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MODULAR ORIGAMI - EASY CUBE (FROM 4 SQUARES) WITH ACCESSORIES (FROM 4 SQUARES) - html
This easy cube is from the Aveuglami website at aveuglami.fr, the home of The Aveuglami Project.
Original text for this model in French, copyright Michel Lucas.
aveuglami.fr/AveuglamiWeb/fichesNV/nvzcubemod4
Folded with the friendly help of Google Translate.
Designer/Creator: Unknown/Traditional
Description and more information:
Please note that 2 simple accessories are available to use with this and other cubes.
ACCESSORY 1: DISPLAY STAND (FROM 2 SQUARES)
A CCESSORY 2: WRAP BAND (FROM 2 SQUARES)
This model is a three-dimensional closed six-sided cube or dice. It is created by folding very simple units with only valley folds with no diagonals.
The cube is smooth on the outside and although the model itself might seem not to be that sturdy, it holds well together and will withstand light use.
Note squares will work well for this project, allowing you to work with different colors; however, thicker paper like construction paper or thin cardstock might be a bit easier to use, especially for younger folders or beginners.
You will need 4 squares for the cube, 2 squares for Accessory 1 and 2 squares for Accessory 2; so, 8 in total.
If folded from thicker paper, this model makes a nice sturdy open box or use it as a closed gift box by inserting something before attaching the last single unit.
If lightly wrapped with ribbon, it also makes a nice hanging decoration.
Warning: Do not try to enlist the help of any pets with this model. It has been observed that especially cats and/or dogs find this model very interesting, but they may want to play with or chew on some or all of your carefully folded modules, which will be a real problem since you need all 4 pieces for the finished cube. These animals are also not helpful during the assembly phase since their noses, paws and tongues tend to get in the way a lot, generally resulting in a somewhat damp, crumpled heap of unrecognizable blobs that may still be identifiable as paper, or if you have made the mistake of leaving your assembly unattended, you might find nothing left but some minute paper pieces.
Instructions:
NOTE: This model requires folding your square into thirds. A folding method is described below in Step 2, but if you prefer, you could use a template to help.
Try to create a template from cardstock or similar durable paper if you are able to use the method in Step 2, or consider asking someone to help you make a template from the size of squares you most often use.
You can then keep this template in your origami kit for use at any time.
All folds should be made as valley folds.
Phase 1: Folding the first unit
Step 1
If using two-sided origami paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side down before starting to fold.
Place the square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 2
Divide and fold your square into thirds.
The easiest method I have found to do this is to pick up your paper and gently fold the sides over to their opposite edges. Adjust your folds on both sides before making small creases right at the edges of the paper to mark where you will fold.
Don't worry if this is difficult at first. It will become easier with practice.
After making the marks, unfold all the way again.
Step 3
Important: It was fine to use a zig-zag or accordion fold to mark your folds as described in the previous step, but do not use this type of fold for the next steps. For this model, you need to create a secure pocket so you need to fold the paper over and then over again.
So, using the small marks you have made, fold the left third of the square over so it lies on top of the center third and then over once more, like you would a letter going into an envelope.
Crease well and leave folded.
You should now have a long, enclosed rectangle forming a kind of pocket.
Step 4
Now, fold this long, closed rectangle into thirds in the same way as in the previous step, but now from top to bottom.
So, after making your small marks, fold the top third down over the center and then over once more so that you have a small square with many layers.
Step 5
Crease and unfold so you have the closed rectangle again, but now it will have a central square, flat on the table with two more squares, standing up straight in the air on opposite sides of the central square.
Keep in mind that all 3 squares of each unit are exactly the same size.
This completes the basic folded unit.
Step 6
For now, place the unit so the central square is facing the table with the two flaps in an upright position or facing the ceiling.
Phase 2: Fold more similar units
Repeat steps 1 to 6 3 more times so you have 4 similarly shaped units to work with.
Step 7
Explanation:
First look at one of your folded units.
* It has a central square with a flap on two sides. It resembles a table or desk that is lying upside-down. Make sure you can identify the central square as the flat area of each unit.
* The square and its flaps will be smooth on both sides.
* The flaps of each unit are opposite each other and also square. They are exactly the same size as the central square.
* Notice that all the flaps that are standing up, are also pockets. You can gently open them a little to confirm they are closed on both sides and that you have actually folded them correctly.
* Each unit will also have a single-layered loose flap because you have folded the squares into thirds. If you have constructed your units as mentioned in Phase 1, this single-layered flap will be on the inside of the units. So, make sure you insert a flap into a pocket when assembling your cube and not into the single-layered flaps.
