Origami Quilt Help

So, recently I've had a request from someone asking for some help with an origami quilt model. It's the Flower Crosses model that I've folded before. I decided that rather than trying to explain in only words how to make it through a few tricky steps, that I'd just make a short video. So, Lindsay, here it is. Hope this helps. The first time that I folded this model, I had trouble with these exact steps; it took me several attempts before getting it right. So don't give up. Good Luck :-)

More Oriland Origami Magic Stars

I finally buckled down and finished a magic origami star for my middle son.  With this one, I was able to try out another variation of the the 'walk-around' pattern; this time with two colors.  The green and red colors both walk around the model.  Even the two spots of green walk around for a lot of the model; although there is a point when the green actually breaks.

This is the Origami Magic Star that I made for my middle son. He's not real picky when it comes to his favorite colors, so my wife just picked some basic colors.

Here is a clip of the red and blue walking around the model:

Here is a video of the extra large star:

Here is one more video showing the comparison of the extra large Origami Star & one of the 'regular' stars:

Here are the patterns for making the two different models that walk around the model. This is the pattern to use if only one color walks around the model:

If this pattern is used the orange would continuously walk around the model. The models are composed of 6 different rings that assembled together. This is the same pattern presentation that the authors use in the E-book.

Here is the pattern if you want two colors to walk around the model:

In this pattern both the orange and blue walk around the model.

Here is the link to purchase the E-book for the Oriland Origami Magic Star.  Oriland has done some amazing work. I have a few of their CD's and am looking forward to folding more and posting the pictures.

Oriland Origami Magic Star

It's been a very long time since I've taken the time to post anything - I've missed it.  A lot has changed: we've moved states, I'm employed again (Yay!), and I'm still working on going to school online.  I wish I had more time to do origami and post about it.  Sadly, until I'm out of school (not going to happen soon enough) I'll just have to do it whenever possible.

The latest origami model that I've been folding (a little obsessively) is the Origami Magic Star that was created by the amazing creators of Oriland.  A link to the YouTube video of their model in action is here.  You can buy the e-book on how to fold the model here.  The creators have a Flickr page with pictures of fan-folded models here.

The model can be folded in several different ways; from as many as 48 squares of paper to 12 strips of paper to 6 strips of paper all the way to the extremely impressive single sheet of paper (here is a picture of someone that tackled this daunting task).  My favorite way to fold the model is the one that is the most modular: by using 48 squares of paper.

No matter what initial folding method is used to create the units, the final assembly method is pretty much the same.  The model is essentially created through 6 rings that are interlocked (unless the single sheet of paper method is being used).  For myself, the hands-down most difficult point is the assembling of the final ring to the first one.  The creators show a technique that interlocks everything nicely, but I have yet to be able to assemble is without tearing the paper.  Thankfully, the points where the paper tears aren't seen and don't seem to affect the model.

So, without further rambling here are the pictures and videos of the models that I have folded.  Normally pictures are completely sufficient to show off origami, but the reason this model is so fantastic is that its an action model.  I've got a picture of each of the models followed by a short video clip of them.

This is my first Oriland Magic Star. I already had almost all of the squares cut out that were left over from a different project. When I purchased the e-book and was looking through the various color patterns that were shown I instantly liked the checkerboard  pattern and wanted to try it first. 

The next pattern that I attempted was the basic 'ring' style.  My wife picked out the colors and as a result they go very well together :-)

After seeing the first 2 models that I had made my Mom of course requested one.  To make things easier on me she requested the basic rainbow colors.  In the video you can see that several of the colors 'walk' around the model as it is rotated (the red is probably one of the easiest to see).

My oldest son's favorite colors are black and blue. After I made the first magic star he was begging for me to make one for him.  So for the pattern here I used the Yin-Yang design that the authors describe. The blue and black colors seemed to chase each other as they rotate around.  I will say that I was a little disappointed in the recommended pattern as it rotates one way and then back again instead of continuing to rotate in the same direction.

My next model was made for my oldest sister who happened to be visiting in the area for Christmas ( I usually only get to see her once or twice a year and so don't get much opportunity to share my folding with her).  After making the Yin-Yang model I decided to change the pattern a little to see if I could get the desired effect I was hoping for.  Here it is close; not exactly what I was hoping for, but much closer and gave me the direction I needed to continue to try.

