Piper's Star
This star is a modular origami model which was brought to the attention of our group by one of our young members, Piper. I don't know who the designer is, but in Piper's honor we'll refer to it here as Piper's Star. It's a model which she had attempted on her own and had some difficulty completing. After examining the diagrams and the instructions it became clear there were some steps which weren't diagrammed. We worked on this until we were able to complete the model.
Follow the instructions, duplicate the images. This model isn't difficult to fold but it's a bit frustrating to assemble. Be patient and remember it generally takes a few completed models before you've made a keeper. Good luck and happy folding.
1. The paper must be square. The size of the paper will determine the finished model but other than that any size paper will do. You'll need 6 sheets of paper, as this model has 6 modules to complete the model. Start with the white (or nondominant) side of the paper up, or if it's two sided paper, the color you want on the inside of the finished module. Fold the paper in half with the edges meeting, crease. Only the color will show at this point. (In the parlance of origami directions we call this a valley fold.)
2. In modular origami it is always important to fold cleanly and accurately. Don't rush because that will lead to sloppy modules and then the model won't go together properly. Fold each and every module exactly the same way, unless the directions specifically tell you to do otherwise. The center crease is on the left, the open edges of the paper are on the right. Lift just the top layer on the open edge side, and fold it back so the cut edge will be lined up along the center fold. (This is a valley fold as well. Which is indicated with the dashed line.) When you've lined the paper edges up crease the paper. Then open the fold you just made.
3. The upper left corner (marked with a red dot) should be folded down and lined up along the crease line on the top layer of paper (this is also indicated with a red dot). You need to bisect the upper right hand corner. You will be folding both layers of the paper. Be sure of your placement and when you've positioned the paper properly, crease the paper along the fold. (This is also a valley fold.) Once you've creased the paper, re-open the fold.
4. The crease you just made needs to be reversed on the top layer of the paper, so the corner can be folded to the inside. Reverse the crease indicated by the dashed dot line. (This indicates a mountain fold.) Then fold the paper to the inside along the mountain folds which you've created on the front and back halves of the paper.
5. The upper right corner (indicated with a red dot) should be folded down so the upper edge of the module lies evenly along the outside left edge of the module. (Match the points indicated with red dots.) This will create a fold which you should crease when you have the paper positioned properly. (This is a valley fold.) (Ignore the dashed line which is marked along the center crease, until the next step.)
6. Fold the outside edge of the top layer of the paper to the left, along the dashed line indicated. Do not fold in the diamond half which will come under the flap you're folding. (In the photo this part is blue.) Once you've creased the paper, unfold the new crease.
7a. This picture shows two modules, which are almost completed. Insert one unit from the left under the bottom flap of the diamond of the module to the right. It's positioned correctly, when the diamond shape becomes apparent.
7b. Two units positioned.
7c. To make the crease shown in this picture, fold the flap (which will be the lock for the modules) you creased in Step 6, to the left, leaving the units in the position from Step 7b, the bottom layer of the left hand unit will lie under the locking flap of the unit on the right. Fold the locking flap on the right hand module to the left and crease. This will crease the edge of the paper from the left hand module. Repeat this step with each of the six units. You'll use this crease as a reference mark as you assemble the model.
8a. This is the action described in 7c, hopefully this will give you a clear idea of what you're doing. 1 Fold the locking flap on the left hand module to the left. 2 Position the left hand module as seen in Step 7b. 3 The corner will lie under the locking flap of the right hand module (indicated by the dashed red line). Fold the locking flap of the right hand module to the left creasing the corner of the left hand module. Once you've created the reference creases, indicated in the Step 7c picture, you assemble the model as described above. You'll need to reopen the lock on the previous module as you add each new module.
8b. This picture shows 8a2 described above.
9a. This picture shows 8a3 described above.
9b. This picture shows four modules assembled. (Please note the locking flaps are above the diamond side flaps of paper.) You may want to use paper clips, or some other non-marring grip assistant as you assemble the model to reduce the aggravation of having it slip apart repeatedly.
10a. The last module is the most difficult. Make sure you have the end between the layer of the previous module. See picture 10d.
10b. You need to bring the precreased edge of the module you're inserting up under the locking flap of the previous module, indicated by the small red dots in the picture. Once you've positioned it properly, fold the locking flap down, catching (and holding) the edge of the inserted module.
10c. The locking flap should close easily on the folds made in previous steps, if the modules are positioned correctly.
10d. This picture is the back of the model, after all the modules have been assembled. I wanted you to see that the open ends of each unit are tucked in the adjacent unit, so no open ends will appear on the back of the model.
11. Once you've assembled all of the modules and the locks are all folded into place the model will resist slipping apart. You can now tuck the locks under the layer of paper which forms the other side of the diamond. In the photo, it's the dark purple layer of paper.
12. This is the completed model. If you plan to hang this or put it on display, you'd be wise to glue it together to prevent it from seperating unexpectedly.