Designer: Lindy van der Merwe/Traditional/Unknown
Text-Only Instructions Copyright 2024 by Lindy van der Merwe
accessorigami.com
This model was folded by me without any external reference or resource.
If you are aware of any other source where this model or similar might be listed, please let me know so I can reference it under this heading.
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at first.
Paper with a different color on each side is recommended for this model.
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Steps: 11 for the bottom and 14 for the lid.
Description: In this tutorial you will actually fold two different boxes. We will first fold the bottom in Part 1 and then a lid will be folded in Part 2.
Though the two models use similar techniques, they look different enough that they can also be used separately.
The first box is two-toned with the bottom square of the box having a different color from the rest of the model.
The second box or lid is also two-toned. Specifically, the top and corners will be one color while the rest of the sides will be a different color.
Thus, using two-sided origami or other colored paper will form an attractive pattern, making this box even more eye-catching.
NOTES:
1 If you would like to avoid unnecessary crease lines during the folding and on the finished box, be sure to make pinch marks instead of strong creases where indicated. It might feel strange in the beginning, but you will get used to it after a while.
It will help with your folding in general if you are able to learn this skill.
2 This model starts from the blintz base. If you are able to achieve this without instructions, fold the blintz base once, then go to Step 5.
You can also learn about the Blintz and other origami bases at the following link:
Most Common Bases Used in Origami
3 If you use origami paper that is flexible, you might not need to worry about folding the lid to be larger than the bottom. However, if your paper is thicker and more rigid, consider leaving tiny spaces when you fold the Blintz Base for the lid. This should be enough to create a perfect fit. As the case may be with folded boxes, some trial and error may be needed to get your models to fit together neatly.
Part 1 - Box 1 or the Bottom
Step 1
Place a square down with its edges to the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 2
Fold the left edge over to meet the right edge. Pinch lightly at the sides and unfold.
Step 3
Fold the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Pinch lightly at the sides and unfold.
Step 4
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 5
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with your folded square once again so that you will have small pinch marks for the next steps.
Step 6
We are now going to hide the points that are at the center of the square so we will have a figure that will resemble a picture frame.
The pinch marks you have created should help you to make a straight fold here.
To do this, you can choose one of two methods:
Method 1: Working with the edge nearest you, take the point at the center and valley fold it back towards you, to meet the pinch mark denoting the center of the edge nearest you. Make a strong crease.
Then, reversing the valley fold into a mountain crease, flip the point away from you, so it is hidden on the inside of the folds of the square.
Method 2: Omit the valley fold and, lifting the flap nearest you a little, fold the point under to touch the inside edge using a mountain fold.
The result of both methods should be that you have created a band or frame with a smooth surface along one of the sides of the square.
Step 7
Now turn your square so the next edge is facing you and repeat the previous step until all sides look the same, just like a picture frame.
Check that your folded bands are as straight as possible and that they meet each other nicely at the inner corners of the square.
These bands are important for the neatness of the sides of your box, so take extra care to try to fold them accurately.
Step 8
We will now create the first side and corner of our box.
To do this:
8.1 Lift and hold the straight edge of the square, nearest you, into an upright position. Use your thumbs and fingers to reinforce the fold where the bottom and side of the box meet by pressing from the inside as well as the outside.
Note that the side of the box will have 3 layers
8.2 With your right hand, grasp the bottom right corner of the square and gently press it between your fingers so it forms a nice, sharp diagonal valley fold.
It should be like the beak of a bird.
8.3 Take the corner that has formed and swing it to the left, so it comes to rest against the outside of the edge you are holding upright.
8.4 Use your fingers to make a strong 90 degree fold to form the first corner of the box.
Take care not to make your corners too tight or too loose, or the sides won't end up being nice and straight.
8.5 Let the side and the corner unfold for the moment.
Step 9
Rotate the box to the left so that you have the next side in front of you and repeat Step 8 on the remaining three sides.
Result: Your sides and corners will have been folded, but they will still seem loose and floppy.
