Butterfly bomb or ball

sommerfuglebombe01

The Butterfly ball or bomb is an unusual, decorative modular fold that at the same time is an action model: Smack it into the air and it literally explodes into a cloud of butterflies.

The module is just a waterbomb base, simple as that. The assembly requires some patience, but adhere to the description below and most likely you'll succeed.

Thin paper is most butterfly-like, but stiffer paper (copy paper and upwards) is easier to assemble. Paper 7.5 cm square is suitable, giving a model width (and height) of also 7.5 cm. Smaller paper sizes are more difficult to assemble.

The description uses 4 different paper colours for clarity. This is also very decorative, but otherwise use any colors you fancy.

See also weekly fold 2008-42.

Thanks to Kenneth Kawamura for permission to present this diagram.

Core module (waterbomb base)

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Front up.
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Book fold...
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...and open again.
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Turn over.
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Diagonal fold...
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...and open again.
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Diagonal fold the other diagonal, too.
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Fold together. This is the waterbomb base.
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For our use it needs to be a bit more open.
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Make 12 modules in total.

Assembly: bottom

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Place a module on the table.
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Put the next module orthogonally into the first one.
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Top view.
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The third module.
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Top view.
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The fourth and last bottom module must be weaved in.
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And top view.

Assembly: sides

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Put a module down vertically, one "leg" inside and one on the outside.
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Top view. The model is pretty loose...
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...so push it well together. It is important that you do this frequently from now on.
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Top view. Note that the cross in the bottom middle is closed again - you should keep it so, otherwise the model may fall apart.
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Put in the next module.
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Top view, after you have pushed the model together again.
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And the third side module.
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Top view, again pushed together.
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The fourth and final side module.
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Top view. Pushed well together, ready for the top modules.

Assembly: the top

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Weave the first module inside and outside the two side module points, respectively.
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Top view.
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The second module, weaved like the first one has started. But it must be weaved outside the previous top module as well, you'll need to pull the the point back to do that.
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In place.
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Top view, and well pushed together.
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Third top module: Weaved outside the previous top module, and inside and outside the side points, respectively.
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Top view.

Assembly: the final top module

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Ready for the final top module.
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Put it on like the previous ones.
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Top view. It must go inside the first top module, not outside.
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Wriggle the model a bit apart and tuck the point into the first top module.
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Push well together.
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Finished.
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From another viewing angle.