Christmas Puddling Swirl Top Box

Deliciously unique gift box is composed 

of 12 side panels - embellished with 

drippy sauce accents - that cleverly swirl-fold 

toward the center to close, then un-swirl to open. 

Inside a candle-like post has a slot that accepts 

the stem of the berries shape, threaded through 

slot in trio of holly leaves. 

Measures approx. 3" tall x 3" wide x 3" long. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main box side wedges (12)
B bottom panel (green here & in tutorial; brown final)
C interior center stem
D stem reinforcement (accordion fold)
E interior stem platform
F dripping sauce wedge accents (4 ea of 3)
G berries platform stems L & R, berries & base
H holly assembly: base and 3 accent shapes

2. Prepare each of the 12 wedge shapes by

folding back the side tabs

(NOTE that the wedges do not include

a bottom tab in the final design) . . .

. . . bend back on the narrow division line . . .

. . . then bend back at the center perforation line.

This image shows from back as folded.

This image shows from front as folded.

3. Prepare the scallop edge base shape

by bending the scallop tabs back.

4. Position the first wedge, face outward, behind

one scallop tab, with the bottom straight edge

aligned along the perforation line, and

bottom edge (not including side tab)

centered with the scallop tab. Glue in place.

5. Position the second wedge next to
and to the right of the first attached wedge,
with side tabs under the adjacent straight edge
of tab, with bottom edge centered behind
scallop tab as for first wedge, and attach. 
Join side tabs to edges bottom then top.
6. Continue to add the remaining wedges in
the same fashion, until . . .

. . . the final wedge is positioned, including

positioning the right straight edge over the side tabs

of the first wedge.

7. Position and attach the dripping sauce accent

shapes at the top section of each wedge,

with angled straight edge aligned next to perf line,

curve edge offset one-tenth inch or so in from

wedge curve. Alternate the three shapes

as you add them around the twelve wedges.

9. Prepare the stem by bending back on
vertical perf lines and hex "lid" edge and tab,
bending bottom tabs outward.

10. Form the stem into a tube to bring 
the straight edge to overlap the side tab,
and glue in place.

NOTE that the symmetry of this shape will allow

it to be pressed flat to facilitate applying pressure

along the seam. If you use this method, be

sure to open it up again into a tube.

11. Bend the "lid" down into position,
with the tab wrapped over the stem edge,
and glue tab in place.

12. Prepare the stem support shape

in accordion fashion (back-forward-back, etc.)

then . . .

. . . stack and glue the edges so that the shape
is one thick collar, like this,
taking care to align all cutout edges precisely.

13. Position and attach the collar stack on top of the
interior platform taking care to align the
interior edges of the hexagon cutouts of each.

14. Insert the tab end of the stem through the

platform, then . . .

. . . bend the tabs back and glue in place.

15. Position and attach the platform inside the

wedge assembly, with outer edges aligned inside

the wedge bottom seams.

16. If not done previously, ease and urge the

wedges to bend along the perforations and

condense inward . . . 

. . . until the top portions swirl together around

the top of the stem as shown.

(This may place stress on some of the joints

and seams, so check and reattach as necessary

if any become loose.)

17. Prepare the berry platform shapes by

bending forward at tops of tabs so that

the circular tops are roughly at right angles.

Position and attach the backsides of tabs together.

18. Assemble your version of the berries accent,

including a base color that may "show thru"

as one of the berries, or by using three circles.

19. Position and attach the berries accent
assembly, rotating to align the outer curve
edges to match up.

20. Prepare the holly leaves shape by positioning
and attaching the contrast leaf halves to the
appropriate matched leaves.
Add some curl to each leaf by applying pressure
as it is passed over a rod tool such as this
spatula.

21. Insert the berry assembly tab through the

leaf assembly center slot . . . 

. . . then insert tab into the stem slot.

(Leave it un-glued so that it can be removed

to easily open the swirl top, if using as a gift box.)

Here is the completed Christmas pudding box.

Vintage Ornament Pull Tabs A7 Card

Re-purpose soup can pull tabs 

(or use the equivalent shape provided )

to embellish the center of this shaped ornament. 

Lacing holes through accent shapes allow them 

to be "stitched" into place (discretely glued first). 

Additional "stitching" punch holes allow 

for more embellishments . 

Underlay shapes allow for contrast options. 

Back card includes perforation fold line near top 

so that it can bend away to reveal 

sentiment space for optional inner writing shape. 

Top "loop" allows this card to actually be hung 

as an ornament, or just tie with ribbon.  

Card can fit into a 5x7 (A7) envelope. 