* This means that the actual pockets will be on the outside of the cube once it is finished, so you will not have any loose flaps hanging around on the outside of the cube.
* In the instructions that follow, you will be working with, on the one hand, the central square and, on the other, what we have termed the two flaps of each unit.
All the loose flaps of the units should stand up at a 90 degree angle to the central square, since this is how your cube will be formed into a three-dimensional shape.
Phase 3: Assembling your model
This phase is sub-divided into Parts 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3.
3.1 Making Figure 1
Step 8
Place a unit so its central square is flat on your folding surface. The two flaps or pockets should stand straight up into the air and they should be on the left and right of the main square.
Step 9
Now take the second unit and hold it above the first, with the flaps pointing straight down and also on the left and right sides.
Step 10
Insert the 2 flaps of unit 2 into the pockets of unit 1. You can gently press the sides of the pockets so they will open a little.
Push the flaps of unit 2 down all the way.
You can either try to push down both flaps into the pockets at the same time, or first complete the left side and then repeat this move with the right pocket and flap.
Step 11
You will know you have folded correctly if You now have what looks like a shape with 4 faces formed and 2 sides are open, or a box without a top or bottom.
Make sure the flaps of unit 2 is pushed all the way into the pockets of unit 1 at this point, so that all edges are even and neat.
Mentally name this structure as figure 1 and set aside.
3.2 Making Figure 2
Step 12
Now, take units 3 and 4 and perform the same steps as you did to form Figure 1, except do not push unit 4 in all the way. You will now have a second structure, also with 2 sides open, but it will be slightly wider than the first figure.
3.3 Putting the figures together
Step 13
Place Figure 2 on a flat surface with one of its open sides facing the ceiling and the other facing the table.
Step 14
Take Figure 1 and turn it so that the open sides are at the left and right and insert it into Figure 1 from the top.
Put in another way, let the smaller Figure 1 sink into the slightly larger Figure 2.
Step 15
You can now pick up your model and tighten the outer around the inner figure.
If all went well, you will now hold the cutest cube that is also a beautiful box.
ACCESSORY 1: DISPLAY STAND (FROM 2 SQUARES)
1 You will need the Easy Cube (from 4 squares) already folded.
2 You will need 2 more squares of the same size as used to fold the cube.
3 Follow the instructions for the Easy Cube, but only create one structure, namely Figure 1, which will be the box-like shape without a top or bottom.
4 Take the completed Figure 1 structure and place it with one of the open sides facing up.
5 Now take the cube and turn it at an angle, so one of its points is facing straight down.
6 Place it on top of the stand with the down-facing point sunk into the top of the open stand.
7 Once placed, if necessary, you can adjust it slightly so that one of the corners point straight up towards the ceiling.
8 The cube will balance perfectly on top of the stand, creating an interesting decorative item.
ACCESSORY 2: WRAP BAND (FROM 2 SQUARES)
1 You will need the Easy Cube (from 4 squares) already folded.
2 You will need 2 more squares of the same size as used to fold the cube in the same colors or you can use another color like gold or silver.
3 Follow the instructions for the Easy Cube, folding 2 units only.
4 Place the 2 units with their short edges facing each other to make a long band.
5 Make sure the single-layered flaps of both units are facing the table.
6 Slide unit 1 into the pocket formed by unit 2, only as far as the first crease you encounter, to make a long, connected folded strip.
7 Fold a square inwards on the left and right short edges of the strip along the first vertical crease you encounter.
8 Work with the left square first. Now, take the single-layered point of the flap on the left and fold it diagonally down to reach the bottom, left corner of the square.
9 Now work with the right square. Take the single-layered point of the flap on the right and fold it diagonally up to reach the top, right point.
You will have a long strip with 2 little triangles at the left and right ends that are facing in opposite directions.
10 Place your Easy Cube on top of the long band, at its center, so you have the same length of the band sticking out on the left and right of the cube.
11 Bring both ends of the band up and around the cube, so the 2 ends meet on top of the cube.
12 Tuck one of the bands into the other so that the 2 triangles meet each other on top of the cube. The triangular flaps will stand up.
13 You can let the triangular points stand at an angle, facing away from each other or gently curl them to the outside, simulating the shape of a bow on top of the band around your cube.
Making origami accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled: The Accessible Origami Project, May 2023, with thankful acknowledgement to Michel Lucas
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