third time--but this time fold it to the right. Line up the right edge with the crease of the second fold, make the fold, and crease it. This starts the division of the map into eighths.
Holding those three folded sections together, you should see them all line up at the first fold of the map. Now begins an accordion-type folding pattern that will apply to most of the remainder of the map.
- M patterns: Take those three folds, flip the map onto the backside, and line up those sections with the crease of the first fold. And then fold to the right and crease. Take a side-view look at the map to see what you've just done: you should see a M-pattern of folds. If you see a spiral-shape that folds into itself, you've done this last fold incorrectly, so try folding it the opposite way.
Continue with this way of folding--gathering all of the folded sections together, flip the map over to the other side, and make a fold that's the width of the other folded sections (which are 1/8 of the map each).
- Thirds: All that remains is to fold these 1/8 strips into thirds, along their width. Start with the title section facing down and nearest to you. Make the first 1/3 fold by taking the edge nearest you and lining it up so that it creates two sections of equal length. And then fold and crease.
- Fold and crease: Open that fold and flip the map to the other side so that the title section faces up. Then take the crease of the most recent fold, and line it up with the far edge of the map. Fold and crease, and you're left with a neat little bundle of map, title section up.
Step 2 Refold a pre-folded map
There's also an art to refolding a pre-folded map. Here are some tips to get a map folded away neat and flat for easy storage.
- Always keep an eye out for the opening section of map--the section that has the title, price, publishing information, etc. Any fold you make should not bury that section from view. As soon as you make any fold that folds that section away, then undo the fold you just did, and look for another option.
- Look at the map--there are only two kinds of folds, those that go lengthwise, and those that go across the width. In most maps, you fold up all the folds going one way (say, lengthwise) before you start folding it the other way. If you can't remember which way goes first, try doing all the lengthwise folds, and see what happens. If you lose sight of the title section of the map, you know you've made an error and should try it the other way.
