Credits and Resources:
Designer: Lindy van der Merwe/Traditional/Unknown
Text-Only Instructions - Copyright 2026 by Lindy van der Merwe
With thankful acknowledgement to Nishi Sakpal for folding and help with corrections/revisions of the text.
Note that this stand works well with MDL0103, the TRADITIONAL FAN, but it can also be used for single flowers, like the Tulip, Blossom and Simple Flower.
Folding level: Beginner to Intermediate
Paper to be used: Rectangular - for practice, use a standard sheet of copy paper that has been cut in half vertically.
Colored construction paper or thin cardstock is recommended for this model.
Steps: 24
Description: This is a fairly simple stand formed from a long rectangle. Accordion folds are first used, after which the main, upright part of the stand is constructed and locked into place.
The finished model has a narrow, but quite deep pocket, where another model may be inserted in an upright position.
On each side of the upright pocket, there is a flat, rectangular base, providing stability to the stand and a place to write a name or number if used for a place setting.
Fold this model in colors to match decor for any special occasion.
This tutorial is divided into 3 parts:
Part 1 - The Accordion Base
Part 2: Refolding the accordion into a mountain range.
Part 3 - Constructing and securing your stand
Part 1 - The Accordion Base
NOTE: This model starts from the Accordion Base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, place your rectangle in portrait orientation and fold it so it is divided into 8 panels lying horizontally across the rectangle.
Then go to Part 2.
You can also learn about the Accordion and other origami bases at the following link:
Step 1
Place your paper color-side down with the short sides top and bottom, or in portrait orientation.
Step 2
Bring the bottom edge of the model up to meet the top edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3A
Bring the bottom edge up to meet the horizontal center crease line created in Step 2. Crease and unfold.
Step 3B
Bring the top edge down to meet the horizontal center crease line. Crease and unfold.
Result: The model should now be divided into four equal sections.
Step 4A
Bring the bottom edge up to meet the horizontal crease line that is closest to the top edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4B
Bring the top edge down to meet the horizontal crease line that is closest to the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 5A
Bring the bottom edge up to meet the first horizontal crease line you encounter. Crease and unfold.
Step 5B
Bring the top edge down to meet the first horizontal crease line you encounter. Crease and unfold.
Result: The model should now be `divided into eight equal sections.
Part 2: Refolding the accordion into a mountain range
Step 6
Using a mountain fold, bring the bottom edge of the paper under, to the back of the model, along the first crease line up from the bottom.
Re-crease and leave folded.
Step 7
Bring the new, folded bottom edge up and over, using a valley fold, to meet the second crease up from the bottom.
Crease and leave folded.
Step 8
Repeat Steps 6-7 until the remainder of the model has been similarly pleated, each time folding and creasing the panels using alternating mountain and valley folds, so each panel will fold in a stack, on top of each other.
The resulting model should resemble a multi-layered rectangular strip that will show only one panel if viewed from the top.
Step 9
Re-position the model so that one of its short ends is nearest you and the top panel's right edge is free.
Step 10
Explanation
You are going to open your multi-layered rectangle to the left and right, but it is important not to open it all the way. Your aim should be to just open the accordion so that you will have a single "outer" panel flat on the table on each side, while you should have 3 mountain folds standing up at the center of the shape.
So, grasp the single top layer as well as the single layer at the bottom of your stack and very gently pull open your model. Press the left and right panels of the accordion flat on the table, leaving the center of the shape in a slightly folded state, so that it will look like 3 mountains or ramps, next to each other.
If you investigate the shape, you should be able to count 3 mountain folds. Think of each fold being connected by 2 vertical panels.
Step 11
For the final part, rotate your shape so that one of its short ends is nearest you again.
The accordion-folded strip should stretch away from you with the mountains standing up in front of you.
Part 3 - Constructing and securing your stand
Step 12
Find the central mountain peak and press the two panels of this fold together, holding it upright between the fingers of both hands.
You can press the remaining mountains flat for the moment, so they are out of your way.
We will call this standing, two-layered structure the central panel for the steps that follow.
Step 13
Take the left corner of the central panel you are holding up and fold it diagonally down towards you so the left edge meets the first horizontal crease you encounter.
A small, upright triangle should form on the left of the rectangle.
Crease well and unfold.
Step 14
Repeat this fold with the right corner.Unfold.
Step 15
Fold these same two corners again, but this time away from you, using mountain folds.
Unfold both times.
Step 16
Now, use the diagonal folds you have made to push the top left and right points of the rectangle so they disappear between the layers of the paper.
The result will be that your central panel now has two sloping edges at its top left and right sides.
It should still be standing up, like a wall.
Step 17
Find the two panels just behind the central rectangle now.
Press them together so a rectangle is formed that you can once again hold upright between the fingers of both hands.
Step 18
Bring the rectangle towards you so it touches the back of the central panel.
Take the left corner of this rectangle and fold it towards you, tucking it into the pocket formed by the central panel.
If you find it easier, you can first just make a diagonal fold, unfold and then do the tucking in step.
Step 19
Repeat tucking in the right corner in a similar way.
The rectangular panel furthest away from you have now been tucked into the central panel of the stand.
Step 20
Lastly, find the two panels just in front of the central panel, nearest you.
Press them together so a rectangle is formed that you can once again hold upright between the fingers of both hands.
Step 21
Press the rectangle away from you so it touches the front of the central panel.
Step 22
Take the left corner of this rectangle and fold it away from you, tucking it into the pocket formed by the central panel.
Step 23
Repeat tucking in the right corner in a similar way.
The rectangular panel nearest you has also been tucked into the central panel now.
Step 24
Make sure the two remaining rectangles on the table, the legs of the stand, are pressed as flat as possible and that the left and right corners of the stand are symmetrical. and neatly tucked in all the way.
The stand is now secure and ready for use.
Any flat model or object may be inserted into the pocket that has formed along the top edge of the central rectangle.
Making origami accessible through text-only instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, June 2024
Revised, May 2026
This text copyright 2026 by accessorigami.com and the author.
Comments
Post a Comment