Calendar Wreaths

Trash Origami

Posted by Tuttle Publishing

About

The modular, flat, origami wreaths and rings designed by Mette Pederson (USA) have inspired many folders all around the world. Paolo Bascetta’s (Italy) inspiration was to make a flat “Mette ring” into a three-dimensional “Mette-Bascetta ring,” which inspired me to create an origami design system for quickly making 3-D “Mette-Bascetta-Lafosse rings” from a handy jig,
or tool. This project uses twelve square sheets (plus another used for the measuring tool). You can use just about any kind of paper for this project. However, recycling a square-shaped paper calendar is an ideal choice: one month for each element! A calendar, which you have received from a friend, can be transformed and sent back to them as a New Year’s greeting!

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You Will Need (1 thing)

  • Calendar

Steps (20 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Begin by folding the measuring tool, also called a “jig”: Use a square of the same size you will use to fold the 12 units for this project. Fold in half, edge to edge. Unfold.

  2. 2

    Fold the bottom edge to the center crease. Unfold.

  3. 3

    The finished measuring tool.

  4. 4

    (1) Fold the bottom edge to the new crease. (2) Rotate the paper so that the folded edge is at the top.

  5. 5

    Insert the top edge of your first square for the wreath, tightly under the folded edge of the tool.

  6. 6

    Fold the bottom edge of the inserted paper up to meet the folded over edge of the tool.

  7. 7

    Unfold.

  8. 8

    Remove the paper and rotate it to insert the opposite edge into the tool.

  9. 9

    Fold the new bottom edge of the inserted paper, unfold and remove. You will have two parallel creases defining a channel in the middle area of the square. Rotate the paper so that these creases run vertically.

  10. 10

    Fold the top corners of the square down, forming triangle flaps. Align the corners with each vertical crease, as shown.

  11. 11

    Fold the bottom cut edge up to the match the bottom edges of the triangle flaps.

  12. 12

    Fold the new, bottom fold edge up to the same place.

  13. 13

    Unfold the bottom layers.

  14. 14

    Fold the bottom edge up, bending at the topmost horizontal crease.

  15. 15

    (1) Fold the indicated corners closely over the sloping edges, behind. (2) Turn the model over, left to right.

  16. 16

    Fold along the bottom edges of the triangle flaps, moving the bottom edge up.

  17. 17

    Mountain-fold along the two parallel vertical creases, forming right angles to the center of the paper to complete the wreath unit.

  18. 18

    You will need a total of 12 units to build one wreath. Each unit has two pockets and two tabs.

  19. 19

    19. The units fit together by inserting the tabs into the pockets, one on each side. Keep the units square and box-like as you build.

  20. 20

    The Calendar Wreath. A great ornament for any anniversary!