Credits and Resources
Text-Only Instructions - Copyright 2024 by Lindy van der Merwe
www.accessorigami.com
For instructions with pictures, see, for example,
instructables.com
With thankful acknowledgement to Nishi Sakpal for folding and editing suggestions.
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at first.
Thick paper or thin cardstock is strongly recommended for this model.
If the paper is too thin, you will have trouble closing your box, since it relies on sturdy sides and top flaps in order to attain and hold its final closed shape.
Folding level: Intermediate
Steps: 17
Description:
This model is a beautiful square box that is closed by four interlocking flaps. The flaps come together in a kind of swirl or overlapping pattern on top of the box and they appear to be somewhat rounded or three-dimensional, adding to the beauty of this model.
The box is fairly flat and the flaps close securely in a rotating pattern, giving the box a clean, neat appearance.
NOTE: This model starts from the blintz base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, first do Steps 1 and 2, fold the Blintz Base and then go to Step 6.
You can also learn about the Blintz and other origami bases at the following link:
Bases Used in Origami
Step 1
Place a square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 2
Fold and unfold the square from corner to corner in both directions, in order to create diagonal fold lines or an x across the square.
Step 3
Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 5
Make the blintz fold by using the method you prefer to fold all four corners in to meet at the center of the square.
When pressed flat, you should end up with a smaller square-shaped model divided into 4 triangles.
Make sure that, as far as possible, all outside corners are folded neatly at a 90 degree angle and that the crease lines all lie straight and meet precisely in the center of the square.
Step 6
Unfold completely and rotate the square so one of its points is facing you.
Step 7
Fold the top corner down to meet the center of the first horizontal crease from the bottom.
Note that when you bring the top point downwards, you will have a vertical crease that you can follow all the way to where it meets the horizontal line.
So, place the top point exactly where the vertical and horizontal lines meet.
Crease along the entire top edge of the paper and then unfold.
Step 8
Rotate the square 90 degrees clockwise or to the right and repeat with the remaining 3 corners.
Step 9
Starting with the point nearest you, find the second horizontal crease from the bottom. Use this crease to bring the side of the box into an upright position.
You will have lifted up a large triangle Hold it upright for the next step.
Step 10
Investigate the crease lines that have formed on the surface of this triangular flap on the side nearest you. You will find some creases that seem to form a fairly small rectangle or 2 squares at the bottom of the triangle.
Locate the diagonal fold on the left of this rectangle. There will only be one diagonal fold.
Push this diagonal fold inwards and to the right, so the extra paper will now be hidden on the inside left corner of the side of the box.
Though it will not yet be secure, you can reinforce the new two-layered V-shaped flap from the inside of the box.
Step 11
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise or to the right and repeat with the remaining 3 corners.
If the sides of the box seem to fall flat as you do this step, do not be alarmed. Simply pick them up one at a time as needed.
Once the corners have been formed, you can hold the model together gently on all sides. You should now have a loose box shape with 4 triangular flaps in an upright position.
Step 12
Once again, starting with the side nearest you, notice that the side of the box is now made up of a rectangle at the bottom and a triangle at the top. These two parts are divided by a horizontal crease line.
Reinforce this horizontal crease line by gently folding the flap away from the center of the box so it points towards you.
Once you have pinched the left and right corners of the horizontal fold line, the two layers nearest you only, gently let it unfold, since it will tend to rise into an upright position by itself again.
Step 13
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise or to the right and repeat with the remaining 3 corners.
Step 14
Looking at the side of the box nearest you, consider the surface of the triangular flap that you can feel on the inside of the box.
there will be a large area at the center, made up of one layer of paper and a small double-layered triangle on the left and right sides of each flap.
We are going to make a fold on the right of the flap now.
To do this, make a smallish diagonal fold, starting from the right and using the nearest horizontal fold as a guide, fold down the top point so it forms a slanted edge that will run from the bottom right to the top left.
Take care to include both layers on the right when you make this fold
It will be shaped like a long, skinny rectangle that is flat at the top and pointy at the bottom.
Put in another way, take the triangular flap and fold its top right edge down and away from you at an angle, so it lines up with the triangle on the left.
Once done, this fold will line up perfectly with the smaller triangle that has already been formed on the left of the flap.
Result: After this fold, you should have a flap that will still point upwards, but it will now seem to be slanted to the left in such a way that the flap will correspond with the left side of the model if folded flat.
Step 15
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise or to the right and repeat with the remaining 3 sides.
Result: You will now have 4 similar flaps that all slant to the left.
Step 16
While now keeping the box stationary, start with the flap nearest you and, moving in a clockwise direction, fold each slanted flap flat, so it folds over the open part of the box.
Be sure to keep the right flap from the previous step closed during this step.
The slanted flaps will overlap and each will rest on top of the one before it.
You will notice that the folded flap will align with the left edge as you fold each side.
Take your time with this step. You will have to coax the paper into position, especially at the right corner on each side.
You might have to fold the flaps down while turning your box around a few times, until you find that all the flaps have folded down in an overlapping pattern.
Step 17
Tuck the last flap under the first in order to lock the lid of the self-closing box into place.
This may be a little tricky, since the last flap should stay on top of the others as you tuck it in under the first flap.
You will know that you have done this step correctly if the box stays securely closed.
Making origami accessible through text instructions.
for non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, November 2023
Revised, August 2024
This text copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
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