Text-Only Instructions
Credits and Resources:
This is a traditional model.
See, for instance,
Paper to be used: Square or rectangular, any size; use larger paper to practice with at first. Thick paper or thin cardstock is strongly recommended.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 12
Description: This is a fairly sturdy, long rectangular open box. A lid can be made by altering Steps 3 and 5 (see "Remarks" below).
The bottom and sides will be a different color from the inside of the box. The corners are quite sturdy and the sides are also made up of three layers of paper. So, this is quite a strong box compared to some other origami models.
Folding this box from a rectangle will result in a fairly narrow, long box. Folding it from a square that has been made from a rectangle that is the same size will make a box that is about the same width but it will be much shorter in length.
Remarks:
This box is easy and quick to fold. Take care not to refold, stretch or tug at the paper too much when folding, or the sides of the box will not be straight and will tend to bulge towards the outside.
Remember, even if you have memorized the folding steps for fairly simple boxes, it might not be easy to fold a perfect box shape at first.
Keep at it. It takes precise creases and a fairly light touch to produce great-looking boxes. Practice makes perfect.
decorate with origami hearts or stars, gift bows or by using any other pretty embellishments.
A lid can be made for this box by altering Steps 3 and 5.
Instead of folding the edges in to lie on the center horizontal crease lines, leave a slight gap on either side when you do Step 3 and 5.
This will result in a lid, identical to, but just slightly larger than your box.
Making a lid that fits perfectly may take some practice and a little guesswork, so experiment with copy or other scrap paper first.
If using two-sided origami paper, lay your paper with the patterned or colored side up before starting to fold.
The color or pattern will be visible on the outside of your box and/or lid.
Step 1
Place a square piece of paper down on a hard, flat surface with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
If you are using rectangular paper, place it down with the short edges at the left and right and the long edges facing top and bottom.
Step 2
Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge to form a horizontal center crease line.
Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Fold both the top and bottom edges in to meet at the horizontal crease line you have just folded.
Crease well and leave folded.
Step 4
Now fold both edges that are lying on the horizontal crease line upwards and downwards again so they meet the new top and bottom edges of the model.
You should now have a rectangle with a center horizontal crease and two folded "bands" (three layers of paper) at the top and bottom edges of the paper.
Flip the model over.
Step 5
Once again, fold both the top and bottom edges in to meet at the horizontal crease line.
Crease well and unfold again.
Note that three horizontal crease lines have just been created.
Step 6
Next, fold the bottom right corner upwards and inwards so it lies along the third horizontal crease from the bottom edge of the model.
Crease and leave folded.
The bottom "band" that had been formed in Step 4 will now lie in a vertical position and a triangular corner will have formed at the right side of the model.
Step 7
Focus on the "band" you have just created. Starting from the bottom edge of the model, slide your finger along the "band" until you find its top edge. Fold the top right corner of the "band", consisting of two layers of paper, inwards (mountain fold) at a 45 degree angle to form a small corner at the top of the band you are working with.
Crease well and leave folded.
Step 8
Next, fold the top right corner of your model downwards and inwards until you can feel that it has formed a band that is lying precisely on top of the "band" you have already folded, covering it almost entirely.
Crease well and leave folded.
Note that the band you have just formed will not reach the bottom edge of your model, but will only reach the first horizontal fold line from the bottom.
The "band" will lie in a vertical position and a neat, triangular corner will have formed at the right side of the model.
Step 9
Lift the two top layers of the bottom "band" up slightly and Tuck the top "band" into the fold that has been created. These two "bands", that have now been tucked into each other, will form the short side of your box.
Press flat.
Step 10
Valley fold the triangle that remains at the right side of the paper to the left so it disappears underneath the vertical band that have been formed just to the left of it.
To make this step easier, first fold the triangle to the left as far as it
will go and crease firmly. Then, unfold, lift up the vertical "band" slightly and slide the triangular corner underneath it. Push it inwards all the way and make sure the right edge of your model is straight.
Leave folded.
Step 11
Repeat Steps 6 to 10 on the left side of the model.
Step 12
All that remains is to shape the box by grasping the left and right sides gently and pulling them apart. They will form the short sides of the box while the long sides will move to an upright position as you perform this step.
Pinch the folds from the outside to improve the shape of the box and make sure all corners are neatly creased.
If the sides and/or corners of the box seem to bulge outwards, keep pinching and pressing the sides and corners gently inwards until the shape improves.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text instructions.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, January 2010
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