MOD55 - MODULAR PICTURE FRAME OR COASTER BY LINDY VAN DER MERWE (FROM 4 RECTANGLES)

Designer/Creator: Lindy van der Merwe/Traditional/Unknown

Text-Only Instructions: Copyright 2026 - Lindy van der Merwe

With thankful acknowledgement to Nishi Sakpal for testing and editing suggestions.

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.

Steps: 22

Folding level: Beginner/Intermediate

Paper to be used: 4 rectangles cut or torn from square sheets - any kind of paper should work for this model.

Rectangles from 20 cm squares will make a nice-sized coaster/frame of around 10 cm, while small rectangles from 10 cm note squares will make a mini frame of around 5 cm - perfect for a tree decoration, gift or id tag, or to carry in a wallet/purse.

A few paper clips may be helpful during assembly.

Description:  This is a flat, two-dimensional square coaster or picture frame.

The front consists of 4 triangles that are arranged in a pattern that seems to be slightly off-center, forming a four-sided opening where a photo may be inserted.

The back of the model features 4 triangles combined into an overlapping formation, with small triangles as a feature on each of the four corners of the coaster.

Remarks:

Like with many other paper folding models this one can be taught to children on a rainy afternoon or in a class setting.

It is a quick and easy project that could provide the opportunity for sharing good times and good memories with children or grandchildren and could make a treasured gift to a favourite teacher or for a sister, brother or grandparents.

This is a fairly easy model that can be used in scrap books, on cards or, for display and decorating around the house or office.

As mentioned, it may also be useful as a gift or ID tag for a back pack or luggage when traveling.

Using origami or other colored paper will form an attractive pattern, making this photo frame/coaster even more eye-catching.

If you are using two-sided paper, make sure that the side you want for the outside of the model is facing down before you start to fold.

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: CREATING THE UNITS

You will be folding 4 similar units to form your model.

Step 1

Place a rectangle down with its short edges left and right, or in landscape orientation.

Step 2

Fold the top left corner down so that the left edge meets the bottom edge of the rectangle.

Crease well and leave folded.

Step 3

Fold the bottom right corner up so that the right edge meets the top edge of the rectangle.

Crease well and leave folded.

Result: You will have a four-sided diamond-shaped figure or a parallelogram.

The back of the figure will be smooth and the front will be divided into two triangles that meet each other along the vertical center of the shape.

Note that we will call this vertical center division Line Y.

Step 4

Next, rotate your shape 90 degrees to the right until Line Y is horizontally running in front of you.

Your model will now resemble an elongated diamond that seems to slope from the top left to the bottom right.

Step 5

Bring the bottom point of the shape straight up and away from you, using Line Y as your folding line.

Result: The unit will have a straight bottom edge that should lie from left to right or horizontally in front of you, with two large triangles pointing away from you, resembling the ears of a cat.

The left triangle will seem to peek out from behind the right triangle.

Step 6

Lastly, focusing on the right/front triangle, take its top point and bring it towards you and all the way to the right, so what was the left sloping edge now aligns with the bottom edge of the figure.

Result: The two-layered triangle on the right has now been folded down to form a smaller, long, skinny triangle with its point reaching past the right edge of the model.

Your unit is ready.

Phase 2: Fold more similar units

Repeat steps 1 to 6 3 more times so you have 4 similarly shaped units to work with.

If using 2 colors, group your units accordingly and place them underneath a heavy book or similar object for extra neatness.

Explanation:

Check out one of your folded units.

Position the figure so that the long, skinny triangle you folded last, is facing the ceiling and is in a vertical position, forming the right edge of the unit, which can be divided into 3 triangular areas:

On the left, will be Triangle A, a large, two-layered triangle with its two raw edges closest to you.

Triangle B, on the right, will be the multi-layered, skinny triangle you formed in Step 6 above.

Triangle C is an extension of the front layer of Triangle B. It will be the small, two-layered flap at the top right of the figure and should be considered separate from Triangle B.

Phase 3: Assembling your model

Step 7

Take your first unit and place it down as described in the explanation above, with the long, skinny triangle on the right, facing in a straight line away from you.

Step 8

Take the second unit and rotate it 90 degrees to the left so that Flaps B and C are furthest away from you; Flap A will have its two raw edges on the right now.

