MOD33 - MODULAR ORIGAMI - MINI PHOTO ALBUM (FROM 2 OR MORE SQUARES)

Credits and Resources:
Text-Only Instructions copyright 2025 by Lindy van der Merwe
accessorigami.com 

Instructions with supporting pictures and/or illustrations can be found at
youtube.com
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at first.
Squares cut from A4 construction, copy or printer paper will make frames of 10 cm x 10 cm.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 18
Description: 
This is an adorable and easy craft to make with children. It looks quite complicated, but is fairly easy to fold.
The model is made up of flat, square units that are smooth at the back with 4 triangular corners providing slots on the front of each unit where a photo or any square paper can be inserted.
To make a modular album you will need a minimum of 2 units. You can then add more units in even numbers, such as 4, 6, 8, etc.
The album can be opened and spread out in its long, unfolded format or be folded closed using the accordion method. The outside of the album will be smooth, so will lend itself to the use of specialized patterned paper or if plain paper is used, any type of embellishments can be added.
A separate cover can also be made if preferred.
Other project options for your mini album include:
- connecting the first and last units in a circle or a square to make a standing display with the photos on the outside.
- covering a round or square container with this modular creation.
- connect 3 units into a triangle or six units into a cube that can be used as a photo display.
It is a wonderful children's project to create a beautiful, personalized keepsake or a gift for a special person in your life.
PHASE 1 - FOLDING A UNIT
If using two-sided origami paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side down before starting to fold.
NOTE:  This model starts from the Blintz Base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, fold the Blintz Base twice; then go to Step 6.
Step 1
Place a square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 2
Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Make the Blintz fold by using the method you prefer to fold all four corners in to meet at the center of the square.
When pressed flat, you should end up with a smaller square-shaped model divided into 4 triangles.
Make sure that, as far as possible, all outside corners are folded neatly at a 90 degree angle and that the crease lines all lie straight and meet precisely in the center of the square.
Step 5
Position your paper once again as for Step 1 and then repeat Steps  2, 3 and 4 with your folded square.
You will be working with more layers of paper, so press down hard enough with your fingers to make strong creases. 
Step 6
Unfold the last step. and rotate your square so the points are facing top and bottom, left and right.
Notice that the model has a central area that will lie flat on the folding surface. This central square is made up of 4 single-layered square flaps. 
There will also be 4 triangles surrounding the main square area that will tend to stand up a little. Each triangle is divided down its center into 2 flaps of equal size.
The folds that follow will be performed on 3 of these triangles.
Step 7
Start by reversing the top corner so it comes to rest at the inside center of the square. Pre-existing folds will help you here.
Basically, open the two flaps of the top triangle to the sides while bringing down the point toward you so it comes to rest on top of the central square. You will be reversing the diagonal folds of the Double Blintz Base.
As the point is pulled down, the adjacent flaps will change their position and shape, folding upwards into 2 squares that will lie next to each other on top of the folded-in point.
What was the top point will now be a straight edge with 2 squares next to each other. Hidden just underneath these square flaps, you should be able to feel the small point of the triangle you have just folded down
Step 8
Now turn your model 90 degrees to the right or clockwise so you have a second point at the top and repeat Step 7.
Step 9
Turn the model clockwise once more and repeat Step 7 with a third point of your square.
Step 10
Leave the last point unfolded and rotate it so it is facing to the right.
Step 11
To complete your unit, fold all 4 loose points that come together at the center of the square under, using a mountain fold. 
If you find it easier and more accurate, you can first make a valley fold and then reverse it into a mountain fold. You will now be left with a square unit with a triangular point jutting out to the right. The square will have 4 triangular corner pockets as its top layer while there will also be 3 points at the center of the square, seeming to originate from underneath the corner pockets.
These last-mentioned points will remain as is.
The triangle jutting out on the right of the main square will have two layers and will have a slit that will separate it into a smaller top and bottom triangle.
It is this last unfolded triangle that will be used to join modules together.
PHASE 2 - FOLDING MORE UNITS
Step 12
Follow the steps above to fold more photo frame units so you have an equal number of units, e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8 etc.
Make sure all units look identical, with a triangular flap jutting out on their right sides. Place the folded units under a heavy book in order for the creases to be pressed flat. This will make the finished model look much neater.
PHASE 3 - ASSEMBLY
Step 13
Place your first 2 units down next to each other, both with their unfolded points to the right.
Think of the unit on the left as unit 1.
Step 14
Flip the triangular point that is jutting out on the right of unit 1 to the left, so it is out of the way for the moment and slide unit 2 as close to unit 1 as possible. The straight right edge of unit 1 should touch the straight left edge of unit 2.
Step 15
Now, focus on the left edge of unit 2. It is made up of a top and a bottom flap, each with a 90 degree corner, that can be lifted towards the right, away from the flat surface of the unit.
So, lift and hold the layers with your right hand until you find the smooth triangular space or pocket hiding underneath.
Step 16
Once you have located and revealed the triangular space of unit 2, unfold the triangle from unit 1 that you had flipped to the left previously and let it slide into this space.
The right triangular point of unit 1 should nestle nicely into the pocket or space on the left side of unit 2.
Press the flaps or layers of unit 2 that you had lifted flat again.
If you investigate the place where the edges of the units are joined, you will notice that the triangular flap of unit 1 is now hidden within the triangular pocket on the left edge of unit 2.
Step 17
Focus on this pocket and, making sure to include the point of unit 1 that is hiding inside it, fold under its right point, using a mountain fold that will touch the inside left edge of unit 2.
Press this last fold very well since this will join the two units together. You can confirm that you have made the join properly by very gently trying to pull the two units apart. If joined correctly, they should not move at all.
Step 18
Continue adding units to the right until you have an equal amount.
Then fold in the last triangle on the last unit so it folds neatly to the inside of the square, creating a straight edge for the last module of your album.
Making origami accessible through text instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
~`~Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, January 2025
Revised: June 2025
 This text copyright 2025 by accessorigami.com

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