Swirl Top Hex Boxes Leafy and Spiky

Adorn these gift box sides with designer paper print squares 

(design prints not included in either, separate file).

Gift boxes feature six top extensions that swirl closed 

to form leafy or spiky wreath. Contrast underside leaf shapes

 included to camouflage undesirable paper backside.

Leafy box includes half contour overlay for more decorative options. 

Tiny punch holes allow twine to thread through

to figuratively “cinch” box closed then tie 

with knot and bow. A fussy-cutting, view finder “frame” 

is included to help size the cameo squares 

(1.4” for leafy box; 1.7” for spiky box). 

Box compartment measurements:

Leafy approx. 2.25” tall 

with 3” x 3.25” base.  

Spiky approx. 2.125” tall 

with 3.22 long x 2.79” deep base. 

For reference, following are the designer panel

card stock sheets used for these projects

to fussy cut small print panels for outer walls:

Spiky Halloween gift box - 

Echo Park Spooky Journaling Cards SPO284009

Carta Bella Welcome Autumn Seasonal Squares

CBWA138010

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

SPIKY SWIRL TOP BOX

A main hull  

B opt. "petals" backside overlays (6)

C trimmed designer panels for walls (6)

D interior "floor" hexagon

E exterior bottom panel

F opt. view-finder frame for tracing

fussy-cut panels . . .

. . . as is shown here.

LEAFY SWIRL TOP BOX

A main hull  

B opt. leaf contour overlays (6)

C opt. "petals" backside overlays (6)

D trimmed designer panels for walls (6)

E interior "floor" hexagon

F exterior bottom panel

G opt. view-finder frame for tracing

fussy-cut panels . . .

. . . as is shown here.

NOTE that because of the similarity of assembly,

images of both projects may be used to demonstrate.

Differences are noted when necessary.

2. Prepare the hull by bending back on all

perforation lines for panels and tabs, EXCEPT . . .

. . . bend forward on diagonal lines.

3. Position and attach decorative panel overlays

centered within the outer wall sections 

as defined by perforation lines.

LEAFY BOX: a narrow offset margin on 3 sides,

with enough space above (or below if preferred)

for a "header" space, or a place to attach trim.

SPIKY BOX: designer panels are cut square to fit

within the perf-defined wall sections with narrow

margin all around.

3. For LEAFY version, position and attach leaf contour

overlays on each hull extension, matching outer edges

as precisely as possible.

4. If desired to hide print backside of undesirable

color/pattern, position and attach leaf overlays

on backside.

Shown here is LEAFY box, and here . . .

. . . here for SPIKY box.

5. To help with liquid adhesive glue up remain flat

and not curl or warp, place a heavy flat weight on top

and allow to press flat until dry.

6. Form the hull into a tube to bring sides together,

overlapping straight side edges across flange tabs

to align exactly at perforation line (shown here

for LEAFY box . . .

. . . and here for SPIKY box.

NOTE that either hull can be arranged to press

flat so that fingertip pressure can easily be applied

along side seam.

7. Reconfigure hull to its "open" form, then apply

adhesive to underside of bottom tabs, bend inward.

Insert interior hexagon "floor" panel through top

opening and . . .

. . . slide downward to bottom of hull where straight

hex edges should seat at bottom tab perf bends.

NOTE it will be helpful to reach inside to apply

fingertip pressure thoroughly along each of six seams.

8. Apply adhesive to underside of exterior hex panel

then position it to match edges on box bottom.

9. Opt. for LEAFY box, bend accent trip strips back at

center perforation, then position across two sides

with perf bend aligned exactly at box bend.

NOTE that the strips can be planned and executed

to be above the squares as shown here, or

at bottom, with panels placed at top.

To close the swirl top box . . .

10. Begin by arranging "pleats" at top to swirl in

counter-clockwise direction, with a leaf in top

position. Lay first two or three pleats on top of

each other, one by one, then gently twist so that

left edges of leaves move slightly out of the way

to allow the final few leaves to be laid into swirl.

Final leaf will need to gently be flexed to swing

into final position in full-circle swirl.

Take care to support and coax the leaves

into position without bending or tearing at

top of diagonal perforations.

As final leaf is arranged to swing under or over

adjacent leaves, help swirl to arrange and self-adjust

into fill swirl, urging downward slightly nearer to

"top" of compartment.

11. Thread a 17-18" length of twine onto a darning

or other needle (as fine a gauge as possible to hold

twine, preferably blunt tipped). Thread through

aligned pairs of lacing holes at base of each petal.

When the twine has circuited the box, adjust so it is

centered. Tie knot snug but NOT tight, and bow,

then trim excess ends as desired.

Here are the two completed swirl top boxes.