Place unit 2 down on the table to the left of unit 1.

You can picture unit 1 as forming the right edge of a square frame, while unit 2 will form the edge furthest away from you.

Step 9

To join the two units, first lift up Flap B on the right of unit 1 so it is upright. Think of the flap as a pocket or a barrier that will form an edge on the right of the figure.

Make sure that you are holding Flap B straight, in a vertical position and that it is upright, like a wall, for the next step.

Step 10

Now slide unit 2 toward the right until it is stopped by Flap B.

Step 11

Before continuing, check the bottom right corner of your assembly, making sure that the two units are aligned.

Put another way, the nearest point of unit 2 should not protrude beyond the bottom edge of the assembly.

If this is the case, gently move unit 2 away from you while holding unit 1 steady on the right, until you can feel that the two units are aligned.

You can also check that the top edge of unit 2 is aligned with the fold line that divides Flaps B and C on the right.

Step 12

You can now let go of Flap B of unit 1 so it closes and lies flat to the left like it was before.

It will now cover part of unit 2.

Step 13

Now focus on Flap C at the top right of the assembly.

Fold it away from you, using a mountain fold, and tuck it into the diagonal pocket you will find on the back side of the assembly.

There will be a "dividing line" between Flaps B and C, so you can make sure that this line will align with the top edge of the assembly as you fold Flap C over to the back side.

Make a strong, straight fold and tuck the point of Flap C into the diagonal corner at the back of the assembly.

Result: Your first two units will be joined, forming a nice 90 degree corner at the top right of the assembly.

If preferred, temporarily secure this corner with a paper clip.

The front of the assembly will feature a triangle sloping down from top left all the way to the bottom right corner of the shape.

At the back of the assembly, Flap C should have formed a cute little corner at the top right of the figure.

Note: If you have not secured your units with a paper clip, when rotating your assembly for the next step, make sure to hold units 1 and 2 together at the top right corner where they are joined since they will not be secured in place yet.

Step 14

Once you have the first 2 units connected, rotate them 90 degrees to the right so unit 2 will now be ready for unit 3 to be added from the left.

You will find that you now won't be able to lift up Flap B all the way anymore, since it is tucked under the previous unit, forming a closed corner on the bottom right and it will also have been secured with a paper clip if used.

Step 15

So, temporarily remove the paper clip and just lift Flap B slightly so you can slide in unit 3, making sure you open the bottom right corner of the assembly carefully, but completely.

Step 16

Once unit 3 is in place, as before, fold over Flap C to the back of the assembly, tucking it into the small pocket just behind it. Your units will tend to still shift around a bit, so use another paper clip to hold this second corner in place.

As you insert and secure the last unit, if you have folded your corners neatly, your coaster will stay together with no problem.

Step 17

After unit 3 is inserted, rotate the assembly 90 degrees to the right for the last time.

Step 18

Explanation

Notice that there will be a large, loose triangular flap making up the top center part of the model now.

This two-layered triangle is actually from unit 1.

Keep in mind that once you have inserted unit 4 in the usual way, you will have to find this flap of unit 1 and pull it from underneath unit 4 in order to secure and complete the assembly.

Step 19

So, bringing unit 4 from the left, slide it in as you did with previous units, under Flap B on the right, also making sure its point is tucked into the bottom right corner of the assembly.

Leave Flap C unfolded for the moment.

Step 20

Now, reach around the left and underneath unit 4 to find the flap of unit 1 mentioned earlier.

Gently bring it on top of unit 4, but take care that it is tucked in under Flap B that is now forming the top edge of the assembly.

Slide it in all the way to the right, as far as it will go.

Step 21

Lock the two small remaining triangles (Flap C on the left and Flap C at the top right corner) into place at the back of the figure.

Step 22

Remove all paper clips. Your modular assembly will now be complete and will stay securely folded. If you check the front and back of your frame, you will see the rotating, overlapping pattern that has formed.

One side will have formed a frame around a flat center area, where you will be able to insert a picture. The other/back side of the model will feel much more solid and smooth.

Making origami accessible through text-based tutorials.

For non-commercial use only.

Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, July 2026

This text copyright 2026 by accessorigami.com and the author.