A Borromean weaving pattern
If you don’t succeed at your first attempt, simply keep trying. Remember that, like puzzles, these models are supposed to be difficult to figure out. Experience and practice will increase your confidence, and eventually even exceedingly difficult models will seem more reasonable. Follow the path of every frame, and carefully observe how it interacts with every other frame. When the assembly looks impossibly complex, break it down into more manageable parts. Understanding complex models is a matter of accumulating experience. In the end, keep in mind that this book is meant to be an introduction to modular origami, not a complete extrapolation. Wire Frames, and modular origami in general, are too complex to explain fully here.
When you do complete a model, check to make sure everything is assembled, and, if it is a Wire Frame, that the weaving is correct. Be careful during this step—it is very easy to miss a small mistake in the weaving process. When you are sure that it is correct, sit back and take a minute to appreciate your work! I think you will find that it is much easier to fold and appreciate these pieces than it is to find a place for them, especially as you begin to make more.
ORIGAMI SYMBOLS
VALLEY FOLD This is the standard fold that creates a “valley” at the base of the fold. It will therefore generally be referred to in diagrams simply as a “fold.”
MOUNTAIN FOLD The opposite of a valley fold, where the fold makes a “mountain” at its apex.
VALLEY FOLD AND UNFOLD A valley fold that is then unfolded to leave a crease.
MOUNTAIN FOLD AND UNFOLD A mountain fold that is then unfolded to leave a crease.
FOLD AND UNFOLD This appears to be the same as the valley fold and unfold, but the arrow is different. This arrow signifies that the fold can be initiated from either side of the paper; the result is the same.
INSIDE-REVERSE FOLD Pressure is applied to the paper along the ridge of the crease, pushing it inside and thus reversing the crease center orientation of the paper.
ENLARGE/REDUCE CIRCLES These encircle an area that will be expanded to show small folds with better detail. When the small folds are completed, the diagram will return to its original size, with no circles.
BOOK-AND-CUPBOARD FOLD AND UNFOLD This is a commonly used reference to describe folding a piece of paper in half and unfolding (book), then folding both outer edges in to the center crease, and unfolding (cupboard). This fold is a prerequisite step in all of the Wire Frames in this book.
WATERBOMB BASE
This base isn’t used in this book, but is useful for illustrating the techniques that follow.
01 Fold diagonals and unfold.
02 Mountain fold halves and unfold.
03 Pushing in the center point, collapse the paper, bringing the two edges of the horizontal mountain fold together.
04 Stages of the collapse in progress.
05 The completed Waterbomb Base.
OPEN-SINK FOLD
01 Start with a Waterbomb Base. Fold the top layers into the center vertical line and unfold.
02 Open out the top of the Waterbomb Base, making mountain creases around all sides of the fold made in the previous step.
03 Invert the point, pressing on the area indicated by the arrow, and begin to bring the pairs of edges back together.
04 In progress.
05 The completed OpenSink fold.
CLOSED-SINK FOLD
01 Start with a Waterbomb Base. Fold the top point to the bottom and unfold.
02 Keeping the front and back layers together, push the point inside, and begin to invert the paper.
03 In progress. Open the edges slightly if needed.
04 In progress.
05 In progress. Begin to close the edges back together.
06 The completed ClosedSink fold.
SQUASH FOLD
01 Start with a Waterbomb Base. Fold the top point to the bottom and unfold.
02 Separate the points’ layers on the bottom, and make both sides of the crease mountain folds.
03 Apply pressure to the ridge on the crease, allowing the layers to separate.
04