In the next steps, we will reverse the corner folds and tuck them inside the box, locking everything in place.
Step 10
10.1 Next, lift the inside flap of the side or band nearest you. Hold it up for the next step.
10.2 Take the right corner that is jutting out and, reversing the valley fold into a mountain fold, press the corner so it folds inwards, to the inside and to the left. It should come to rest on the inside of the box.
The corner will now lay completely flat against the inside of the box, with its loose point to the left.
Make sure that the corner has formed properly and that the creases of the flap you are holding up are neat and flat.
10.3 Lastly, you can let the side you are holding up fold down again, away from you, so it will cover the corner you have just formed.
If all went well, you will now have a nicely folded side with the right corner hidden inside it.
Step 11
Rotate the box to the left so that you have the next side in front of you and repeat Step 10 on the remaining three sides.
You might find it a bit difficult to form the last side without dislodging the corner next to it, but some time spent with the paper will eventually convince it to fall into place as the other corners did.
You can now inspect the finished bottom of the box. It will have sides made up of three layers and a single-layered bottom, which will be a different color from the sides. There are also no actual corners visible from the inside or the outside
Part 2 - Box 2 or the Lid
Follow Steps 1 to 7 above.
Step 8
Flip the square over from left to right so you have a smooth surface facing up.
Make sure the square is positioned with its edges on the left and right, top and bottom.
Step 9
We will now create the first side and corner of our box.
To do this:
9.1 Lift and hold the straight edge of the square, nearest you, into an upright position. Use your thumbs and fingers to reinforce the fold where the bottom and side of the box meet by pressing from the inside as well as the outside.
Note that the side of the box will have 3 layers
9.2 With your right hand, grasp the bottom right corner of the square and gently press it between your fingers so it forms a nice, sharp diagonal valley fold.
It should be like the beak of a bird.
9.3 Take the corner that has formed and swing it to the left, so it comes to rest against the outside of the edge you are holding upright.
9.4 Use your fingers to make a strong 90 degree fold to form the first corner of the box.
Take care not to make your corners too tight or too loose, or the sides won't end up being nice and straight.
9.5 Let the side and the corner unfold for the moment.
Step 10
Rotate the box to the left so that you have the next side in front of you and repeat Step 9 on the remaining three sides.
Result: Your sides and corners will have been folded, but they will still seem loose and floppy.
In the next steps, we will be locking everything in place and creating our decorative corners.
Step 11
11.1 Next, lift the outside flap of the side or band nearest you. Hold it up for the next step.
11.2 Like you did before, take the corner that has formed on the right and swing it to the left, so it comes to rest against the outside of the edge you are holding upright.
11.3 Make sure that the corner has formed properly and that the creases of the flap you are holding up are neat and flat.
11.4 Lastly, you can let the side you are holding up fold down again, towards you.
Step 12
Rotate the box to the left so that you have the next side in front of you and repeat Step 11 on the remaining three sides.
You might find it a bit difficult to form the last side without dislodging the corner next to it, but some time spent with the paper will eventually convince it to fall into place as the other corners did.
Step 13
With one of the sides of the box facing you, focus on the flap that has formed on the outside right corner.
You will be able to lift this flap away from the side of the box on the right.
To create the colored effect on the corner, we have to take the loose flap and fold it inwards, using a mountain fold.
So, take the corner of the flap and fold it diagonally upwards and inwards as far as it will go. Then press it flat against the side of the box so it is hidden.
You have just created the first side with the decorative corner detail.
Step 14
Rotate the box to the left so that you have the next side in front of you and repeat Step 13 on the three remaining sides.
You can now inspect the finished lid of the box, which will have one color for the top and corners and another along the sides of the box.
In contrast with the hidden corners of the bottom of the box, the corners of this lid is its best feature.
Join the bottom and the lid or fold two more and join the similar boxes with each other.
Making origami accessible through text-only instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
~`~Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, October 2024
This text copyright 2024 by accessorigami.com
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