NOTE ABOUT SOUP CAN PULL TABS:
the tabs used for this design came from
Campbell's soups. Swanson and
other brands have equivalent tab shapes.
Compare the sample cut faux tab shape
if you have questions about fit to the stitch punches.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A main card front base
B card back base
C optional back middle reinforcement layer
D card front "silhouette" for assembly of shapes
E hanger collar
F top strata accent shape (with tiny accent circle)
G back "show thru" for F circle punches
H center strata for pull tabs lacing
I lower strata with embroidery punches
J back "show thru" for teardrops of I
K back "show thru" for dashes of I

2. Prepare the B back base by bending between

the lower and upper portions on the

perforation line.

If desired, position and attach the back

middle reinforcement layer (C) above

the perf line, matching cut edge as

exactly as possible. Then . . .

. . . position and attach the card base front (A)

over the back B & C assembly above

the perforation line ONLY.

3. Position and attach the K show thru shape

on the I backside so that cut edges that

should align do so as accurately as possible

and the K shape color shows thru the dash

accent windows.

4. If completing the embroidery on the

lower strata (I), thread a 20" to 22" length of

floss or twine (sample uses metallic silver)

onto a darning needle and anchor the tail

end with a small piece of cello tape on the

back side near one end.

5. Insert needle and floss through the end hole,

pull the floss carefully but completely through

to the front side.

Insert the needle into the next hole in the

succession of hole punches, and draw the

floss completely through to the back.

This is the first stitch.

6. Insert the needle from the back to the front

in the next open punch hole, pull floss through,

then insert into the next open hole front to back

and draw the floss to the backside.

This is the second stitch.

7. Continue in this fashion to complete

all the stitches across the shape until . . .

. . . there is a line of alternating stitches

and punch holes as shown here.

The floss should be exiting the last hole

on the backside.

8. Repeat the process going back toward the first

punch hole, inserting the needle and floss into

the alternate punch holes to complete

the line of stitching and fill in the "spaces"

remaining from the first pass.

9. The pass is complete when the final space
has been completed by a stitch and the floss
is existing toward the backside as shown here.

Clip the excess floss and tape the end
invisibly on the backside, similar to the manner
that the tail from the start was anchored.

10. Position and attach the contrast J shape

behind the lower shape to show thru the

tear drop window cuts, side edges aligned.

11. Position and attach the completed lower strata

shape over the assembly shape D with

edges that align matched as exactly 

as possible.

12. Prepare to position and glue-tack 

the pull tabs over the middle strata shape H

by studying this illustration to see how the

lacing holes can act as guides for the

positioning. NOTE that the holes roughly

line up at the tab edges and openings,

but may be partially covered by tabs.

Position the five tabs (begin with center tab)

and attach with quick grab glue such as

Fabri-Tack or hot melt glue.

13. Thread a 24" length of perle cotton, 

6-ply floss or twine (will be called "yarn")

onto a tapestry needle.

Anchor the end on the shape's backside with

a small piece of cello tape.

14. Insert the needle through the top end hole

and pull yarn through to front completely.

Insert the needle into the nearest hole so

that the yarn will cross the tab structure

and pull needle and yarn through to 

the backside. This is the first stitch.

15. Complete the second stitch by inserting
the needle from backside in the next hole across,
and pull yarn through completely.

Then insert the needle in the next closest hole

which will be slightly above the tab structure

to create a stitch that wraps over the structure

on a slight angle as shown here.

This is the second stitch.

16. Continue the process by inserting the needle

into the next hole which will be within the

next tab . . .

. . . then insert the needle into the previous

"down stitch" hole to complete the inverted V stitch.

17. Continue creating the inverted V stitch pairs

across the assembly to lace the top area of

tabs in place onto the shape.

Here is the completed top shape, including

the opposite end single stitch.

18. Move to the lower row of stitches to complete

a modified V stitch through the pair of end holes . . .

. . . then complete the row with similar stitches

to the top row, this time as upright V stitches.

The final end is a modified V stitch pair like

the first end.

19. With the yarn exiting through final hole

to backside of the work, trim excess leaving

a 3/4" tail, and anchor invisibly with a small

piece of cello tape.

20. Position and attach (use appropriate adhesive

matched to the weight) the middle strata

assembly onto the assembly silhouette,

fit snugly above the I shape.

21. Prepare the upper strata shape F by

positioning and attaching the contrast G

strip behind the lower row of punch holes.

22. Position and attach to the assembly

fit snugly above the H shape edge.

23. Position and attach the accent collar

shape.

Position the contrast punch circle into

the circle opening at center top of F.

25. Position and attach the card front
assembly onto the card base front A,
centered, with edges offset slightly.

26. Position and attach the message shape

centered on the inside surface of B.

If desired, us "print and cut" features to

include a printed sentiment.

27. Attach decorative lengths of

ribbon through the loop.