And so the next one I made was for my Dad.  He has an office job and displays a few of the origami things I've made for him.  Of course when most people see something intriguing on someones' desk at work they have to pick it up to examine it.  As a result I don't give anything to my Dad to take to work unless it is solid and durable - as these models are.  Here I finally achieved the pattern I wanted.  The red color simply 'walks' all the way around the model as it is rotated; endlessly :-)

Finally, this is the model that I made for my  youngest son, who isn't quite 2 yet.  My wife tells me that anytime someone has their magic star out he wants to put it on his head like a crown.  So, she asked me to make one for him to walk around with.  That made me wonder just how large I would be able to make it.  The model on the left is my oldest son's and is about 6 or 7 inches in diameter.  The other one is considerably larger :-)
Sadly, I don't have a video of it in action yet.  But as soon as I do, I will post it.

This last video is for entertainment purposes.  When the models are assembled, there is a certain spot in the rotation that can hold a particular amount of tension (likely due to the faults of my assembly).  So, if you're not careful they can kind of jump out of your hands :-D

There have actually been a few other models that I have folded and am in the process of folding.  I either need pictures/videos of them or I need to finish them.  Either way, my school work is currently having to come before anything (dang school is always getting in the way of fun).

I totally recommend purchasing this e-book from Oriland.  The instructions are fantastic and all in color.  The directions are very clear and easy to understand.  Be warned, though, that the final assembly does get a little tricky and may take a couple of attempts.  But the end result is totally worth it!

Time to Fold Somewhere Else

We're in the process of moving states in the very near future; hence the reason why I haven't posted anything new lately.  Today was our last Sunday here.  While here I team-taught the 11-year-old Sunday School class at my church.  I loved it.  The kids are amazing.  Anytime that I could I would bring origami to give them.  In the midst of packing everything my wife and I went through all of the origami that I've folded and accumulated while here (and even things we moved here).  So, I decided that I would take everything that I was planning on getting rid of and take it to the kids in my class to see if they wanted any of it. Before church I decided to count everything and take a picture.  Here's what I gave away:

The collection of origami that I gave to the kids in my Sunday School class.

I decided that I'd let them take turns at picking out what they wanted. In order to decide what order they got to pick things I took a large jar of origami stars that I had been collecting since I was about 18 and had them guess how many there were.  I wasn't sure if they'd want all of what I brought.  I had 122 separate things for them to pick from; I didn't come home with a single thing.  I'm definitely sad to move away, but the opportunities will be good.  I've been unemployed for over a year now and the move will allow for much better job opportunities.  Until we find work and get more settled it may be a little difficult to post here.  Until next time, Enjoy!

Tomoko Fuse Origami Quilts #2

I love every chance I get to fold Tomoko Fuse's work.  Recently my wife suggested that I fold an origami quilt for both of our mothers.  Both of our moms are avid quilters (amazing ones too).  Something fairly unique to their quilting style is that they are part of a dying breed that still hand quilts the final products (the more common option is to have a quilt machine quilted).  I love that they hand quilt; it gives it a decidedly personal touch.  I see origami as something similar - something hand-made and personally made.  So, of course I jumped at the chance to do more of Tomoko's work and at the same time honor in a small way the incredible work that our mother's have done for us.  Tomoko Fuse's book is Origami Quilts.  Here are some of my recent origami quilts with the mothers' quilts last:

My little sister-in-law just graduated from high school (with honors).  As a graduation present we help put together a freshman "survival" kit; we included this quilt made in her high school's colors (as a way to take a small part of her high school pride with her).  This quilt is titled "Windmills + Joints of 180 degrees".  I used regular origami paper. 

With any model that I try the first time (most especially the ones that I will being giving away as gifts), I like to practice the model (so I can see the size, try a color pattern, and simply to practice the actual folding so that the final product will look better).  In this case, I found that using colored copy paper made the final model larger than I wanted.  Each of the lighter blue are individual pieces of paper, with each of the dark yellow windmills and dark blue windmills being individual pieces as well.

This quilt is titled "Star 3" (so as to differentiate it from Star 1 or Star 2 :-).  I folded this as a thank you to one of the sets of grandparents of my wife's.  They spend their winter months in the desert, so we figured these colors would work nicely (origami paper).

Here is the practice version of the quilt I folded for my mother-in-law.  One of the other advantages to folding practice versions of models is to try out color combinations.  I try to find combinations that I think will look fairly good (for the instances that the practice version is good enough to hold on to or give away), but don't always succeed.  This combination is fine, but seems a little busy to the eye.  This is probably the main reason that I enlist my wonderful wife's help in picking out colors; she has a great talent for it.  Another point I learned with this model is that by using colored copy paper there are points in the model that become very thick and difficult assembly (specifically the final step of adding the orange units).  The CD is there for a size reference; the final quilt is right at 12 inches square.  Once again, the CD is from Oriland (Yuri and Katrin Shumakov) and is fantastic; I highly recommend their work.

