Whale 3d Hinged Box Tutorial

Smiley mammal "fish" is composed of "base" 

(includes lower body, tail extension with accent overlay, 

"striped" tummy that wraps around sides and lower front 

with optional mouth and teeth shapes) and "lid" 

(includes upper head with splash side cutouts, 

top spout swirl spray, back end tab). 

Lid and base attach to each other 

with black regular size brads as eyes. 

(Inner tabbed strip reinforces across the body at hinge position.)  

To close, pivot the lid toward back and 

fit tab into slot above tail. 

Measures approx. 3.125" wide x 6.5" long (tail tips) 

x 3.5" (spout top). 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A upper body "lid"    B two part "splash" backers
C spout (l & r) base and swirls
D lower body "base"
E "stripe" belly accent    F mouth & teeth accents
G upper tail assembly with fluke accent
H inner front hinge support

2. Prepare the base lower body shape by bending

tabs and panels back, tail end forward slightly.

3. Prepare upper body lid by bending back
tabs and panels, back tab up slightly.

4. Prepare the upper tail panel by bending tab
 back slightly, all other perf lines bend forward .

5. Assembly the lower body tail seams by bending

to bring the first side segment edge to overlap

the corresponding tab perforation line and

attach in place.

Continue to bend, align and attach the remaining

two segments on the first tail side,

then repeat for the second tail side.

6. Complete the front head seams for the base
in similar fashion, bending the shape to bring
together the straight edge segment to overlap
the corresponding tab perforation line,
align and attach.
Complete both side head seams.

7. Prepare the underbelly "stripe" accent

by bending back on the three perforation lines.

8. Center and attach the teeth accent shape
along the top of the mount accent shape.
9. Position and attach the teeth/mouth unit
along the top of the belly accent shape.

10. Apply glue to the whole backside

of the belly accent unit, then position it on 

the base assembly with cross bend lined up 

at the similar angle of the base. 

Bend front and side panels to touch 

and attach to the base.

NOTE that the brad hinge holes on the

sides of base should remain exposed.

11. Position the tail fluke accent onto the

upper tail panel, with stem end edge at panel bend,

and edges slightly offset, and attach in place.

NOTE: a second fluke accent shape can be cut

and attached to the corresponding position on the

tail end of the base, if desired.

12. Position the upper tail panel over the backside

of the base tail end, and glue tail in position with

edges that match up carefully aligned.

13. Bend the tail panel into position to line up
the segment edges, one by one, to overlap
and align with the corresponding perf lines
of the base tail form.
Complete tail seams for both sides. 

NOTE that it may help to reach the seams
and provide a "press against" surface by inserting
a flat tool such as the blade end of this spatula tool.

14. Bend the rim tabs - one at each of four edges - 
to the inside of the base "box", and glue in place.
NOTE it may be helpful to place the edge being
glued flat on a smooth surface and apply
finger pressure all along the tab flange until
it is securely in place.

15. To provide contrast for the "splash" cutouts on the

sides of head, layer the two part "liners" for

left and right.

NOTE if you prefer that both splashes show through

as a single contrast color, omit the smaller shape.

16. Apply adhesive around the splash cutouts

in the approximate size of the liners . . .

. . . then position the liners behind the cutouts

so that the divider edge between the two colors

is hidden in the bridge between cutouts,

and attach in place.

Complete both left and right splash accents.

This is how the splash areas will look with

liners in position,

17. Complete head front side seams in the same manner

as other seams have been completed.

18. Complete the back side seams of head lid.

19. Layer the spout accent swirls, centered within
offset, as shown, base cut of swirls at
bottom tab perforation line.

20. Bend end tabs outward, then position the
two bases back to back, align edges carefully,
and attach together.

21. Insert the tab end of spout through the head

center top slot, push through just to tab perf line,

bend outward on the inside and glue to the

underside of the head "roof".

22. Position the head over the body so that

hinge punch holes align . . .

. . . then insert a decorative brad eye

through each side.

On the inside, bend the prongs back securely.

