Since in recent days, I have been trying out many modular origami. I wanted to try out the inverse of the previous model I had folded - the 120-unit rhombic icosahedron using Tomoko Fuse's double-sided convex hexagonal rings. This time, I had used concave modules. As before, this one is also made of 120 modules.

This model turned out to be one of my most challenging. Mainly because this was like assembling the model upside down! And initially quite a few times, I started assembling the pieces as I would a regular icosahedron, with the cones pointing out. Then I had to undo and reassemble correctly. A lot of painful rework! Also, as the assembly progressed, I found that there were a few instances when I just couldn't get that little tab (the one that inserts into the adjourning section?) in place. Finally, I just gave up, but the model is so tight that there is no way the pieces will slip out. I can even use it as a football I think :)

Model Details:

Model: Double-sided Concave Hexagonal Ring 120 unit Rhombic Icosahedron 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Polyhedron Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Complex

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.4 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 120

The Rhombic Icosahedron from Tomoko Fuse's book 'Unit Polyhedron Origami' is folded from 120 rectangular units. The assembly of this model is a serious test of patience! Folding the units took me a couple of days - it is no joke folding 60 yellow and 60 blue units! Assembly took me nearly half a day, a whole lot of patience and the aid of a couple of toothpicks. I was so tempted to tear the whole thing when I was assembling the last few pieces. Only the thought of folding another 120 pieces kept from doing it :)

The model is very sturdy. Well, I had used 80 gsm paper, so that was a very good decision in my view. Before assembling the model, I completed the 12 5-unit yellow centers first. Then I proceeded to add the blue units in the 3 and 4-unit assembly. In fact, I think if I had assembled the 3-unit blue sets as well, that would have made it even easier.

Altogether, a good, challenging model for me. There is another 120-unit model made from concave units, which would be the inverse of this model. I hope to do it. Some time, hopefully in the near future!

Model Details:

Model: Double-sided Convex Hexagonal Ring 120 unit Rhombic Icosahedron 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Polyhedron Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Complex

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.4 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~6 inches in diameter

Modules: 120

Tutorial: Youtube

Maria Vakhrusheva's Fiesta Kusudama origami is a model that I discovered recently. It is a fairly simple and elegant model and I love the way mine has turned out. I had used origami paper that was dark blue on one side and light blue on the other.

There are 2 ways of assembly - the 3-unit cones look more traditional, so I opted for the 5-unit cone.

Model Details:

Model: Fiesta Kusudama

Creator: Maria Vakhrusheva

Diagram: The Fold Magazine (for registered members only)

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 5 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube

The next model that I tried from my recently bought copy of Ekaterina Lukasheva’s new book ‘Modern Kusudama Origami' is the Centaurea Flower. It is a very pleasant looking model which requires duo-coloured paper. I used paper that was solid pink on one side and had little flowers on the other.

The model was of intermediate difficulty. I liked the way the petals shaped up. While the suggested paper size was 7 cms, I used 7.5 cm squares. The end result was a kusudama ball, about 5 inches in diameter.

Model Details:

Model: Centaurea Cyanus

Model: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Book: Modern Kusudama Origami

Author: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 5 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 30

After a long gap, I am back to folding and updating my blog! Recently I bought Ekaterina Lukasheva's new book 'Modern Kusudama Origami'. And now I am enjoying folding the models. I decided I will start folding from the beginning and start with the models that needed square sheets of paper. There are quite a few models folded from rectangles too.

The first few models are stars and flowerets which I haven't tried out as yet. I was more keen on trying the actual kusudamas and started with the model named 'Rio'. It reminds me of Mio Tsugawa's 'Arabesque'.

The kusudama is made from 30 square modules. The book recommends paper of size 7 cm * 7 cm. I used 7.5 cm by 7.5 cm, orange/yellow paper. For some reason, initially I found connecting the modules very difficult. I think my origami brain has rusted! Finally I did figure out how the flap goes into the pocket. After that, the process was quite easy.

Model Details:

Model: Rio

Creator: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Book: Modern Kusudama Origami

Author: Ekaterina Lukasheva

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 6 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 30

The Icosahedral Kit is yet another of the Polyhedron kits from Miyuki Kawamura's book 'Polyhedron Origami'. In this modular origami, 2 kinds of modules are used - the Edge module and the Vertex module. The icosahedron kit is made from a total of 12 vertex modules and 30 edge modules - a grand total of 42 modules.

