Large 3D Box Rustic Holiday

Large scale, hexagon fancy box to decorate 

and display or give as a gift 

(filling must work around reinforcement collar 

which divides hull space). 

Measures approx. 8.25" wide x 7.125" deep x 7.375" tall. 

Side offset accent panels can be cut from favorite paper 

(model shows panels from Graphic 45 
Winter Wonderland Collection  "Rustic Holiday" 
print stock fussy-cut using panel shapes as templates). 

Lid accent top shape includes a center punch hole 

to accept a decorative brad or other decorations 

and accent shapes such as "Bow 3D Double Loops" 

and "Doily Lacy Edge Hexagon". 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A box main hull side panels (3)
B side panel accents (shown are fussy-cut G45 paper)
C base hexagon marked with 'B'
D hull upper opening interior reinforcement collar
E lid side panels (3)
F lid accent strips (shown fussy-cut from G45 paper)
G lid hexagon        H lid accent offset hexagon
I optional lid accent doily (from separate cut file)

2. The model box shown in this tutorial features

Graphic 45 Winter Wonderland "Rustic Holiday"

specialty print card stock.

It includes 4 full size panels, and two panels

that are composed of smaller rectangle designs

that are equivalent to the full size panels,

all of which fit as size panel accents on

this large hex box - intentionally.

Lid border strips were cut from holly border

design on the companion "Nordic Greetings"

specialty card stock in the same G45 collection.

2. Prepare the main hull shapes (3) by bending

back on all perforation lines for side panels,

top flanges, bottom and side tab flanges.

3. Align and join the side panels along the

side seams, overlapping the straight side (left)

edge over the side tab flange (right), adjusting

up and down for perfect alignment, then

gluing securely in place.

Join all three panels into one long panel.

4. Cut a side panel accent shape from the cut file

to use as a template - OR - study the cut out panel

shown in the image below to see how the panels

are trimmed at the edge dividing the "colored" panel

and the black background on the card stock print, then

cut out 6 side panels.

5. While the hull main panel is flat, position

and attach the 6 side panels toward the bottom

of the perforation-defined hull side panels,

leaving an offset of approx. 1/8" at bottom

and side edges. "Dry" tape-style adhesive is

recommended. If using liquid adhesive, it is

advised to use a flat weight to press the panel

during glue drying to avoid warping or curling.

6. Turn the hull side panel unit face down,
then press TOP EDGE flanges to back and glue
in place ALL EXCEPT the flange that is adjacent
to the straight side edge. (This flange will be
folded and glued in place later.)

7. Form the hull panel into a tube to bring together

the final side seam straight edge and corresponding

tab flange, adjust, then join final side seam.

NOTE that the symmetrical shape of the hull

will allow the tube to be pressed flat to apply

fingertip pressure along the final side seam.

8. Bend the final top opening flange tab 

to backside and glue in place.

9. Bend the bottom flange tabs
of the hull tube inward at 90 degree angles.
Identify the base hexagon shape by locating
the 'B' cut into it, then . . . 

. . . position and attach it to the bottom flange tabs
of the hull tube. 
NOTE: One way to do this is to "audition" the fit
of the hexagon edges to the tab perforation lines,
re-shaping the hull hex tube to match - 
paper thickness may cause the hexagon to fit slightly
inside the tab perforations. Then, noting that offset,
first attach one hex edge to its tab, and when secure,
folding the hex base into position to attach to
the remaining tabs.

10. Prepare the hull reinforcement collar by
bending all of the edge flanges forward/upward.

11. Insert the collar into the hull top opening,

adjusting the opening edges to conform to collar,

and slipping the collar downward into the hull

so that the top edge of the collar flange alignes

just below the hull flange. Then . . . 

. . . apply finger pressure all around to secure

each of the 6 edge "seams".

12. Prepare the 3 lid side panel shapes by

bending back on all perforation lines

as was done for hull shapes.

13. Join the 3 shapes at side seams.

14. Add accent strips to lid side panels.

NOTE: the cut file includes variations for 

lid side panel accents, depending on specialty

print being used, or other considerations.

The strips used on this project include NO

offset, either at top and bottom edges, nor sides.

15. Reverse the lid side panel unit to press

and attach bottom edge flanges to backside . . . 

. . . leaving the final flange adjacent to the straight

side edge unattached until later in assembly.

16. Form the lid unit into a ring to bring together
the final straight edge and tab, and join.

Bend the final rim flange back and glue in place.

17. Position and attach the lid accent hexagon.

18. Bend the lid upper edge tabs inward, then
attach the lid hexagon shape, aligning hex edges
at tab perforation lines, adjusting and re-shaping
the sides unit to match up edges in similar
manner as was done for hull base hexagon
(see step 9), and joining.

19. Complete the box by fitting the lid onto
the base (this is a snug fit), and . . . 

. . . attaching other embellishments and accents, 

including this "Doily Lacy Edge Hexagon"

shape (from a separate cut file)

that is designed specifically to fit the lid, 

 or . . . 

. . . positioning and attaching the large 3D bow

at the center (bow's brad prongs can be un-bent

and inserted through the lid - pierce the lid first).

Here is the final box, with doily and bow.