I'm trying to model an object where the 2D tube shape it rolled up along the sides, similarly to how you roll your sleeves up
2 Answers
You could start with a plane and delete one side.
Then add a Subsurf modifier to make the curl smooth. Add a Cast modifier driven by an empty. Then a screw modifier to wrap the distorted edge around into a tube.
Create a Bezier curve. Open edit mode, rotate it by 90 degrees in Y and 90 degrees in Z by, offset it in X direction, add a screw modifier and edit it from front view. You can add a solidify modifier afterwards.
The cool thing about bezier curves is that they are a bit more flexible than regular polygons.