Double-sided paper works best, since the back of the vertices are visible through all those gaps. The modules are fairly easy to fold and assemble. I used glue as a precaution, but it is not absolutely needed. The size of the paper that I had used was 3 inches and it resulted in a fairly big icosahedron - about 6 inches in diameter.

Model Details:

Model: Icosahedron Kit

Creator: Miyuki Kawamura

Book: Polyhedron Origami

Author: Miyuki Kawamura

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: 6 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 42

Tutorial: Youtube

 This Christmas has been a very busy time for me. I had participated in a couple of Christmas sales and have been busy making paper jewelry! And paper jewelry is time-consuming work! So I didn't get a lot of time to make anything special for Christmas 2014.

One thing that I did try was this modular star. The star is actually made from Bascetta Star modules. The star requires a total of 24 modules. The modules are folded as usual. For assembly, instead of using 3 modules for the pyramids, here we use 4. From then on, it is pretty straight forward. Keep adding modules in a circle. I found it easier to assemble the circle first and then worry about fixing the centre. I used glue to hold the joints well, since I had planned on adding it to my Christmas tree.

The first star that I did was in rainbow colours. I think a better choice of paper would have been paper coloured on both sides, like copy paper. So I did another star with Christmas colours. Very happy with the result this time :)

So that is my Christmas decoration for this year. Hope you have fun with this model :)

A very merry and joyous Christmas to my readers. Have a wonderful day :)

Model Details:

Model: Modular Star

Creator: Paolo Bascetta

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~ 6 inches diameter

Number of Modules: 24

Tutorial Link (for making the modules): Youtube

Fumiaki Kawahata's most well-known origami is probably the Origami Yoda. But, I doubt I will ever make it - for one, I am not very clear on who exactly Yoda is (Star Wars and I are galaxies apart!!) and two, I am not really good at folding people/animals/birds from paper. Somehow my models don't come out with a smooth finish and end up looking very unrealistic!

The modular ball, on the other hand, is one of only 3 modular origami designed by Fumiaki Kawahata. I have always been put off by how complex it looks, until I finally gave it a try today. Surprisingly, it is pretty easy to make. There are 6 modules that are basically pleated. Each corner is folded perpendicularly to the initial pleat, to form 2 perpendicular arms.

Now the way the model is put together is something I have not seen before! There is none of the usual tabs and pockets to assemble the model. Instead, 2 modules are placed facing each other, so that their perpendicular arms meet in the centre. Now, these 2 arms hold in place a third module. It is a little tricky initially, but pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Only thing to remember is that, if one module is taken out, the whole model will come undone.

Model Details:

Model: Modular Ball

Creator: Fumiaki Kawahata

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.5 inches

Model Size: ~ 3 inches

Tutorial - Modules: Youtube

Tutorial - Assembly: Youtube

With Tomoko Fuse's lecture and workshop coming up this weekend, I decided to try out another of her popular designs - the Petals Kusudama (Type II). The kusudama is made from 30 units. Each unit has a base and an inset, which is folded into the base. The units are assembled like a sonobe. The kusudama holds well even without any glue, though, since I wanted to make it into a hanging ornament, I ended up gluing the joins.

A 3-colour combination works well for the kusudama. And for that, it is best to ensure that the paper used for the insets is single-sided - coloured on one side and white on the other. If it is double sided, then it works best if the paper has a different colour on both sides.

I used copy paper for the base and 60 gsm origami paper for the insets. So the model turned out pretty strong and sturdy. I also ended up making a tassel (this is pretty tedious work!) and string it along with a few beads and the kusudama to get myself a very pretty ornament :)

Model Details:

Model: Petals – Type II – Kusudama

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Floral Origami Globes

Author: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 3.5 inches by 1.7 inches

Model Size: ~ 4 inches

Number of Modules: 15 rectangles of 1 colour and 15 rectangles of a second colour

Tutorial: Youtube

The Origami Star Dodecahedron is one of the many models that can be folded using the SIP (Six Intersection Pentagrams) Unit. The SIP model was co-discovered independently by Francesco Mancini, Jared Needle and Leong Cheng Chit. The same unit can be used to fold the Star Icosidodecahedron (60 units), the Star Dodecahedron (30 units) and the Star Prism (15 units). And since I tend to fold a lot of 30-unit models, I tried out the star dodecahedron :)

The units are fairly easy to fold and assemble. I had used handmade marble paper and am quite pleased with the way it turned out. And I absolutely love the ethnic feel that the background adds to the picture! 😍

