MBFF034 - ORIGAMI - STURDY STAND BY ANNETTE CARR (FROM A RECTANGLE)

Design: Annette Carr
Text-Only Tutorial copyright 2026 by: Annette Carr and Lindy van der Merwe
Link: accessorigami.com
Steps: 17
Folding Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Description: This stand is based on the unit for the I-Squash-A-Hedron model by David Brill, which you will find at the following link: accessorigami.com. It forms a sturdy stand with a flat square as its base, a triangular support on each side and a central bar with a pocket where a flat object may be inserted.
Paper to be used: A 2x1 rectangle cut from a 20 cm square or larger.

Part 1

Make one unit by following Steps 1 to 10 from the following page: accessorigami.com.
Result: Your model will be flat on the table, forming an arch, with two pillars or "legs", one on the left and one on the right.
* Note: We will call this arch the "central bar".

  • * Important: Before continuing, ensure that both inside corners of the model are folded at a 90-degree right angle.

Part 2

Step 11

  • Focus on the right "leg" of the model.
  • Open the paper as you would open a book to reveal a flat "house" shape that will be made up of a square with a right-isosceles triangle roof.

Step 12

  • Flip the unit over from left to right and repeat Step 11 so you have another house.

Step 13

  • Pick up the unit from your folding surface and swivel both the "house" shapes to the left and then to the right a few times to ensure they will be able to move perpendicular to the central bar in both directions.

Step 14

  • Hold the unit so the central arch or bar is at the top, running in front of you from left to right, and so that the house shapes hang down from it.
  • Swivel the house on the right so it is perpendicular to the central bar. This means that the "front" of the house will face to the right.
  • Similarly, swivel the house shape on the left so it will also be at a 90-degree angle/perpendicular to the central bar. The front of this house will face to the left.

Step 15

  • Notice that at the back of the main part of the house shapes, there will be two slits.
  • We would like to open one of the slits and tuck one of the houses into the other, but to do this, we first have to fold both houses so they are lying underneath the central bar. It does not matter which one of the two houses we fold first.
  • Once folded, pinch along the bottom of the left and right roof parts of the shape.

Step 16

  • Next, unfold both of the folds just made and then tuck one of the houses into the slit of the other.
  • Make sure the fold is tucked in all the way and recrease strongly on both sides of the structure.
  • There will be a triangle on each side, with a multi-layered square now folded underneath the central bar.

Step 17

  • To use your Sturdy Stand, find the pocket located at the top of the central bar.
  • Slightly open it and tuck in any flat object. It will be held upright within the pocket and be supported by the triangular sides of the stand.

Making origami accessible through text-based tutorials.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled: September 2026
This text is © 2026 by accessorigami.com and the authors.