3d Stars & Stripes Candy Bowl

Get the Independence Day party started

with this dimensional star bowl constructed from card stock.

Star point sections are decorated with stars and stripes shapes

then folded and joined into rim and walls shapes,

attached to base with tabs and slots.

Follow this tutorial to see how the shapes join up.

Bowl measures approximately 7 inches across.

This design will soon be available 
from SnapDragon Snippets

through SVG Attic 
and is now available through the Silhouette America online store.

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the shapes.
A. star bowl base
B. cosmetic bottom cover
C. optional rim cosmetic cover
D. star point pieces (5)
E. optional inner joint reinforcements
F. decorative stripes base pieces (5)
G. decorative stripes pieces(5)
H. decorative star band pieces (10)

FOLDING DEFINITION:
inward: face to face
outward: back to back

2. Fold the point pieces at perforations.
a. fold front center inward at vertical perf.
b. fold back front & back segments  from narrow rim sections
c. fold outer bottom tabs inward
d. fold inner bottom tabs outward
e. fold inner end tab (shown at upper left) inward
f. fold outer end tab (shown at lower left) outward
g. fold center tab outward

DO NOT FOLD the tiny extension at rim section.

3. Before assembling point sections, fold and glue the three layers of outer decorations in place. Once glued in place, but while glue is still pliable, fold at the perforation and let decor shape adjust itself to fit around the point piece's folded shape.

Add red base strip, then white stripes pieces, then star bands, one on each half of the star point piece.










Here you can see the three layers of the stars and strips.













4. Add adhesive to the center inside point tab, and a tiny bit to the rim extension beyond the dash cut toward the edge and corner

5. Fold the inner segments toward the center while bringing the center tab and edge together as the extension slides under the opposite corresponding edge of the rim miter.

6. Reach in to points to apply pressure to seam, taking care to make sure that seam perforation and edge remain correctly aligned.

Use a skewer or other similar tool to reach in to apply pressure to the extension and the overlapping edge at the rim surfaces.

Here is a completed, joined point unit.

Prepare 5 of these point units.

7. Insert the bottom inner tabs of the point unit through the slots on the star base. and work fully through until perforation is at star edge. Fold tabs toward center, apply glue to the underneath surfaces, then press into place and hold until secure.

8. Fold the outer tabs over the star base edges, ensuring that the star edge fits snugly into the perforation angle. Hold in place until glue is secure.

Apply pressure from the inside of the bowl to assist tabs to hold securely.

Use skewer inserted into the interior of the point section between inner surface and outer, and press into corner to assist point edges and tabs to join securely.

9. Repeat the bottom tab insertion process for each remaining point section. Here is the second point section with tabs being inserted into the slots.

From the bottom of the assembly, see the tabs through slots, and the edge tabs ready to wrap around the star base edges.

10. Flex the two points apart to expose the tab surfaces then apply glue to inner and outer tabs, also top extension beyond dash cut as before. 

11. Re-align and fit the end tabs of one point unit into the end of the adjoining unit.

Use the skewer tool as before, inserted into points to ensure inside edges and tabs attach well, in between inner and outer walls to help with the outer edge tab connections.

Insert the skewer tool into the base holes, then work it into position to help with the attachment of the point-to-point tabs of inner and outer walls.

Apply finger pressure from the outer paper surfaces, pressing against the skewer to help the glue joint become aligned and secure.

12. The final (fifth) point unit will need to have each end joined to previously-positioned assembly edges. Follow the same procedures, using the skewer tool through holes, and into exposed spaces to help the edges join.

Here is the final point section fitting into position. Apply pressure to the point units as a whole to help with the joining process.

13.  Apply adhesive to the back surface of the cosmetic star base and glue it over the base star's underside to conceal the construction seams, slots, tabs and holes. Adjust quickly, then apply roving pressure to get the shape to attach uniformly and securely.

Once in place and holding, turn the bowl over, place on flat surface, and apply finger pressure to the inside bowl surfaces to help with the attachment.

14. Optional step: to help secure the point-to-point connections, or to conceal them, or as an accent, fold the seam reinforcement shapes inward on the center perforation, then apply glue and attach at each of the inner corners as shown.

15. Optional step: a contrast or concealing rim shape can be glued to the assembly's rim. Audition this shape compared to the final shape of the bowl to see how they align, before applying adhesive to rim of bowl, just in case the shapes differ significantly (which is possibly because of the construction in sections, the flexibility of paper, and user error, etc.).

Here is another side/inside view of the completed box.