Model Details:

Model: Star Dodecahedron

Creator: Francesco Mancini

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 4 inches * 2 inches

Model Size: 7 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Diagram: Creating Origami (The pdf provides the instructions for the Six Integrating Pentagram model, but the first page of the pdf has the diagrams for folding the unit)

Tutorial: Youtube 

The strawberry wreath is a simple variation of the origami traditional 16-pointed star. While the original star is single-coloured, this variation is double coloured and looks good with double-sided paper. The moment Little Miss saw the strawberry colours I had used for this star, she decided that it should be named the Strawberry Wreath :)

I have been meaning to make a tutorial on one of the traditional origami designs and have now revised the plan and decided to make one on this variation. So hopefully soon, I should have my next tutorial ready :)

Model Details:

Model: Strawberry Wreath

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.5 inches

Model Size: ~6.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 16

Tutorial: Youtube 

The Poinsettia Floral Ball is a beautiful kusudama from Meenakshi Mukerji's book 'Marvelous Modular Origami'. I have been wanting to make this model for quite some time, but never got around to it! So when I got some pretty pink wrapping paper, I finally gave it a go. Well, red paper would have been the obvious choice for a poinsettia flower, I do realize, but I kinda liked this paper for the model.

The modules are pretty easy to fold. Assembly is also fairly simple. The lock is quite strong, but I did end up adding a little glue to a few corners. All these ball-like modulars tend to get thrown about a bit, so always makes sense to add some glue at the joints. The floral ball is fairly large - mine was about 5.5 inches in diameter (I had used rectangle that were 4 inches by 2 inches).

The book provides quite a few variations in the floral balls and hopefully, I will soon get around to folding those as well :)

Model Details:

Model: Poinsettia Floral Ball

Creator: Meenakshi Mukerji

Book: Marvelous Modular Origami

Author: Meenakshi Mukerji

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Rectangle in ratio 1:2

Paper Size: 4 inches * 2 inches

Model Size: ~5.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Yet another simple modular origami made from a waterbomb base. This one is even named 'Quick and Easy Modular" :) The model looks complex but it is fairly simple to make. Reminds me of the origami spinner.

The modular is made from 6 units which are pretty easy to fold. The modules lock well and require no glue.

Yet another project for beginners to modular origami!

Model Details:

Model: Quick and Easy Modular

Creator: Heather Shida

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches

Model Size: ~6 inches

Modules: 6

Tutorial: Youtube 

I am always on the lookout for some easy origami to teach Little Miss, my daughter. And when I find modular origami that she can do, I am doubly delighted. So yesterday, I happened upon this beautifully easy modular action origami, the origami magic circle and of course, had to immediately fold it. It is so simple that it took me all of 15 minutes to fold and assemble the 8 modules!

Each module starts from a waterbomb base. When assembling, absolutely no glue is required since each module locks well into the adjacent module. When assembled, the model resembles a flower (second pic). When the pointy ends are turned inwards, they end up meeting in the middle and the model becomes a circle.

A few tips:

* Use double-sided paper. Copy/printer paper is perfect for this model. This will ensure that the uncoloured side of the paper is not visible at the open end.

* If kids are attempting the model, use paper that is at least 4-5 inches in size. Little Miss, who is 6, found it difficult assembling the model when I gave her 3-inch square papers (slotting the two tabs simultaneously into the two pockets turned out to be frustrating for her).

Model Details:

Model: Magic Circle

Origin: Traditional

Difficulty Level: Simple

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches

Model Size (circle): ~5.5 inches

Model Size (flower): ~8 inches

Modules: 8

Tutorial: Youtube

I am not sure of the creator of these origami pleated boxes. My guess would of course, be Tomoko Fuse. But I am not able to find any reference to the box in any of her books. Unfortunately I do not remember where I learnt to fold this either. And I do not remember the name of the box either. Since it has got a whole bunch of pleats, I just call it the pleated box. So, not knowing any of these details, I have had little success in finding out the creator. But for now, I am tagging it as Tomoko Fuse.

The box can be made from a variety of paper. I have tried mine with wrapper paper, hand made paper, origami paper, printer paper and it turned out well in all of them. The one made from origami paper (the variations-in-blue one) is my favourite. I tried it out in a variety of sizes too. From 5 inch squares to 2 inch squares. All look fantastic I think :)

Model Details:

Model: Pleated Box 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Modules: 4 for the base and 4 for the lid

The truncated icosahedron is another of Tomoko Fuse's modular creations. This is from her book Unit Polyhedron Origami. The model is fairly easy to do. It rather reminds me the origami football I had folded nearly a year back!

The model is made of a combination of hexagonal flat units and connecting units that connect the hexagonal units. Usually modular units have a pocket and a tab - each tab fits into its adjacent unit. But in these models, the hexagonal shapes have 3 pockets and no tabs. So the connecting units fit into the pockets of adjacent hexagons and hold the model together.

I like the little windows in the model as well :) Also, though the backs of the hexagons can be seen through the windows, the reverse side of the paper is not seen in the completed unit. So single-sided paper works perfectly well. I had used 80 gsm paper which turned out to be great for this model. The completed truncated icosahedron is sturdy - so sturdy, in fact, that my brother suggested we use it as a football! 😮

Model Details:

Model: Truncated Icosahedron

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Unit Polyhedron Origami
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3.5 inches for the hexagons; 1.75 inches for the connectors

Model Size: ~5 inches in diameter

Modules: 50

After folding the octagonal box from 4 units, I tried the 8-unit box. While folding, I realized that the 4-unit version is actually an extension of the 8-unit box. So folding the individual modules was pretty easy.

The assembly was not as easy as the 4-unit box. Mainly because there are 8 arms that have to be folded together to form the spiral at the top. And obviously, dealing with 4 spiral arms was way easier :)

I had used 3 inch squares to make the modules. So the result was a fairly small, octagonal box which is the perfect size for gifting jewelry in.

Model Details:

Model: Octogon Box 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Let's Fold Spirals
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~ 2.5 inches across and 1.25 inches tall (including spiral)

Modules: 16 (8 for base and 8 for lid)

This month's theme at the Origami Society of Madras is Boxes! Yay! Love it :)

So I got cracking with this octagonal box by the ever-prolific Tomoko Fuse. I have this absolute fascination for boxes with spirals. I am always astounded by how beautifully elegant they look! So I worked on this spiral box from Tomoko Fuse's 'Let's Fold Spirals'.

A couple of years back, I had completed yet another spiral box - a hexagon and I love that box. I still have it and it is still as sturdy as ever. The octagon box, though, isn't as sturdy as the hexagon box because of the way it is constructed. This box is made from 4 modules for the lid and 4 for the base. And each module forms 2 sides of the octagon.

I had used 80 gsm paper (love the rather Christmassy look that the red/green combination brings in!) which gave stability to the box. Thicker paper should work much better though.

Model Details:

Model: Octagonal Box with Spirals 

Creator: Tomoko Fuse

Book: Let's Fold Spirals
 
Author: Tomoko Fuse
 
Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 5 inches

Model Size: ~4 inches across and 2 inches tall (including spiral)

Modules: 8 (4 + 4)

The Origami Tornado Kusudama is a beautiful modular origami designed by Aldo Marcell, an amazing Nicaraguan origami artist. This model is assembled from 30 modules. It works best with duo-coloured paper. In recent days, I have developed a special fondness for purple/lavender colour combination and I went for the same combination again. And am quite happy with the way it has turned out!

The model reminds me of Enrica Drey's Dodecahedron Kusudama, which is made from 60 modules. But the change in colour in the Tornado beautifully brings out the swirls, which I like very much :)

Folding the individual modules was easy. But I did find that the assembly was more difficult than most other kusudamas I have folded. I had to use a lot more paper clips than usual! And finally I ended up gluing some of the more untameable bits down!

Model Details:

Model: Tornado 

Creator: Aldo Marcell

Difficulty Level: High Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inch squares

Model Size: ~4 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Tutorial: Youtube 

The Igel Kusudama is a modular origami designed by the amazingly creative Lukasheva Ekaterina. The model is assembled from 30 units. The units are east to fold and easy to assemble.

The model works best with duo-coloured paper, which I haven't used! For a single-sided paper, darker colours would work great, which I discovered to my dismay, when I assembled the model!  The shades of green that I have used, made the model a bit too dull. But nonetheless, it is a great model to fold.

The curls give a flowery appearance, which I liked very much. For a more angular version of the model, just stop before curling the little petals.

Model Details:

Model: Igel Kusudama 

Creator: Lukasheva Ekaterina

Difficulty Level: Low Intermediate

Paper Ratio: Square

Paper Size: 3 inches

Model Size: ~4.5 inches in diameter

Modules: 30

Instructions: Kusudama.me

Tutorial: Youtube