how to fold a cushion from a blanket

[Theophan]

Ralf,
This is awesome. Thanks for sharing
Gassho
Theophan
Sat Today

[Amelia]

Awesome! Thank you, Ralf!

Gassho, sat today

[Kaishin]

That is very cool, Ralf! I will have to try this--thanks for sharing!

-satToday

[Risho]

That is awesome. Thank you!

Gassho,

Risho
-sattoday

[Getchi]

Thankyou!

Used your method this morning on a mountain, worked wonderfully. Will definitely be using it again.

Gassho
Geoff
SatToday

[Jundo]

Let me just emphasize ... this blanket folding may really be an emergency measure for travel and such, or when one really cannot get a Zafu.

Why? Well, I am not sure, but I get the feeling that it it is not quite as stable as a Zafu, and does not support and hold together as well. It may not be a good long term measure.

So, how do we know?! AN EXPERIMENT!

Would some of our experienced Zafu sitters try sitting on the rolled blanket for some days? Although the results will be purely anecdotal and rather subjective, how is the experience the same or different? Feel as balanced, supporting? How is your back and butt? Etc.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Kotei]

Thank you for your kind comments and openness to try.
I am curious, too, and will try it on and off in the next days.

What I've been observing for now:

Like mostly, when folding and wrapping is involved, the stability differs massively with the effort, you take in making it.

After the first fold, the diagonally one, the moved edge should not lie directly on the other, they should instead be side by side with a little space between them. This is to have an more even 'blank' to roll it up.
The later folds should not leave lots of gaps between the layers. (that would be unstable)
They (folds) should be quite parallel, so the "zafu" afterwards is 'plain' on the surface, not with a hollow/hill on top.
Also the roll up should be done with some pressure applied, to enable the folds to support each other.

The height is adjustable by choosing a different "first parallel fold" height.
The supportive strength is adjustable with how tight you roll it up.

There is a (german) saying "Wie man sich bettet, so liegt man".
"As you make your bed, so you must lie in it."

Gassho,
Ralf sattoday.

[Kyonin]

Hi Ralf

I tried your blanket-zafu during the week and I really like it. I used a big blanket to fit my big bottom. The first version it was too tight and it was too hard to sit on, but the following days I tried to make it a little loose and it works like a charm.

Also you can adjust the height, which is very important for me.

I'll keep on using it and let you know how it goes

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Byokan]

Thanks Ralf! That's really, really cool. I will definitely use that when camping and such, or anytime a little seat is needed.

I'm curious about using it as a zafu. When you sit on it, does the front angle down so that your spine has the correct curvature, and your legs don't fall asleep? And does it hold it's shape, meaning you can hold your posture for the whole time sitting without too much readjusting of your posture? (I'd try it out myself but am currently sitting with one leg straight out in an ankle cast.) I'm interested to hear how this works for people; thanks to all who are experimenting and reporting.

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

[Jundo]

Thank you for your kind comments and openness to try.
I am curious, too, and will try it on and off in the next days.

What I've been observing for now:

Like mostly, when folding and wrapping is involved, the stability differs massively with the effort, you take in making it.

After the first fold, the diagonally one, the moved edge should not lie directly on the other, they should instead be side by side with a little space between them. This is to have an more even 'blank' to roll it up.
The later folds should not leave lots of gaps between the layers. (that would be unstable)
They (folds) should be quite parallel, so the "zafu" afterwards is 'plain' on the surface, not with a hollow/hill on top.
Also the roll up should be done with some pressure applied, to enable the folds to support each other.

The height is adjustable by choosing a different "first parallel fold" height.
The supportive strength is adjustable with how tight you roll it up.

There is a (german) saying "Wie man sich bettet, so liegt man".
"As you make your bed, so you must lie in it."

Gassho,
Ralf sattoday.

This is a well engineered blanket-Zafu! But I won't ask for the 3-D CAD renderings.

Gassho, J

SatToday

[Kotei]

@raindrop:
I am sitting a little different on that blanketzafu. A bit more 'on the edge' and a little higher. As the outer layer of rolls is not so much supported by nearby folds, it is less supporting.
I think I will stuff my "original"-zafu with more kapok. I sit more comfortable on the blanket, but that is, because it is higher and more supportive...
I hope, that your ankle gets well soon!

@jundo:
3d... no, this time I refuse to take the bait ;-)
was programming with a physics simulation engine some years ago and started immediately to think about how to simulate the different types of textile, the blankets are made of... thin cotton vs. polyester vs. thick wool... Mine are swiss army woolen blankets, they're maybe a little more supportive and with a better shape memory.

Gassho,
Ralf sattoday

[Byokan]

Thanks Ralf!

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

[Kyonin]

Hi Ralf

After a few days of using the blanket-zafu I noticed my butt hurt. That's because I rolled it up too tight! It was too hard to sit on it.

So I re did the zafu, but the roll was a lot looser than the first attempt. Also, I did the first fold a little taller so the zafu better for my height. Now it was nice and fluffy!

I'll keep on experimenting

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Kotei]

Hi Kyonin,

thank you for your observation.
I am somewhere between thinking that it will disintegrate with rolling too loose (it did not) and having a too hard cushion.
Maybe my very thick woolen blanket is to be rolled with low pressure, because it is very stable on its own.
I feel totally ok, sitting on it for some days while on a journey.

For now, I'am switching back to my 'original' zafu, but have modified that one with more Kapok to have it higher and more supportive.

Gassho,
Ralf sattoday.

[Rich]

Thanks, this a great idea when traveling.

SAT today