Mini St. Patrick's Day Bowler Hat Favor Box

It may seem like a tiny leprechaun

has left his bowler hat behind!

Small-scale topper is a favor box, a treat holder,

or simply decor for March's Irish celebrations.

Measures approx. 4" brim diameter x 2" crown height.

3d hat fits over an octagon box base.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A crown wedges (8)

B brim main ring (cut a 2nd for underneath)

C brim rim ring

D hat band

E shamrock hat band decor

F base box boxing strip

G base box octagon insert (inside)

H base box octagon bottom cover

Not shown: crown interior octagon cover

2. Prepare the 8 octagon crown wedges by folding the side tabs back slightly, the bottom tab outward slightly, and folding on the three horizontal perf lines.

3. Join the first two wedges by overlapping the right lower straight edge over the adjacent wedge's corresponding tab, to the perforation line, adjust so top and bottom section corners match, then glue in place.

4. Bend the two wedges so that the straight edge and perforation line of the second level line up, and glue in place.

5. Repeat the joining process for the top level section straight edge and tab.

6. Add a third and then a fourth wedge to the assembly with the same process to form half of the crown. Join the remaining four wedges in the same manner to create the second half.

7. Bring the two halves together and line up the lower level section straight edge and perforation line as in other wedge joining steps. Complete this lowest tab joint on both half-seams and allow glue to cure until joint is strong.

8. Push the two half domes together to overlap the straight edge over the corresponding tab perf line. Work to get the best alignment possible, then hold in place until the seams grab.

(NOTE: in this image the two halves are still being pushed together, hence the large center gap. Some gapping may still remain when joint is worked to best outcome.)

9. Apply glue to the underside of the interior octagon cover shape, then place on the inside of the crown assembly to cover the gap, if any exists.

It may be helpful to turn the assembly top down onto a flat table top to provide a press-against surface for the completion of seams and also for attachment of octagon cover.

10. Place the main brim ring octagon opening over the crown. Slide it down until it seats completely against the lower crown tabs.

(It will be a snug fit, so it may take some patience to work the brim into place.)

11. Apply glue to the upper surface of the crown tabs (that is, between the tab and the underside of the brim ring), then press each tab to join to brim ring.

12. OPTIONAL: Place a second brim rind over the underside of the already-attached brim, line up the octagon opening and outer edge carefully, and glue in place.

(NOTE: This is optional since if the hat box remains mostly "closed" during display or use, the construction tabs on the underside of main brim will probably rarely be seen and therefore may NOT need this extra brim shape to mask the assembly.)

13. Apply glue to underside, then place the brim rim ring over the crown and into place with outer edges matches with the brim.

14. Prepare the hat band by bending on all perforation lines.

Place the hat band around the crown with perforation lines aligned at the wedge seams. Overlap the straight side edge, adjust the band to be as snug as desired, then glue edge in place over tab.

15. Quicky layer and glue the shamrock decor shapes, then tuck the stems behind the hat band before the band glue is too dried.

16. Prepare the box base boxing strip by bending lower tabs and upper flanges back, also bend slightly on all vertical perforation lines.

NOTE that a tiny circle cutout identifies the upper (opening edge) flanges.

17. Fold the upper (opening) edge flanges back and glue in place, all except the flange opposite the side tab.

This image shows all the upper tabs folded and glued under in place, except the end tab.

18.  Form the boxing strip into a ring to bring the straight side edge over the opposite side tab's perf line. Adjust so that top and bottom side seam corners align, then glue in place.

19. Finish gluing the left-undone upper edge flange.

20. On the bottom of the box base, bend tabs in toward center.

Apply glue to the upper surface of each tab, on the inside of the octagon.

Select the interior octagon base (does NOT have the thumb tab) . . .

. . . then insert it into the box's interior, adjust to align the straight edges with the boxing ring's straight sides, and push down until the octagon edges seat exactly against each segment of the boxing strip's bottom tabs.

Place the assembly on a flat surface to apply pressure uniformly along each tab until the octagon is neatly in place.

21. On the bottom of the box base, position the outer octagon cover over the box assembly's bottom, adjust so that edges of box and base cover line up, then press in place to secure.

Take care that the thumb tab does not get glued down.

22. Insert the base box into the octagon opening on the underside of the crown and brim.

Here is how the model hat looks 

when the box base has the box upper in place.

And here is the hat box being shown

with the base box open and filled.

Flip Flop 3d Box

A thin lid and base box that looks like a miniature flip flop

can be a wonderful touch on a summer luncheon, bridal party,

birthday party, or tropical feast.

Angular shape makes it easy to attach the "boxing" flanges.

Embellish the side edges of the lid with contrast rectanges.

Toe straps tuck into slots to provide the arching dimension

of real flip flops. Three-layer flower is shaped and hold in place

with a regular size brad. Tiny tag can be name card.

CONSTRUCTION:

1. Identify and cut the shapes.

A lid body 

B lid boxing strips, upper and lower

C base body

D base boxing 

E lid overlay main shape

F decorative overlay

G straps & offset decorative inner shapes

H three toe strap flower decorations

2. Fold the lid boxing strips tabs back, and fold inward on all vertical perforation lines.

Apply glue behind the lower "rim" tabs, then fold back and glue in place, except leave the long strip left end tabs open for joining the two strips before they are folded down.

3. Align the first edge of the lid upper boxing strip tab at the first upper half edge of body shape, as shown here. Attach in place, taking care that the straight edge and boxing segment are aligned as accurately as possible.

4. Continue aligning each successive segment of boxing strip with the corresponding body straight edge and attaching, until all of the upper strip edges are joined.

5. Align the tab end of lower boxing strip behind the upper strip side edge and attach. Fold the remaining rim tab back to overlap the joint tab and glue in place.

6. Continue to align and attach the segments and corresponding edges of lower boxing strip and flip flop body until all are in place. As the final segment is being attached, also align and glue the end tab behind the adjoining strip end edge. Fold the rim tab down and glue in place.

7. Position the decorative overlay centered on the main overlap shape (offset within slightly), adjust and glue in place.


8. Position the inner strap shape within the main strap shape and glue in place.

9. Shape the flower decor shapes by overlapping end petals forming a slight cupping shape, and glue in place. Repeat for all three flowers.

10. Thread flowers in order onto a regular size contrast brad. Position strap over overlay assembly with punch holes aligned, then thread brad prongs through hole and bend prongs back underneath.

11. Add some curl to both of the strap ends to give dimension and a realistic look to them.

12. Insert the strap end(s) through the corresponding edge slots until the perforation mark is at the slot level.

13. Fold the end under and glue in place securely. Repeat for the other strap.

14. Position and attach the overlay assembly over the lid, matching edges exactly.

15. Add the side decor shapes to each segment of the lid boxing. NOTE that these are offset in from the upper and lower edges slightly, but should reach to the end perforation lines of the boxing strip.

16. Repeat the boxing strip joining process to attach upper and lower strips to the base main shape. 

17. Fit the lid over the base shape to close the box. 

18. Prepare and attach the small name ID tag if desired.

Here are two views of the finished box.