Pinwheel Model
The first known paper pinwheel originate in Europe where baptism certificates were folded into this unique shape during the 1800's.
The first known paper pinwheel originate in Europe where baptism certificates were folded into this unique shape during the 1800's. I must assume that either the fold is older than that, or the name was applied later, since the obvious use for a pinwheel involves pinning it to something, and letting the wind spin it. I can't imagine that Europians did this with baptism certificates. Here are the directions, so that you too can make your own paper pinwheel.
Fold a piece of paper into quarters
The first step in the pinwheel is to fold the paper into thirds. Years of folding trifolds have earned me a type of special sight for this, but there is sure fire way to divide a paper into thirds. Simply fold a paper into fourths, and remove one quarter of the paper. This has to be done horizontally and vertically for the pinwheel model, which will divide the paper into nine equal squares, like a tic-tac-toe board, or a pound sign (#).
Tear off one quarter
Remove one quarter and leave a rectangle.
Turn 90 degrees, fold into quarters, remove one quarter.
Turn the paper to the left, and fold into quarters again. Remove one quarter. You will be left with a piece of paper divided into nine squares with valley folds.
With a bit of practice, you can discover where the folds are needed to divide the paper into thirds, and skip those first steps. Now that you have a paper, valley folded into thirds horizontally and vertically, we can begin folding the pinwheel.
Pinwheel Model Step 2
Valley fold the top third down
Valley fold the top third down, so that you have a rectangle made of 6 squares.
Create two folds, one diagonal valley fold (from left bottom to top right) through the middle of the center square on the third you just folded last, and one diagonal mountain through the right square (from left top to right bottom).
Look closely at this picture. You will fold a valley fold through the center square, and a mountain fold through the right square. The are diagonal folds, going in opposite directions. Completing these folds will require valley folding the right third of the paper.
To accomplish these two folds easily, stick your finger under the third that was folded down, under the rightmost square. Fold the center square in half diagonally, so that the left squares fold over.
To accomplish this, stick your finger under the first fold, on the right side, and and create the valley fold diagonally through the middle square.
Pinwheel Model Step 3
As you fold the left flap over, the top right square will need to be folded in half, into a triangle on the top of the model.
After creasing the valley fold, valley fold the right third over it. This will create a triangle on the top, which is your mountain fold. Crease well, rotate the paper 90 degrees, and do it again to the second side, creating a triangle above it.
Rotate the model 90 degrees to the left, and do the fold again. Repeat.
The third and the fourth sides are just a little bit different. You create the same fold for the third side.
The third and sides of the pinwheel can be tricky. Before the third side, open the model a little bit, and fish out the last corner.
When you reach under the paper to fold the valley fold, pull out the square from underneath it first.
Pinwheel Model Step 4
Pull the fourth side all the way out, and crease it diagonally in the center of the model, so that it overlaps the first triangle you made.
Valley fold the square below (in the center of the model) it in half diagonally, so that the square covers the first triangle you made.
Finish the third side, which will create the fourth side, in the wrong place and backwards.
Complete the third edge now, forming the triangle like before, and a backwards triangle over the first triangle you made.
Fold the last side into position through the middle of the model.
The fourth edge is complete, just in the wrong position. Valley fold through the center diagonally to put the last edge in the correct place.
The first known paper pinwheel originate in Europe where baptism certificates were folded into this unique shape during the 1800's.
Your completed pinwheel should be tacked to a stick or dowel, and given to a happy child for best results.