July 4 Number 3D Box Display

Dimensional numeral 4 is built as lid and base, 

then joined (enclosing a pellets or equiv. 

weight packet so it will stand upright). 

Accent shapes decorate the front, 

including divided front panel with "JULY" letters 

on the tall forward arm, and a trio of stars 

on the short back arm. 

A small punch-hole bracket on the lower panel helps hold 

the optional twine wrapping in place. 

Measures approx. 8.5" tall x 5" wide x 1.25" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes.
This layout shows the LID front,
overlay accent shapes
(including the "JULY" letters and stars),
the add-on tie tab shape, & the 4 boxing strips

This layout shows the BASE main shape

and the 4 boxing strips.

2. Prepare the accent lower shape by

bending the pop-up tie tab with punch hole forward,

also preparing the add-on tab by bending the rounded

"top" portion back in mirror image of the pop-up tab.

3. The two rounded ends with punch hole (to accept
the twine tie at end of assembly) will be placed
together back-to-back, EXCEPT the add-on tab
is first inserted upward from the underside of 
the accent shape, with the extension end being
attached to the underside to fill in the pop-up up
tab's opening.
Position the add-on tab as described, glue
rounded tips together with edges matched,
and glue the add-on extension to the underside
of accent shape.

4. Position and attach the upper and lower

accent shapes to the front panel,

noting that main accents are offset slightly

inside the panel edges.

Also insert and attach the JULY letter

shapes in the cutout openings,

and the stars in their corresponding openings.

5. Prepare the LID boxing strips by bending back

all attachment and rim tabs (long sides of strips)

and bending the cross perforation lines to

match the edge angles of the '4' shape.

One way to do this is to lay out the strips . . . 

. . . according to the symbol cutouts on

strip end or close-to-end so that they

are continuous . Shown here are

the LID (left) and the BASE (right)

showing the angle/corner where the strips

join up.

NOTE that the TOP tab includes a tiny 'T' cut

to identify it at the top tab.

6. Position and attach the LID top tab to the top
of the '4' shape.

7. Bend the next segment of the boxing strip

into position to align the perforation edge at

the edge of the '4' shape, and attach in place.

It may be helpful to invert the assembly onto a flat

surface and apply finger-tip pressure along the tab

and seam to achieve a secure attachment.

8. Bend the final strip segment into position and

attach in place.

9. NOTE the lower strip end that has been

attached includes a tiny triangle symbol cutout.

The matching symbol cutout will identify the
next strip and its end edge that will be attached
in place.

Overlap the straight end of strip 2 over the corresponding
end tab of strip 1 and attach.

10. Bend the strip to align the first segment with

the corresponding straight edge of the '4' shape,

and attach in place as with previous segments.

11. Locate and identify the end tab symbols
the show which strips should be joined
(refer to the illustrations at end of step 5),
then continue to position and attach strip segments
until . . . 

. . . the final long segment of final strip is ready

to position. At the same time as strip is positioned

and attached, also position and attach the final end tab,

aligned with the lead strip straight edge. 

12. Bend back the rim flanges and glue in place

to the backside/inside of the boxing strips.

13. Repeat the assembly process to position

and attach the BASE boxing strips to the reverse

'4' shape, matching symbols in similar fashion

to the LID.

14. Prepare a small plastic bag filled with 

"weighted stuffing material" such as the plastic

pellets used for the model to a size that will fit

into the BASE cavity near the 'leg' bottom as shown,

and insert into position. Secure with glue or tape.

15. Assemble (or close) the '4' box by placing

the LID over the BASE, then invert

and press flat to close.

Secure the LID and BASE box edges together

by easing the LID wall away from the BASE

to apply some quick grab adhesive between.

Then . . . 

. . . apply pressure to adjust the number form

to its actual shape, pressing side walls in

until they join appropriately.

16. Measure and cut the desired baker's twine

in a length that will wrap around the cross bar

of the '4' at least twice (three strands shown)

then thread the lead ends through the pop-up

tab. Wrap the twine around . . . 

. . . the cross bar, then knot the grouped ends

and tie a bow. Trim ends.

Here is the completed July 4 box.

Chunky 3d Star Assembly Guide

Build five simple star point boxes 

(open bottomed with glued-on cover), 

add overlay panels for "flag" stars & stripes configuration 

(or use whole point shape for all overlays), 

then "lace" the points together for a display star 

for a patriotic event or decor. 

