Designer/Creator: Unknown/Traditional
Text-Only Instructions - Copyright 2025 by Lindy van der Merwe
accessorigami.com
For instructions with visuals, you can visit
origami-fun.com
Paper to be used: 4 or more squares; speciality origami paper or colored paper of a medium thickness is recommended.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 18
Description and more information:
This star is assembled from units that are all folded in a similar way.
You can make this origami modular star with as many or as few modules as you like ... Six may be a good figure to try.
But you can add more modules than 6, or have less if you like... the more you add, the more 3-D the star becomes.
The star holds together well with no glue and makes a beautiful decoration or display.
Also, the folding and joining method is quite intuitive and there are no compoicated folds.
You can use alternating colors if preferred, make your star from only one color or go to the other extreme and create a multi-colored star, as long as the squares you choose are all the same size.
Remarks:
Stars are always beautiful to fold for many different occasions, or just for fun throughout the year.
Use bright or metallic colors to make table decorations, garlands or wall displays.
Make as a group or individual project with children and decorate with glitter, sequence or any other embellishments if preferred.
For any questions, comments or suggestions, please email accessorigami@gmail.com
Note that, in the instructions below, the correct positioning of the model during the folding process is very important, so take extra care to orient your paper correctly for each step.
Phase 1 - Folding the module
NOTE: This module starts from the Waterbomb or Balloon Base.
If you are able to achieve this without instructions, fold the base, then go to Step 9.
You can also learn about the Waterbomb and other origami bases at the following link:
Most-Used Origami Bases
Step 1
Position a square of paper on your work surface so that its edges are facing up and down, left and right.
Step 2
Bring the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Turn the paper over and position the square 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 resulting triangle at its left and right sides and push inward. The folds you made previously should allow the model to collapse into a triangular shape with one folded flap sticking out towards the front of the model and one sticking out towards the back.
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 will be facing you.
Step 9
Take the bottom left and right points of the triangle, the top layer only, and fold them up to meet the top point of the triangle.
Crease along the left and right edges and leave folded.
Step 10
Flip the model over sideways, or from left to right.
Step 11
Repeat Step 9 on this side of the paper so the model is symmetrical.
Step 12
Unfold all four legs about halfway so your unit becomes a bit three-dimensional.
Result: You will have a multi-layered square or diamond shape with four moveable flaps.
Phase 2 - Folding more modules.
Make more of these units.
Four units may be the minimum to start with, but six would be a good average. Adding more units will make a more 3D star.
Phase 3 - Assembly
Explanation
Place a unit with its closed point facing away from you and press the half-open flaps so they lie almost flat. You will find that each flap is also a pocket with its opening facing you.
Step 13
Place your first unit down with its point facing away from you and rotate the unit slightly to the left, as if the triangle is now forming the top left half of a square.
This will give you access to the pockets for the next step.
Note that there are two pockets that are open to the right; one is lying on top of the other.
Step 14
Position unit 2 to the right of unit 1, in a similar way, but as if it is forming the top right corner of a square.
Think of the flaps of unit 2 as points that will be inserted into the pockets of unit 1.
Consider that the top edges of both units are forming a horizontal line now, which means that the points of unit 2 will be able to slide straight into the pockets of unit 1.
Step 15
Insert the two points of unit 2 all the way into the two pockets of unit 1.
You can either lift the top flaps out of the way while you work with the two flaps nearest the table; then you can work with the two flaps nearest the ceiling.
Alternatively, you can open both pockets simultaneously on the left and slide the two points into them coming from the right.
Don't worry too much about the valley folds you will be undoing here. It is fine and actually necessary to stretch the pockets and points out and open them enough so that they can fit properly.
Result: The two units are now joined and the top edge of the assembly forms a straight horizontal line with a 90 degree corner on the left and another on the right.
Step 16
If you investigate the top edge of the shape you will find that it can be opened, revealing a triangular pocket.
To form the 3D part of the star, we need to open and puff out this pocket.
To do this, find the valley crease lines that you had to flatten earlier and, turn them into strong mountain folds by placing your forefingers inside the pocket and press your hands together. This will cause the pocket to open into a four-sided bowl-like or funnel shape. Reinforce the four diagonal folds that have formed so the structure will stay open. This action will also lock the first two units securely together.
Step 17
Repeat Steps 13 to 16 with more modules, rotating the assembly to the left and joining new units from the right.
You will notice a circle starting to form.
Step 18
Once you have added the number of units you prefer, insert the points of the first unit into the pockets of the last unit.
Reinforce the 3D funnel shape as before and make sure all the pockets forming the star look the same.
Your Simple Star is ready to shine.
Making origami accessible through text-based instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, February 2025
This text copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com
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