This is the final quilt folded for my mother-in-law (prior to framing it); again with a CD for size reference.  My wife chose the colors for this and succeeded where I think I fell short.  The colors were chosen to coordinate with the quilt/craft room my mother-in-law has.  By using origami paper instead of colored copy paper (my favorite choice) I was able to make it a size that was easier to frame; this is 9 inches square as opposed to the 12 inches squared in the last one.  However, by going with smaller paper it did make some of the units fairly small and a little more difficult for my large hands to work with. 

The final framed version of my mother-in-law's quilt.  This design is titled "Double Crosses + Joints".  Something that I've found that I love about these most recent quilts that I've folded is that they can be framed and hung either on the diagonal (as the quilt is pictured here) or on the horizontal (as in the previous picture).  (If you look closely, you can see the reflection of me holding the camera as I take the picture :-)

This is the quilt that I folded for my mom.  Its titled "Flower Crosses + Crosses".  Again, my wife chose the colors (with the knowledge of my mom's favorite colors).  Sadly, I don't have a picture of this quilt arranged on the diagonal; I think it looks even better that way personally.  This was folded out of origami paper and is framed in a 12 inch x 12 inch frame.

Another shot of the quilt for size reference.

This is the "back" side of the quilt.  One of the biggest problems that I have at times with folding origami quilts is that the reverse side often looks every bit as amazing as the front.  In this case there is a pointedly designated front and back.  Since origami paper was used all of the green and blue units have the same white back, so the coloring isn't nearly as impressive.  However, if you look at the actual design of the unit there is a fantastic twisted pinwheel design that I love.  I'll definitely need to fold this one again with colored copy paper with the intent of having this side be the predominant one.

Folding origami quilts is something particularly special to me.  These were folded as gifts for Mother's Day (although they were belated in their reception).  My mom is amazing.  She has and continues to teach me more than I'll ever be able to express.  She is the best mom that myself and 3 sisters could have ever had.  She continues to be amazing as an awesome grandmother to my children (she knows just how to "spoil" them :-).  My mother-in-law is also fantastic.  She raised an amazing daughter to be an incredible wife (along with 4 other great children).  She is a wonderful second mom to me and is also an awesome grandmother.  Quilting is one of the largest (if not the largest) hobbies for these great women.  Origami is mine.  The ability to combine the two is a great treat for me.  I look forward to continuing to fold all of the quilts I can.  Until next time, Enjoy!

Origami Internet Gems, Tomoko Fuse Unit Origami & Origami Tessellation Display

One of the things that I absolutely love about the Internet is the vast array of free origami diagrams.  I am always willing and desirous to purchase good origami books; not only to have a wonderful library available, but also to support the incredible work of the great origami masters.  However, some of my favorite models have come from free diagrams found online.  Probably the best resource that I've used is Flickr; it allows for posting fantastic pictures of the models along with a place to share the instructions on how to fold them.  One of the newest contacts that I've found goes by the name credo_vsegda, whose name is Maria Sinayskaya.  She's designed a great variety of origami kusudama models and has diagrammed and shared several of them.  The one that caught my eye to try the first is titled Lotus Crown.  Here was my first attempt:

My first attempt at the Lotus Crown (24-unit assembly) designed my Maria Sinayskaya.  I love the color combination here, but sadly since it was my first try it doesn't look quite as nice as it could.  Some of the individual units are fairly loose and sloppy.  Also, after several attempts of trying to get the color pattern correct (where no 2 units of the same color connect directly to one another), I finally gave in to "good enough" and decided I'd try again at a later date.

Another view of my first attempt at the Lotus Crown (24-unit assembly).  From this angle it is a little easier to see how the the units aren't as crisp, clean, and neat as they could be (definitely not as good as the one folded by the designer).  In particular the little flaps inside the center square wouldn't tuck back nicely like they're supposed to (due to my own additions in the folding process).

Here is my second attempt at the 24-unit assembly of the Lotus Crown designed by Maria Sinayskaya.  I like the color combination of this one less than the first, but the final model is much tighter and looks much crisper and clean.

Another angle of the second attempt at the Lotus Crown (24-unit assembly).  With this model, I not only held to the author's directions when it came to folding the individual units, but I was also able to assemble the model with the proper color pattern (none of the units of the same color connect to another unit of the same color).  The assembly of this model was infinitely easier by using office binder clips to hold the units together until I was done.  This was one of the main reasons the final model was so tight when done.

