Moravian Star

I have thought these were a really cool geometric pattern forever. There is a lot of history on the Moravian story and the story of the star. It is worth a google to see what it is all about. This will be our Christmas tree topper. It is fastened above the tree with fishing line. There is not a good way I have found to set it on the top of a tree without ruining the bottom point. And Symmetry is the true meaning behind this star, (like I said, google it)

1. Own or access to a laser engraver and 3d printer
2. Heavy cardstock paper I used what is pictured.
3. Super Glue
4. Hot Glue Gun and sticks
5. Fishing line if hanging
6. A 1in nail or dowel or toothpick, again, if hanging
7. Time

Print or have printed the attached center/core structure. I did mine on a resin printer, hollowed to 1.5mm wall thickness and added some drain holes.

You will need (18) of the large 4 sided points and (8) of the smaller 3 sided points.

When cutting, the fold lines should have a good bite into the paper to make sure it is easy to fold, but be careful not to cut through.

Start folding each point at the narrow band. It is easier to fold this one when there isn't any other folds in the way, do not fold the 3 or 4 short flaps that are used to attach to the core yet. They will get in the way with gluing the seam.

This takes time. Great to do while watching TV. 26 to fold, 26 seams to glue. Be sure you align the base corners as shown in the photo. This keeps the dimensions of the attachment the same at the point and the core and will keep everything square to the core in the next step,

The core has a tunnel in it for fishing a line through it. There is also a pocket you can use to secure the line to the core via a short nail, dowel rod or toothpick. Tie the line off to the nail (or whatever you use that will fit) and chase the fishing line through the tunnel out the top. You will need to feed this line through one of the 4 sided points and begin the assembly with this point.

Start and assembly each point to each face on the core. 4 sided points on the square faces, 3 sided points on the triangle faces. I tried super glue on this at first and decided I did not have that much time left on earth to fiddle with that. Carefully applied hot glue will work well and gives you enough time to wiggle each piece into place. Make sure the edges match the core faces and are square and true. I designed in a little fudge factor to allow for some misalignment and tolerances, but you still need to be careful.

Finishing is entirely up to you. On one, I primed with black spray paint and while wet painted it white. Hoping for a metallic look. The second one, I applied a clear satin finish and highlighted with a blue. I want to print the cardstock with sheet music on the next try and then cut these out. If you do this, let me know how it worked.

I am also going to play around with other configurations, point counts and scales.