Angled Sides 3D Box

Simple “square” footprint belies the complex 

visual interest conveyed by this interesting container 

composed of lid and base. 

One-piece cut shapes are embellished with rounded

 corner offset accent shapes to mix and match. 

Create an alternate version by stacking scalloped circles 

for a platform – then add plain circle accent. 

Box is designed as companion container to act as 

pedestal for the “Box Swan 3D Tray” for 

a show-stopping ensemble for Twelve Days of Christmas 

giving (or other worthy occasion!). 

Box top or bottom panel measures approx. 2.25” square; 

center perimeter measures approx. 3.25” square; 

container height measures approx. 3.625”. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A lid main shape

B lid top accent square 

C lid large triangle accents (4)

D lid isosc triangle accents (4)

E lid inner reinforcement frame

F optional scalloped circle platform top (1 shown red)

and interior (2-3 shown beige)

G optional scalloped circle bottom with registration 

square window cut out

H base main shape

I base floor reinforcement square (2)

J base isosc triangle accents (4)

K base large triangle accents (3)

2. Prepare the main lid shape by bending back on

ALL perforations for square top panel, side triangle

panels, long tab flanges and short end tabs.

3. Position and attach the top square accent square

with narrow offset margin all around, centering it

within the square space defined by perforation lines.

Also position and attach the lid accent triangles

and isosceles triangles within their respective panels

as defines by perforation lines or cut edges.

4. Bend the side panels into position, one at a time,

to bring straight edge of one to overlap the adjacent

tab flange edge to perforation line, and glue in place.

5. Bend the short wall edges into position to

overlap straight edge across tab to perf line,

and glue in place.

6. Repeat steps 4-5 for remaining 3 seams

to complete the lid dome.

7. Prepare the lid interior reinforcement frame by

bending back the four edge flanges.

8. Apply adhesive to the outward surface of each

of the four flanges, then insert the frame into the lid

interior and . . . 

. . . push gently into position so that the perforation

crease fits snugly into the corners where angled

walls begin.

Insert fingertips to press the flanges against

the inside surface of the lid until each is secure.

9. Begin base assembly by bending on perforation lines

in manner similar to lid as shown in step 2. 

Stack and glue together the optional base bottom

reinforcement squares.

10. Position and attach the reinforcement square stack

onto the inside bottom panel, within the area

defined by the perforation lines.  Press the entire assembly 

under a heavy flat weight until glue dries.

11. Follow the second half of step 3 to position and attach
 the accent triangles onto their respective panels with 

narrow offset margins all around. 

NOTE that the base main shape has small 

semi-circle "bites" in the long flanges

as a means of identifying it as base.

12. Follow step 4-6 to join the long angled and short

end seams to complete the base dome.

13. To close the box, fit the lid rim over the base rim

and gently push together until the base rim

stops when it touches the lid's interior

reinforcement frame structure. NOTE that the two

components fit snugly together.

14. If desired, prepare the top platform by layering

the interior and top (whole) platform scalloped circle

shapes one by one, taking care to rotate for

precise scalloped edges alignment, until all

are attached in a stack.

15. Position and attach the bottom layer with

outer cut edges rotated for precise alignment.

Press the stack under a flat heavy object such as

a thick book (possibly with something else heavy

on top) until the glue is completely dry, to avoid

curling or warping of the glued-up stack.

(Drying may require hours or overnight.)

16. Position and attach the accent whole circle

if using exclusively with the angled sides box. 

Then . . . 

. . . apply glue to the underside of the platform assembly

within the square alignment area, then position on top

of the lid, with lid top panel fitting within square window.

(When the circles platform is used, the box's top square

accent shape can be eliminated.)

17. If pairing the angled sides box with the swan tray

for a combination project, replace the whole accent

circle with the triangle platform/circle assembly,

to position and attach it to scalloped circles stack.

Then, once the circle platform assembly is attached

to top of box's lid, position and attach the swan 

to the triangle riser, and proceed with embellishment

and other decoration . . .

. . . as can be seen here in this image of the decorated

swan and box ensemble.

Swan Figure Tray

Diminutive and elegant with triangle base, 

swan form and number 7 tag can represent 

the “Seven Swans Swimming” 

for Twelve Days of Christmas giving, 

or other gifting occasions. 

(Top view is shown here.)

