Detective Gluck

 

 

The Buck Stops Here!

One of the most interesting categories of origami includes those folds that can be made from dollar bills. As you probably already know, the majority of origami folds begin with a square, although many different shapes of paper may be used. In this case, a dollar, is a rectangle that is two squares connected in the middle.

I found this fold while exploring folds that begin with rectangles. If you are doing this for the first time, or do not have extra cash hanging around, you can just start with rectangular pieces of copy paper.

 

Why Not Recycle?

I happen to have a stack of old papers printed on one side. I decided to turn this scrap paper into some beautiful stars. You can use practically any type of paper as long as it holds a crease and isn’t too brittle so that it doesn’t tear too easily.

 

Let’s Make a Star!:

 

Begin with your rectangles. You will need at least five pieces, though you can also make six pointed stars. Fold a line right down the middle of the rectangle to use as a target for the following folds.  Next, fold an airplane fold on each end that make the two ends pointed.

Now fold one end up just under the point on the other end. Flip the paper over and unfold the point on the end that is still pointed.

 

Next, fold an additional airplane point on top of the previous one to make the point even thinner.

 

 

Now that that you have a point like the picture above, flip the paper over so it looks like the one on the left below:

Fold and Tuck:

The next thing to do is to fold the bottom edge up under the flap and make a crease so it stays in place when tucked under the top flap. Next, fold it again and tuck, and then the third time. This will make the extensions needed to hold the form together.

Open Wide….It Will Be Easier!:

Turn the units over so you can see the little pockets on the back of the paper. Open these with a pencil so it will be easier to insert the tabs. Take another unit and insert the tab into the small pocket on one side of the paper. Then flip the whole thing over and insert the other tab into the big central pocket on that side. I found it easiest if you do the small pockets before the big ones. It takes a little while to get the tab inside the big pocket. Curl the end before inserting it and it is easier.

Paper Is Flexible….You Need to Be Flexible Too!

 

If this is your first time folding these units, don’t get too frustrated. It is a little difficult to get the tabs in place, especially the ones on the front side. The paper, however, will slip into the pocket if you don’t give up. It is like a foot going into a tight shoe with a shoehorn.

 

It Needs Five or Six Points:

After inserting all the tabs on five (or six) units you will have a star. You can adjust the angles a bit by pulling on the points if the star is out of alignment.  Your finished forms should look something like this:

 

Feel Free To Decorate Further (Unless you made them with dollars!):

If made of paper the stars are easy to decorate. You can spray paint them a metallic color. You can add dots made by punching colored paper with a hole punch. You can use crayons, colored pencils and pens to add designed. If you add a string, they make neat mobiles and Christmas Tree ornaments.