I think one of my all time favorite origami books (if not THE favorite) is Tomoko Fuse's Unit Origami.  Personally I kind of consider it to be the "bible" of modular origami.  It was the first modular book I purchased and has a vast diversity of models.  I love it.  Modular origami is great because it's like playing with building blocks, except you get to have the fun of making the blocks yourself.  Recently there was one of the kids in the Sunday School class that I teach that had a birthday.  Just about every week I fold things for the kids and give them to the kids that are particularly well-behaved.  For their birthdays I wanted to do something a little different.  So for the first birthday of the year I decided to fold something from Unit Origami.  Here it is:

Here is the model that I folded for one of the students in the Sunday School class I teach at the church I attend.  In the book it is titled 'Dual Triangles' and can be folded into 3-unit or 4-unit assemblies.  Here is the 4-unit assembly, which creates an octahedron (8-sided).  In this model there are 8 octahedrons connected together in a type of cube fashion.

Another angle of the 'Dual Triangle' model given as a birthday present.  This particular assembled pattern is very sturdy and can be stood at several different points for display.  There are a total of 64 individual pieces of paper folded and assembled here.

Another gem that I found through Flickr is that from Daniel Kwan and displaying origami tessellations.  He had the brilliant idea of putting origami tesselltions between two sheets of acrylic panels and clipping them together; the picture is here.  Here is a few pictures of my application of the idea:

Here is a display of some of my favorite origami tessellations that I've folded (all from the book by Eric Gjerde Origami Tessellations: Awe-Inspiring Geometric Designs).  The picture isn't a particularly good one to show the tessellations themselves, but to instead show the idea behind displaying them. 

There are several sizes that the acrylic panels can be purchased in.  Here is a smaller size that can be used to display a single tessellation.  This picture is a little better at showing the actual tessellation; a little difficult to fold, but looks fantastic when done.  The tessellation is titled  Chateau-Chinon.

Another view of the smaller panels to give a better show of the size.  This is the front of the tessellation.

A final view of the smaller panels with a show of the back of the tessellation.

 I've been unable to post for quite some time due to the demands of my school work.  Hopefully, I'll be able to start posting a little more frequently!  Until next time:  Enjoy!

Origami Valentine Flowers

In continuing with the Valentine's Day theme, now I'd like to show some of my favorite origami flowers.  Without further adieu here are some of my favorite to fold and give:

This is a common origami flower, the Iris.  Its a traditional model, so the diagrams can be found in many places.  I first learned it in the excellent book The Magic of Origami.  The model by itself is very fun to fold, nice and simple, but at the same time seems to lack a certain completeness that some origami flowers lack.  I took this model a step further for my wedding reception.

Here is an incredible picture taken by my wife's uncle (who is a fantastic photographer) at our wedding reception.  With the help of my wife and mother-in-law I was able to get the leaves looking good and have the whole centerpiece looking really good for the tables.

This is another favorite and common flower (also a traditional model).  The tulip is the first flower that I learned how to fold.  Having never had any experience with origami and thanks to the very basic instructions that I had, it took me a while to get this model down.  I first picked up origami by purchasing a small kit with paper and hard to read instructions on a trip to Hawaii with my family.  This was one of the models diagrammed in that kit.  Here is a link to instructions very similar to the ones I first learned from here :)  As with the origami Iris I've taken this model and attached it to a piece of wire with paper leaves and wrapped them in floral tape making it a little more realistic.  Sadly, I can't find any pictures of these flowers fully assembled :(

This model is a really fun one for beginners to learn, the Tulip.  The flower portion was designed by Makoto Yamaguchi with the leaf portion designed by Kunihiko Kasahara; found in the awesome beginners book The Magic of Origami.  The Tulip itself is based on the water bomb model, with a simple twist.



This model was designed by one of the great authors of Oriland, Katrin Shumakov; the model is a Matthiolis Bicornis.  If you've never had the opportunity to visit their website, its incredible.  The site is http://www.oriland.com/.  I love the diagrams that Katrin and Yuri Shumakov create, they are very detailed.  I've got 3 of the cds that they sell at their website; I love everyone of them.  This flower model is found the Origami Land cd.  I highly recommend their work.



Here is another angle of the Matthiolis Bicornis by Katrin Shumakov.  Its such an incredible model and its hard to appreciate it from just one angle.  One difficulty with this model is that the center point of the paper has a lot of folds going through it and gets a lot of movement; its easy for the paper to get a hole worked in the middle of it.  Thankfully, you can't see the hole that I worked in this flower from these pictures :)

This model is titled the Rose Brooch, designed by Toshie Takahama.  The diagrams for the model are found in The New Origami by Steve and Megumi Biddle.  Not a terribly difficult model to fold, but not completely basic; which makes it really fun to fold.  When folded from origami paper the has colors radiating from the corners (such as here) it looks a lot better.