23. Prepare the hinge support strip as shown . . .

. . . then apply adhesive to one of the inner panel
backsides, bend and apply pressure.
Take care that edge flange tabs remain free.

24. Apply adhesive to the underside of the tabs

then insert into the base and attach just behind

(toward tail)

the brad attachment area, attach to the inside

surface of the base, and hold in place until secure.

This reinforcement keeps the whale body from

"squashing" when being held and opened.

Here you can see how the hinge works 
to open . . .

. . . and close the whale box.

To secure in closed position, insert the tab

into the slot.

Here is the completed whale box.

To further enhance his "charm", consider

adding a highlight "tutti dot" to eye brad heads 

with a stylus or other fine point too

l such as wooden mean skewer.

Clam Shell 3d Gift Box

This "clam shell style" box has lid and base 

with attached boxing walls which echo the shell edge 

in simpler angles, connected with the back wall/hinge shape 

laid between to cover wall tab assembly. 

Decorative overlays add elegant touch to lid. 

Thread arrow ribbon through paired punch holes 

on front edge of lid and base as closure. 

A gift card can fit snugly in the base. 

Or, use the optional non-tabbed connector shape 

to use it as a treat holder, jewelry gift box, and more. 

Measures approx. 5" long x 5.5" wide x .75" deep.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A lid top layer  B lid under layer
C base upper layer   D base lower layer
E lid boxing strip   F base boxing strip
G lid accent shapes
H back wall/interior shape
I back wall outer accent shape
J optional placard main and offset 

2. Identify the various LID and BASE upper & lower

shapes. 

lower/under shapes include the dash cuts

that will allow the boxing wall strips to be positioned

accurately. The LID wall will fit outside the BASE wall,

so position does matter. 

Shown here, the LID under shape includes the 'L'

letter near the bottom of the shape.

The BASE includes an * shape.

3. Prepare the LID (includes the triangle arrow symbol
being shown by pointing finger), and BASE wall
strips by bending back at attachment tabs, rim tabs, and
vertical segment lines.

4. Bend back and glue the (larger) rim tabs

in position on the backside of each wall strip.

Then re-bend on the segment perforations.

5. Apply adhesive to 3 or 4 tabs of the LID wall strip . . .

. . . then position first segments following the

right along the dash cuts on the LID under shape

with tabs directed inward. 

Apply pressure until tabs are secure.

6. For the next sequence of tabs, apply glue to
the tab-width margin "inside" the dash cuts on 
the shell shape where the wall tabs will be positioned.
Then position and adjust, apply pressure until
tabs and wall are secure.
Repeat for the next sequence until all tabs
are in position.

7. Repeat the tab positioning for the BASE

in similar fashion.

Here are the completed LID and BASE units.

8. Prepare the back wall/interior shape by bending

upward (valley folds) as shown at the back wall

perforation lines.

If using the gift card insert shape, bend the

tabs upward.

9. Center the back wall outer accent shape

on the wrong side of the interior insert shape,

and attach.

10. Position the LID and BASE units and orient the

insert to match. Apply adhesive to one side of

the insert, then slide into position and apply

pressure to secure.

If using the gift card insert, take care not to

apply glue to the underside of tabs, or to

adhere them in place.

11. Repeat the positioning and gluing for the
LID end of the insert.

Check to see that the walls will fit together

with the LID wall outside the BASE wall.

Take particular care where the back wall edges
come together.

12. Prepare the accent decoration overlay

by positioning and attaching the blade shapes

to the base shape with offset margin at edges

as shown. Also position and attach the

scalloped arch centered, below the blade ends.

To keep this shape flat when using liquid adhesive,

consider placing under a flat weight during

the drying process.

13. Position and attach the overlay to the

LID upper shape with edge offset margin

all around as shown.

14. Position and attach the upper LID with accents

onto the LID assembly. Also position the BASE

bottom shape to the BASE assembly.

15. Prepare the placard unit, if desired,

then position between the raised tabs of the accent

overlay and attach in place to tabs.

(NOTE that if using tabs and placard, make sure

that the attachment tabs DO NOT get attached

flat during Step 14 above.)