Tray form can hold goodies as a favor box or 

place card holder. Design features mask accent overlays, 

double wing layers, extra side “tail feathers” inserts, 

slightly curved back panel that attaches to inside 

of side panel to form a tray. 

(Back view is shown here.)

Included in the file is a plain edge disc base, 

with triangle platform to provide a “riser” – a stage

around which embellishment feathers and purchased flowers 

can add additional flair - especially when placed atop 

the separate design “Box 3D Geometric Sides” 

as a combination container.

Swan measures approx. 3.75” long x 2.25” wide 

x 3.5” tall; base disc measures approx. 3.75” diam. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A main swan hull (sides, triangle base, 

back joined panels)

B & C left and right side under-lays for tail feathers

D & E left and right upper and lower wing overlays

F & G face mask accent overlays

H optional base interior reinforcement panel

I opt. disc to hold riser "stage"

J opt. riser "stage" boxing and triangle platform

2. Prepare the main hull shape by bending back

on all perforation lines for triangle panel, tail tabs,

and bending forward for lower neck and head

perforation lines.

3. Position and attach left and right interior "underlays"

for extra back tail feather details, taking care that . . .

. . . bottom-most tail feather edges align, AND that

the bottom straight edge aligns slightly above

the hull triangle perforation line, so that the hull can

properly bend into position.

If possible, place this assembly under a flat heavy

object such as a thick book while the panels

are being glued in place and glue allowed to dry.

4. Pre-bend the wing layers at front perf lines.

5. Position and attach each over wing on top of

each larger base wing, aligning the matched upper

cut edges where they correspond. Press under

flat weight until dried.

6. Position and attach the optional triangle base

reinforcement panel within perforation lines,

if desired - advisable if the swan will be used

as a container.

Also arrange the three large curl feathers so that

they overlap front to back (shortest over middle,

over front).

7. Carefully add some forward curl to the back tail

panel, taking care that the side tabs do not tear.

Use a rod tool such as this wooden dowel to

draw across the tail panel, as shown.

8. Locate the curved dash guide lines on the inside

face at tail end of underlays, bend sides and tail

panels into final "container" formation, then . . . 

. . . bend tabs inward and apply glue to the outward

surface of tabs. Position the tail behind the side panels

with the curve side edge matching the curve dash lines . . .

. . . then reach inside the mail hull compartment

to press the tabs in place to attach tail in position.

Repeat the positioning and attaching of tail edge

tabs for both sides.

NOTE that the top side tail "feather" extensions

should poke through the opening between largest

feather curls when in proper position.

9. Apply glue to backside of one swan head/neck area,

then press the two layers together with edges

aligned as precisely as possible, and hold/press

until fully attached.

10. Position and attach each wing assembly onto

appropriate swan side panel, matching upper cut 

edges and lining up the wing tip perforations with neck

perforation line.

11. Position and attach the face mask over

the corresponding lower portion of head and beak

of main hull.

Here is the completed swan tray.

12. Prepare the number tag (for use when using

the swan as a gift in the Twelve Days of Christmas

sequence) by laying and attaching the cut out number

on top of the tag base.

13. If the swan tray will be part of the combination 

project with swan atop round platform of

 "Box 3D Geometric Sides", consider preparing

the triangle platform to raise swan a bit and provide

a margin to attaching feathers or other embellishments.

Prepare the platform shape by bending back on

triangle attached edge, upper tabs, and short wall

perforations, and forward on bottom tab/flanges.

14. Form the walls of platform into a triangle frame

with end tab tucked under, and complete the short

side seam.

15. Bend the upper tabs inward, and the top

triangle panel down to adjust and arrange, attach

underside of platform to two flanges.

16. Align the circle with triangle cut out over the platform

then slide into position . . .

. . . and press triangle edges down completely to

rest at tabs perforations . . . 

. . . then bend tabs outward and glue in place

to underside of circle.

17.  Apply adhesive to platform top surface, then

position and attach the base panel of swan

on top - hold in place until secure.

17. Position the platform/triangle centered 

on top of the scalloped circle (shown here without swan

glued on top of platform) of the geometric box, 

and glue in place.

18. Apply adhesive to the top square panel of

geometric box, then position the layered scalloped

circle platform so that square cutout guide fits

precisely on top of the box top panel.

Here is the geometric box with scalloped circles

platform on top - shown with swan on platform

and decorated with no. 7 tag tied onto neck with twine,

and with white feather, paper roses, buds

and berries added as embellishments.