This incredible model was designed by Valerie Vann, titled the Magic Rose Cube.  In this form, the model looks fairly plain.  From the picture you can't see that the other 3 sides of the cube are green.  The next picture shows how neat the model truly is.

Here is the model opened.  I absolutely love this model for the angular look, but still looking so much like a rose.  There is a video showing how to fold each of the 6 pieces and how to assemble them here.  Side story:  I work with one of the youth classes in my church team-teaching each week.  I love working with the kids and especially enjoy bringing origami to them for them to pick through and enjoy.  Last week I had one of these cubes in the mix and one of the girls picked it out thinking it was just a neat box.  After I showed her what it did, her face lit up and she was all the more excited to have picked it :)

This last flower is easily the hardest to fold (of the flowers featured here), but I also think is the most rewarding once done.  This is the Rose by the great Toshikazu Kawasaki; the diagram can be found in the book  Origami for the Connoiseur by Kunihiko Kasahara and Toshie Takahama.  The book is definitely one for the more advanced folder, as is this model especially.  With some practice, and probably a couple of attempts, it is possible to fold it though; and extremely rewarding when done.

Here is another shot of the same model to give a better look at the side.  I used an 8 inch sheet of colored copy paper to fold to get this size.  Visually speaking, this is my favorite flower to fold because it looks so amazing when done.  I love it.

 Origami flowers are every even more popular and prevalent than origami hearts.  They are fantastic to fold and give as a gift, especially for Valentine's Day, because unlike real flowers they don't wilt and die.  (Granted a paper flower doesn't have the aroma of a real one :)

This was a glimpse into what I enjoy giving for Valentine's Day each year.  I'll close with some further links to the books and diagrams that I mentioned.  Until next time, Enjoy!

The Magic of Origami (the Iris and Tulip models)














Again the link to the origami Tulip here.

The link to Oriland and the page for the Origami Land cd.

The New Origami (the Rose Brooch model)














The video showing Valerie Vann's Magic Rose Cube here.

Origami for the Connoiseur (the Kawasaki Rose)

Origami Valentine Hearts

With Valentine's Day about a month away I've been practicing some of the heart and flower models that I love to fold and give away.  Here I'll show my favorite heart-shaped models.  There are entire books on heart-shaped origami, so this is but a small sample of what's out there.  But these are some of my favorites:

This first model is a letterfold.  I love letterfolds; they're a fun way to pass a small note to someone.  This one is particularly fun since its heart-shaped, making it a great way to give a love note to someone for Valentine's Day.  (You could even put something a little more sappy on the front instead of "open me"; something to the effect that the giver of the note is opening their heart to the receiver :)

Here is the heart-shaped letterfold opened up.  This model was designed by Alice Gray and Michael Shall.  The diagram can be found in the book The Magic of Origami by Alice Gray and Kunihiko Kasahara (with cooperation of Lillian Oppenheimer and Origami Center of America). 

This model is called 'Change of Heart'.  When dining out and leaving a tip for the waiting help, I always enjoy folding the tip into something fun.  This is a fantastic model because a US quarter fits into the center perfectly.  I can't remember exactly where I got the PDF form of the diagram that I have, but this model is found in several different places on the Internet by searching "Change of Heart Origami".

This model is called 'Double Heart' and designed by Steve Biddle.  It can be found in the book Essential Origami: How to Build Dozens of Models From Just 10 Easy Bases by Steve and Megumi Biddle.  Its folded from a single sheet of square paper with no cutting required; one of the reasons I love this model so much.  The folds are very basic and simple, making it a great model to start with and learn.

This model is designed by Francis Ow, who has an entire book on origami hearts; he has some incredible models.  The model is called 'Double Hearts'.  Again this is folded from a single sheet of paper with no cutting needed.  The diagram can be found in the book by Steve and Megumi Biddle, The New Origami.



This model is also designed by the great Francis Ow and the diagram can also be found in The New Origami by Steve and Megumi Biddle.  Its titled 'On The Wings of Love'.  This model is probably the most difficult of the ones I've shown here, but still not terribly hard; the wings being the hardest part. 

Here is a shot of the origami heart collection just shown to give a size comparison.

 I love giving origami for any occasion, and Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to do just that.  Enjoy :)

Here are some further links to find the books or diagrams to the models:

The 'Valentine Letterfold':














A video for the 'Change of Heart' can be found here.

'Double Heart' by Steve Biddle:














'Double Hearts' & 'On The Wings of Love' by Francis Ow: