Needles 'n' Knowledge: Unicorn 3D Mug Container

Rolly poly little unicorn in mug form can serve

as a gift or treat container, or simply for theme decor.

Join 8 position-specific wedges to create the vessel,

then join to sturdy "feet" base. Design features

dimensional ears, 1.25" tall hexagon cone horn,

sliced rainbow arch on built-up handle,

plus a few other accent details.

Measures approx. 3.5" tall x 4.75" wide and

deep (not including handle, horn).

Coordinates with the "Dream Cloud Tag"

and other tag designs.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A hull wedges shapes 1 thru 8 (position specific)
B dimensional ears with inner ear accent (l and r)
C dimensional horn D hull inner cover
E hull interior reinforcement ring
F base support "foot" G hoof accents for base
H interior base support top octagon (slotted)
I interior base support strip (tabbed)
J handle top layers left & right
K handle interior layers for build up (7-8)
L handle rainbow stripe accents

2. (Start with handle layering for build up so

that it can be drying while other construction proceeds.)

Stack all interior handles and outer layers to "audition"

the TOTAL build up thickness, then adjust as needed

so that the finished measurement equals 1/8" thick.

3. NOTE the 'X' cut on the upper end of the build up shapes

and on the outer layer upper tabs. Layer and attach

the interior shapes, one on top of the previous, until

all are stacked, taking care to line up all outer cut edges

as precisely as possible.

Use a flat weight such as this muslin-covered
re-purposed free weight, or other flat, heavy object
to place on top of glued-up stack until the adhesive
is completely dried and no longer cool to the touch.
(This may require hours; consider completing
step 4 & 5 before pressing under weight.)

4. Bend the end tabs of the top handle layers

outward, then . . .

. . . layer the these on the corresponding

sides of the handle stacks, and glue in place.

(Press under flat weight until completely dried.)

5. Arrange and attach the rainbow slice accents

onto the outer handle layers, leaving a tiny

margin at the straighter end edges before

tab perforations where an allowance has been

designs in for handle insertion into hull slots.

(Press under flat weight until dried.)

6. Prepare all hull shapes by bending back on

all side, upper or lower tabs, flanges or panels.

Also bend back on horizontal perforation lines.

7. Identify and arrange hull shapes in assembly

order, referring to the cut file number order.

As reference, the center front wedge includes

the bottom octagon "ring" with horn slots toward

upper edge, with the ear slotted wedges on each

side of center wedge, and the center back wedge

that includes the pairs of vertical slots for

the handle tabs at the right end of the series,

to be placed opposite the center front wedge

when hull is completed.

This is the center front wedge with series of

three slots for horn tabs insertion later.

These are the ear slotted wedges
to be placed on each side of center front.

This is the center back wedge with handle slots.

8. Select wedge #1 and wedge #1

(to be working left to right across the series of

wedges as shown in the image at beginning

of step 7 above), and align the center segments

of each. Overlay the straight side edge of #2 over

the tab flange of #1 to perforation line,

adjust up/down so that horizontal perforation lines

are lined up as precisely as possible,

then glue edge to tab flange.

9. Bend wedges to adjust and align next lower segments'

straight edge over corresponding tab flange opposite,

and glue in place. Repeat for bottom segment, then . . .

. . . move upward to complete the top two segments
until the entire seam is joined.

10. Continue in the same manner to position
center segment of wedge #3 and attach,
then continue until all segments are attached
into one assembly, joining wedges 1-8.

11. Gently working against the "spring" of

the assembly to align and attach the final seam

to form the cup bowl shape, working in same

center, downward, then upward order as before.

12. Bend the bottom octagon ring base into position

to overlap bottom wedge flanges, then adjust

edges and flange perf lines to match up as precisely

as possible, and glue in place.

Reach fingertips inside bottom opening to apply
pressure and complete the joining.

NOTE: it may be helpful to adjust and attach

the back segment (opposite the pre-attached edge)

first, then work to adjust and attach the segments

in between on each side.

13. Prepare the "foot" base shape by bending back

slightly on all vertical end tab or segment-dividing

perf lines, bottom edge tabs or octagon ring.

Bend top cut-divided flanges forward slightly.

14. Form the shape into a ring to bring end straight edge
to overlap the opposite tab, adjust up and down
for alignment, then glue in place.

15. Bend the bottom tabs inward,

bend octagon ring into position, adjust and glue

edges along perforation lines of segments.

16. Prepare the inner base support strip shape

by bending back slightly on all segment perf lines

and end tab. Form the shape into a ring to

align and complete side seam.

17. Insert upper tabs into slots on the face of
the interior support octagon "lid" shape, then . . .

. . . bend tabs outward and glue in place on
octagon backside.

18. To hide the tab construction, position

and attach the matched-size (and hull colored)

octagon "cover" shape on top of interior support,

lining up outer edges exactly.

19. Fit base upper flanges into bottom opening

of hull, and push inward until hull edge aligns

with top flange perf lines, then . . .

. . . bend flanges outward to sides and glue in place

to the inner base surface, reaching fingers

into hull to apply pressure, with matching

press-against fingertips on the outside,

until all flanges are securely attached.

20. Insert the interior base support, strip inward,
into the hull opening . . .

. . . and into bottom recess, until octagon cover
edges line up with hull bottom perf line (centered),
then glue in place.

21. Position and attach the outer bottom cover

to conceal the base recess.

22. Prepare the "hoof" accent strips by bending

back on vertical perf lines.

Position the angled edges at the center of

base face on center front facet, as shown,

wrapping around octagon shape with perf lines

and bends lined up.

NOTE: if you would like the hoof accents

to extent all around the base, cut an extra set

of accents, then trim the back pair as needed

to cover the remaining sections of the base,

with angled ends lined up at center back panel.

23. Prepare the dimensional horn shape by

bending back on all wedge perforation lines.

Also bend tabs forward.

24. Form the horn into a tall narrow pyramid shape

to bring straight panel edge to overlap opposite

wedge flange perforation line, and glue seam.

NOTE it may be helpful to insert a narrow
tool inside the horn to provide a "press against"
surface while the seam is being joined.

25. Identify the top of the horn shape by
locating the blunt-cut tab.
(It is also the shortest portion of the horn.)

Insert the tabs into the horn slots on the center front

hull panel, then . . .

. . . bend the tabs outward and glue in place

on the inside hull surface.

26. Prepare the ear shape by bending on perforation lines,

as valley or mountain folds, following the diagram:

(indicated as working from the face of the shape)

Also bend the bottom tabs back.

Here is the shape pre-folded.

27. Bend the top panel down into position,

and wrap the end tab over the opposite side wall,

and glue in place.

NOTE it may be helpful during the glueing
process to insert a blade tool behind the tab
being attached as a press-against surface,
as well as wall seams in
following step.
28. Bend side panels back into position
and glue in place to inner panel walls.