270 unit sonobe epcot ball

270 unit sonobe epcot ball folded by Deepika.

I started this model and i was like 10% into it and realised why I picked it.  And how I'm wondered how i am going to finish it with so many units.  It's difficult to make up your mind to pick something like this.  This is a mini project. 

I'm sharing some experiences and suggestions. 

Go piece by piece. One piece at a time. Understand the structure and make a mental map of it.

There's symmetry throughout the structure. Suppose you add 5 pentagons. It comes alternative.  

I was 75% through. I had agreed 6 pentagons. I was in the process of adding 5 more pentagons when things didn't add up. The symmetry was lost. I paused and started perspiring. Because at that stage with so many units assembled already it's hard to debug. I took a deep breath and took a look and realised in place of a hexagon, I had assembled a pentagon. I corrected it and things were fine. So remember symmetry. 

Also, this is not my first time assembling a 270 unit bucky ball. In 2023 I had built a 270 unit and 360 units bucky ball using phizz units. Compared to that, sonobe is tricky. It was really confusing. Also with phizz units, I color coded. This time I made it all different rainbow colors which added to the misery. It was hard to differentiate a pentagon from hexagon. 

Remember that there's gonna be only 12 pentagons what so ever. You take truncated icosahedron, 120 units, 270 units, 360 units bucky balls. It's gonna be only 12 pentagons.

Assembly with sonobe was stable. Nevertheless I suggest one to go with phizz units first, then build a 270 unit sonobe.

The structure is stable throughout. I hadn't used any glue for 120, 270, 360 units phizz unit. Even for this 270 unit sonobe epcot dome, I didn't use glue. 

It takes a lot of patience. I took 3 days. Serval hours to complete this project. 

Last time I took 5 cm for phizz units. However this time I used 7 cm square papers. 

There's are videos by Thomas Hull on how to build bigger bucky balls.  I suggest go through those videos to understand the structure first. 

Good luck with the bucky balls.  

Until next time, 

SAYONARA 

Disco sonobe

 

Name: Disco sonobe

Designer: Natalia Romanenko

Units: 30

Paper: 5*7.5 cm (2:3)

Final height: ~ 7 cm

Joint: no glue

Assembly is strong.  

Instructions:

https://kusudama.info/2013/07/disco-sonobe-tutorial/

Until next time, 

Sayonara 

Lamduan kusudama

 

Lamduan kusudama 

I used 3 inch sheets.  I bought new matrix patterned papers. I tried this using those papers

Designed by PrwOrigami 

30 units.  No Glue used for assembly. 

Dianthus kusudama

 

Dianthus Designed by PrwOrigami

Base 3.75cm × 7.5cm - 30 units

Pattern 3.75cm × 3.75cm - 60 units

I used glue for assembly. 

Tutorial 

Background is AI generated.

Tigra kusudama 90 units

 

Tigra or Tiger kusudama 90 units

Designed by Ekaterina Lukasheva 

I used duo papers. Glue used for assembly. 

I took 3 days to complete this model.  I totally fell in love with it as is kept building layers. It had been a long time since I folded any modulars. Felt happy and satisfied. 

Until next time, 

Sayonara 

Tigra kusudama

 

Tigra kusudama 

Designed by Ekaterina Lukasheva 

I used duo paper. 3 inch square.  I used glue for assembly. 

I had my eye on this kusudama from serval months.  I was not able to get the instructions.  Finally yesterday found it some where and Folded.  I love the design.

Until next time,

Sayonara 

Hatch kusudama

 

Hatch kusudama 

Designed by @prworigami2018 

I took 1.75: 3 inch papers (1:2 ratio)

I used glue for assembly. 

Tutorial 

Until next time, 

Sayonara 

Chain necklace kusudama

 

Chain necklace kusudama 

I used harmony papers.  1:1 ratio.  30 units. 

I used glue for assembly. 

Tutorial by @kawaiipastime_origami 

Lucky seven heptagonal box

 

Lucky seven heptagonal box 

Designed by @kawaiipastime_origami 

For the base 1:2 paper.  I used 7.5 : 15 cm paper

7 units required.  No Glue used to assemble 

For the lid square sheets required.  I used 3 inch or 7.5 cm papers. 7 units. 

Assembly was a bit tough.  I finally used clips to hold the assembly.  After all the assembly removed the clips and applied slight glue to get a stable lid. 

It's a fantastic box.  Folding a box after a long time. 

Until next time,  Sayonara 

Easy and cute kusudama

 

Easy and cute kusudama 

Designed by kawaii pastime 

I used patterned papers.  3 inch

I used glue partially only in the beginning.  Later I assembled workout glue. It's easy and beautiful. 

Instructions

Until next time,

SAYONARA 

Photosphere kusudama

 

Photosphere kusudama 

Designed by Prworigami 

I used 4 inch harmony papers 

Glue used to assemble

Dollar bill origami high heels

 

Dollar bill origami high heels 👠 

First time I tried with dollar books.  I've used fake bills. 

Designed by Jodi Fukumoto 

Tutorial by mariano origami art

Origami Lord Ganesha

 

Origami Lord Ganesha

Designed by Kamlesh Gandhi 

I folded it long back.  Posting very late.  I think i used 6 inch paper. 

Origami puffer fish🐡 🐟

 

Origami puffer fish 🐡 🐟 

Designed by Muneji Fuchimoto

I took 6 inch kami

Origami cat

 

Origami cat

I took 15 cm duo sheet

Designed by Muneji Fuchimoto

Origami horse box

 

Origami horse box

2026 is the Chinese year of horse

Designed by Jannie Van Schulenburg 

I used two 6 inch papers.  No Glue used

Tutorial:

Estrella Adriana

 

Estrella Adriana 

Designed by Celina Sakamoto 

I used 4 inch dual color sheets

Glue used for assembly

Instructions available on Celina's origami page.

Until next time, 

Sayonara 

Estrella Alberto

 

Estrella Alberto 

Designed by Celina Sakamoto 

I used 4inch harmony paper from tuttle 

Glue used to assemble

Folding instructions available on Celina's instagram page

Stay home origami crane

 

Stay home origami crane

I used foil paper. 21 cm i guess,  I posted this on Instagram few weeks back.  Don't remember the exact paper size i used. 

I liked this model because it's like me.  Love Staying at home always. So I folded this model. 

Designed by Ah Boon

Tutorial by Leyla Torres 

I somewhat didn't like my fold. Leyla's fold is so perfect.  My first trail didn't come out well.  The paper tore. I folded again but still not happy.  I'm not so happy with gold foil because the photography is not so good. However i decided to post this. 

Origami northern Cardinal

 

Origami northern Cardinal

Designed by Roman Diaz 

I used 21 cm hokusai print from tuttle 

Tutorial by Leyla Torres 

Winter wonderland

 

Origami winter wonderland

Designed by Brian Beitel 

4 inch duo sheets,  8 papers,  no Glue

Origami maple leaf

 

Origami maple leaves

Designed by Kasumi Seishi

Tutorial by origamiwithmozart

Folded from a single sheet of paper.  Folding after several months. I wanted to try something easy.  I dived into this model looking at the complexity rating 2/5. But it was challenging in the end.  I thought i can't make it till the finish. But somehow managed to get through. 

I used 24 inch of paper