How to make a box - simple tutorial.

Here is a simple tutorial on how to make a box for your 3D quilling or even a card. The diagram is just to give you an idea. You’ll have to decide on the size of box according to your need.

Materials: Card stock, glue, scissors, ruler, pencil - and coloured paper if you want to cover/decorate the box when it’s done.

If you’re planning to decorate the outside of your box then it does not matter what kind of card you use – recycling is the name of the game so even an empty cereal box will do. Other suggestions: wallpaper scraps, pages out of an old calendar, magazine covers etc. Just remember that the material needs to be slightly stiff and sturdy enough to hold your quilling especially if you’re planning on mailing it. Cardboard won’t work though, as it tends to break.  

1.   Draw four lines on the wrong side of the card (the part that will be the inside of the box). The distance from each line will depend on what you are using it for. So you can have a box that is equal on all sides (for a 3D piece) like the first picture or narrower on two (opposite) sides (for a card) like the second picture. 

2.   Now draw a fifth line on one side of your diagram. This will be narrower than the other four. Note…if you’re making the box with a card in mind, then this fifth side can be the same size as your narrower sides (see pix below)

3. Using your ruler fold down all the lines going inwards (mountain fold). 

4. Now make cuts along the lines on both ends. These will form the top and bottom flaps of your box 

5. Fold these flaps inwards as well. You’ll notice that it already looks like a box and holds quite nicely.

6.   Cut off triangles from the two ends of each flap and also from the fifth (narrower) column. Your box is almost ready.

7.  Apply glue right down the extra column and stick to the inside of the box. Then close off one end by gluing the flaps. There your box is ready. You can now decorate it if you like.

Here is the one I made from a cereal box for my 3D turtle