Star measures approx. 10.5"  wide x 10" tall x 1.5" deep. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A star point boxing (side) right (5)
B star point boxing (side) left (5)
C star point front (5)   D interior support "tube" (5)
E star point back (5)
F star front accent shapes
(grouped to cut together as svg file opens to 
assist with cutting as "continuous" pattern;
see Step 12)

PREPARE 5 POINT UNITS

 (following steps 1-11)

2. Prepare the left and right boxing - or side panels -

of star point by bending side flange tabs back,

top or bottom tabs back, and bend at the middle

cross perforation line, as shown.

3. Join the left and right sections by overlapping

the plain top edge of the right strip over the top tab

perforation line of the left section, adjust and

glue seam.

4. Complete the bottom point seam in similar fashion

by overlapping the left bottom plain edge over

the right bottom tab to perforation line, adjust,

and glue seam.

5. Push the point boxing into relatively final shape,
with top flange tabs bent at right angles to walls,
and apply glue to the tabs. Take care to add glue
to the very tips of the points, especially top & bottom.

6. Position point front over the tabs, line up all

edges with side perforation corners, and glue in place.

Take care that lacing punch holes lines up - 

here and throughout the assembly.

NOTE: adjust the shape of the point boxing (sides)

by pushing sides inward or outward for a precise

match to the front point shape.

During the gluing process, turn the point face down
on flat surface, and insert fingertips pressure . . . 

. . . or tool pressure from along each tab to assist with
secure joining.

7. Prepare the interior support strip by bending

back on all perforation lines.

8. Shape the strip into a "tube" form to bring

the plain straight side edge to overlap the

opposite side tab to perf line, adjust top and

bottom so that edges match, and glue seam.

9. Apply adhesive to the wall corners, and to the

top cut edges . . .

. . . flatten the tube to fit into the point's 

back opening . . .

. . . insert completely until top is flush
with the backside of the point's front shape,
then . . .

. . . open tube into its roughly square form
with corners touching upper and lower
angled wall backsides.

Before glue grabs, adjust the position or

shape of the support "tube" to ensure

that the punched lacing holes will be

free from interference.

Lift the back tabs and apply a few dabs of

glue to back corners of support tube,

then replace tabs and apply pressure

to join to top of support.

(NOTE: Continue onto the next step

before glue dries completely.)

10. Position point back over the opening,

align edges with boxing perforation edges,

making adjustments to point shape as necessary

for precise match, and glue in place.

As part of the gluing process, it may be helpful
to insert a flat tool such as this spatula
behind the back point shape and the tab to which
it is attaching in order to apply finger pressure
from the outside, for a secure join all around.

11. Apply glue to the back shape "frame",

then position, adjust and attach the back cover shape.

12. Position and attach the accent shapes

to each point front.

If your design includes the stars & stripes coloration,

it may be helpful to place the points into their final

positions, then lay the accent shapes on top.

PATTERN MATCHING: To make the stripes panels

and/or the stars panels print patterns match up

as if cut "whole", leave the shapes from the cut file

grouped together with arranging on cutting mat

prior to cutting. Cut, then remove shapes carefully

in order to be able to position on the appropriate point.

Position and attach each accent front panel

onto assigned point box.

13. LACING: for inner holes, cut a 1 yard length of twine.
For outer holes, cut 1 1/2 yard length.
Anchor twine end (1.5-2 inch tail) on backside 
of first point box with temp tape such as masking tape.
Thread lead end onto a long darning needle or
4" doll needle (shown here).
Insert needle through inner end hole on back,
push through the interior of the box to exit
through corresponding hole on the front of box.
(NOTE this may be a patience-requiring process;
use the side wall hole punches to view & adjust the
needle point position so it can exit the opposite hole.)
Pull twine through completely.

14. Position second point box next to first.

Insert needle and twine through adjacent hole,

through interior and out the back at corresponding

hole.

15. Move to the closest back hole across the point
of second point, insert needle through to front,
and pull twine through completely.

As indicated by pointing finger, the stitch that
should be produced by the lacing travels perpendicular
 across the edges of the two touching point boxes.

16. Continue this stitch lacing around the inner
point holes to connect the remaining three points.
Un-tape lead end, tie off ends in a secure knot,
and trim ends short.

17. Secure the touching panels of all points

by applying quick-grab glue between, then

applying pressure until secure.

18. Repeat the lacing process to add the lacing

stitches at the outer pairs of holes.

Tie off on the back

Here is  the completed chunky star.