Text-Only Instructions
Credits and Resources:
Instructions with supporting pictures and/or illustrations can be found here at
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at first.
Folding level: Intermediate
Steps: 18
Description: This is an inflatable 3-dimensional model. The end result is a cube or dice with 6 sides.
This popular model is also sometimes described and folded, with minor variations, as a balloon or waterbomb.
Remarks:
This is a great project for children and one that many adults might still remember from their childhood days.
It can be filled with water for fun, but also looks great as a Christmas decoration.
Use colors like silver, gold, red, green or blue and tie lightly with matching ribbon to hang the cubes from a tree or around the house.
To create a gift box, insert a small gift after the model has been completed and tie a ribbon carefully around the cube.
To use as a dice, mark on all sides with a pencil or marker.
Use thicker paper or thin cardstock for a sturdier mmodel.
If you are using two-sided paper, make sure that the side you want for the outside of the dice is facing down before you start to fold.
NOTE: This model starts from the waterbomb or balloon base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, fold the base and then go to Step 9.
"Step 1
Place a square of paper on your work surface and position it so that the edges are facing up and down, left and right.
Step 2
Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Bring the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Turn the square over and position it so that its points are facing up and down, left and right.
Step 5
Bring the left point over to meet the right point. Crease and unfold.
Step 6
Bring the top point down to meet the bottom point. Crease and leave folded.
Step 7
Grasp the left and right points of the resulting triangle and push inward. The model should collapse along the pre-existing folds. The result will be another triangle shape that has one folded flap sticking out from the back of the model and another sticking out from the front.
Step 8
Fold the front flap to the left and fold the back flap to the right so that your model will lie flat.
The model will have one open end, which should be facing you."
Step 9
Next, grasp the left bottom corner of the triangle, top layer only, and fold it upwards and inwards to meet the top point of the triangle. The bottom left edge of the triangle will come up to lie straight along the center vertical crease of the model. Crease and leave folded.
Step 10
Repeat with the bottom right corner.
You should now have a diamond shape on top of a triangle.
Step 11
Turn the model over and repeat Steps 9 and 10 on the other side to form a diamond or square shape.
Step 12
Fold the left and right points of the diamond shape towards each other so that they meet on the center vertical crease line. Make sure they are both lying straight with their points touching.
Step 13
Turn over and repeat on the other side of the model.
You should now be left with a flat, six-sided shape.
Farthest away from you, at the top of the model, will be two loose, triangular flaps while two pockets will have formed at the sides of the model.
Step 14
With the fingers of one hand, Open the left side pocket slightly while grasping the loose triangular flap at the top left of the model with the fingers of the other.
Fold this flap downwards and tuck it inside the opening of the pocket below it.
Press flat.
Repeat with the right flap.
This step can be tricky to accomplish. Take your time and do not be afraid to open the triangles at the sides of the diamond shape a little to make things a bit easier.
Make sure the top triangles are neatly tucked in as far as possible and crease well.
It is fine if a small part of the tucked-down flap can still be felt after it has been folded.
Step 15
Turn over and repeat tucking and folding the two flaps on the other side. You should still have a six-sided shape with a point at either end.
Step 16
Next, reposition the model so its triangular end points are to the left and right.
Form vertical creases at the left and right sides of the center square by folding both triangles inwards to meet each other.
Unfold.
Step 17
Turn the model over and repeat Step 16.
Step 18
Pick up your model. One end of the model will be closed. Find the open end and create a small opening by inserting your finger tip if necessary.
Hold the model lightly by the sides and pull apart slightly while blowing forcefully into the open end to inflate the cube.
You should be able to distinguish 4 sides of the cube as the model is inflated.
Press the two pointed ends carefully inwards to form the remaining 2 sides of the dice.
Shape the sides of the model carefully by pinching the edges and corners as needed.
Don't be discouraged if the cube does not turn out perfect the first time. Precise folding, well-creased lines and some practice is needed to make this model turn out well.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text instructions.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, September 2009
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