Text-Only Instructions - Copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
Credits and Resources:
For instructions with visuals, see
instructables.com
If you are aware of any other source where this model or similar might be listed, please let me know so I can reference it under this heading.
With thankful acknowledgement to Stephan van der Merwe for helping with this beautiful model - special thanks for your support over many years.
Paper to be used: 8 squares - any kind of paper should work for this model, though very smooth, shiny paper may cause your units to disassemble themselves more easily, in which case you might need glue for the sake of durability.
If you don't like using glue, normal colored origami or craft paper should work fine.
Level: Easy/Intermediate
Steps: 14
Description: This is a flat, two-dimensional wreath, with 8 triangular points forming the outline, while the inside of the figure is an open circle. The wreath has curved contours along its inner and outer edges, giving it an intricate, braided look.
You can use 1 or 2 colors for this wreath. If using 2 colors, make sure you alternate them, so that they will make a nice pattern.
This is a large wreath, so great to use as door or wall decorations. The structure does not need glue, but you may want to secure it at the back for the sake of durability.
Remarks:
Wreaths are always beautiful to fold for many different occasions, including religious holidays like Christmas,as new seasons arrive or just for fun throughout the year.
You can use colors like silver, gold, red, green or blue and tie with matching ribbon to hang the wreaths on a door or around the house.
Use on cards or as decorations on gifts.
Make as a project with children and decorate with glitter, sequence or any other embellishments if preferred.
Glue the shape onto a card or other base to make a photo frame or coaster.
If you are using two-sided paper, make sure that the side you want for the outside of the wreath is facing down before you start to fold.
Note that, in the instructions below, the correct positioning of the model during both the folding and assembly process is very important, so take extra care to orient your paper correctly for each step.
PHASE 1: CREATING THE UNITS
You will be folding 8 similar units to form your wreath.
Step 1
Place a square down with its points left and right, top and bottom, or in a diamond orientation.
Step 2
Fold the bottom point up to meet the top point, to form a two-layered triangle.
Crease and leave folded.
Step 3
We are going to make a squash fold to form a small square at the bottom right point of our large triangle. To do this:
First, fold the new bottom right point of your triangle upwards, to meet the top point.
Make a crease and then fold this same point down again, to meet the bottom point of the triangle.
Crease and unfold.
Notice that the triangle is actually a pocket with its opening on the right.
To make the actual squash fold, open the pocket and bring the top point down to meet the bottom right point of the triangle.
The fold from the previous step will help you.
The paper will open and collapse into a small square that will form on the right edge of the model.
Press flat.
Make sure the edges and point of your small square align exactly with that of the large triangle.
It should look like it has formed on top of the large triangle, with no part of it extending over the corner that will now have formed along the right side of the large triangle.
Step 4
Note the position of your model at this point:
Its long, closed edge will be in a straight line, nearest you.
The small square you have created will be on the far right of the shape, almost like an arrow pointing to the right.
Furthest away from you, will be the two loose top points of the original triangle.
Keeping your unit in this exact orientation, flip it over from left to right.
We have two more steps to perform on this side of the unit.
Step 5
On this side of the unit, you will now have a smooth surface. The small square will now be at the left, but it will be hidden.
Make sure you have the long edge of the shape, once again, straight in front of you, running from left to right.
Now, fold the two loose, top corners straight down to meet the bottom point of the shape.
This is a straight horizontal fold. You will know you have done it correctly if you now have a new, upsidedown triangle on the left side of the unit.
Also, importantly, a very small triangle will now be poking out from behind the shape, at the top left corner.
This triangle is the top part of your small square that is sticking out from behind your unit.
The last, third part of the shape is made up of another large triangle, this one on the far right, with its base nearest you.
Step 6
Focus on the large triangle on the right of the unit.
You want to fold it in half or over on itself. To do this, take its bottom right point and fold it to the left point.
You can use the triangle on its left as a guide. The edges of the two triangles will align next to each other.
Step 7
Flip your unit over from left to right again, making sure it is in the same orientation as before, with the small square pointing to the right.
This completes the basic folded unit.
Phase 2: Fold more similar units
Repeat steps 1 to 7 7 more times so you have 8 similarly shaped units to work with.
If using 2 colors, group your units accordingly and make sure to place them all in the orientation described above.
If preferred, place your units under a heavy book or similar object for a while. This will let the creases settle into place, helping with the assembly and making your creation look neat and tidy.
Explanation:
First look at one of your folded units.
* The small square you have created on the front of each unit will serve as the pocket where a new unit will be inserted.
* New units will always be inserted from the right.
* To secure our units, we will be turning the shape over, making a very small fold at the back, before turning the unit back again to continue with the assembly.
* All will become clearer as you start the next phase.
Phase 3: Assembling your model
Step 8
Take your first unit and place it down on a flat surface in the orientation indicated above.
Step 9
Take unit 2 in your right hand, holding it in exactly the same orientation as unit 1.
Step 10
Now, slightly open the small square on the right of unit 1 and slide the left point of unit 2 all the way into the small square pocket.
You will know you have done it correctly if you can feel almost no movement between the units.
Step 11
Keeping the units held together as much as possible, flip them over right to left.
If necessary, simply press them back into place if you feel they may have shifted with the flipping of the assembly.
You can gently lift the units to feel the underside of the assembly to make sure the units are inserted snugly.
Check there is no movement between the units and then hold the assembly down with a finger to keep it in place.
Step 12
To make the small fold that will secure the units, do the following:
Coming from the left, slide your finger past the small triangle, moving in a straight line to the right until you find a small point. This point will seem as if it is lying on top of the paper. Actually, it is the left point of unit 1.
Just behind this point, very slightly to its right, you should find a loose, two-layered edge or flap. This flap will run from top to bottom or vertically.
To make the actual fold, take the point mentioned above and fold it over, using a mountain fold.
You will only need to make a very small fold here, so try not to force things. You will notice that only a very small part of the point will be able to fold over the long flap next to it.
Once folded, make a really hard crease through all the layers of the paper, before carefully turning the assembly back to the front side again.
Step 13
Rotate your figure to the left so the small square of the last unit is horizontal, ready for the next unit to be added from the right.
Step 14
Continue adding units until you are able to connect unit 8 with unit 1.
Once you are comfortable with how the units fit together, an alternative method may be to simply lift the unit on the right and fold the small point over at the back, without turning the entire assembly over each time.
Place the finished wreath under something heavy to make sure the small points are really pressed flat before hanging your wreath.
Making origami accessible through text instructions.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, July 2024
This text copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
Comments
Post a Comment