Cowboy 3D Boot Box with Flat Panels

Decorative container in a larger scale has front and back 

panel assemblies which are attached to open-topped, 

tapered at the toe interior vessel. 

Decorative details include instep, heel and upper overlays, 

cuff and instep trim 

(embellished with 18 small eyelets or brads), 

double-layer pull loops at top edge, 

heel strap with double star accent, scalloped Concho button. 

Consider adding “giddyup” or “howdy” tag (separate designs) . 

Suitable for a gift box, western or patriotic display, 

or as part of table decor for a themed banquet.

 Measures approx. 7” wide x 9” tall x 1.75” deep when completed. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A front and back base shapes

B front & back main upper base with top rim shapes

C front & back insets with edge trim, heel shapes

D heel straps, star accent

E layered straps, scalloped buttons

F vessel box front

G vessel box back

H vessel front boxing strip

I vessel bottom boxing strip

(NOTE that this shape has been modified in the final

cut file to include a window cut out to allow

fingertip access)

NOT SHOWN: panel to cover window cutout

J vessel back boxing strip

2. Prepare to attach the top edge trim shape to

edge of upper accents by setting eyelets into punched

holes of trim. One good way to accomplish this is . . .

. . . to position and attach the punched trim at

top of the upper accent shape. Then . . .

. . . use an awl or similar sharp instrument to

punch holes through the upper shape, then

insert and set eyelets.

3. Repeat the process for the instep shapes to position

and attach trim at top edge, then . . .

. . . insert and set eyelets. NOTE that the center hole

is NOT for an eyelet, but for the heel strap accent.

4. With the trim in place, carefully bend back along

the three perforation lines to add a little shaping.

5. Add similar shaping to the front and back base

shapes at the three perforation lines in toe area.

6. Position and attach the heel shapes onto

both instep assemblies.

7. Temporarily "join" the instep and upper assemblies

along the shaped edge (for ease in positioning onto bases)

by placing short strips of cello tape under the edge of

one of the shapes, then . . .

. . . position the two shapes together with edges

abutted, front and back edges aligned to be

continuous.

8. Position and attach the accent front or back assembly

onto the coordinated front or back base shape,

taking care to align the upper strap alignment/brad

holes of each, with even offset margin along upper

curved edge and sides. The series of perforation lines 

should be aligned on top of each other.

(NOTE if using liquid adhesive for assembly of these

large shapes, it is recommended that the shapes

be pressed flat under an ensemble of heavy weights

until thoroughly dried to avoid warping or curling.

Dry adhesive such as double-stick tape is recommended.)

9. Position the boot strap with star over the assembly,

matching the hole punches at forward end,

and strip curved back edge to echo boot's heel curve.

Insert and attach decorative large brad through

layers at star/strap punch hole.

10. Prepare to assemble the boot straps by adding

back curl to the center only of each layer as shown,

using a rod tool such as this dowel or a round pencil shaft.

11. Apply glue/adhesive to underside of accent strap

then position, with offset margin all around,

over the strap base, taking care to align punch holes

as closely as curving of shape will allow.

12. Add the back bend to the vessel front and back

panels.

13. Bend the side tabs of boxing shapes back,

and also bend the cross perforation lines forward

or back, to match the corresponding edges of

the vessel base to which each will be attached.

14. Become familiar with the single and double notches

that are cut into end tabs to assist with assembly

in the correct order. Here, the single notch is shown

on the bottom tab of the front boxing, and also

on the nearest end tab of the bottom boxing to

indicate that these ends will be joined during assembly.

Here, the double notch is shown

on the bottom tab of the back boxing bottom tab, 

and also on the nearest end tab of the bottom boxing to

indicate that these ends will be joined during assembly.

15. Position the front boxing strip next to the corresponding

front edge of the (whole) vessel front panel and

check for correct bends of boxing segments.

(This can also be done with the other strips.)

Apply adhesive to the underside of tabs, then . . .

. . . slide the front panel edge in place, overlapping the flange

(NOTE boxing flanges are on the OUTSIDE of base shape 

which is shown face down in this photo),

matching top edges and also edge angles with

perforation bends, and attach in place.

Working quickly, apply pressure to the edge from

backside as shown, then . . .

. . . continue to position the next edge segments

along corresponding boxing tabs. 

Adjust if needed,

and apply fingertip pressure to secure in place.

16. Position and attach the bottom boxing front end

(single notch) straight edge along perforation line

of front boxing tab. Then . . .

. . . bend segments to match, position and attach

boxing to base's corresponding edge.

17. Repeat Step 16 for the final boxing (back) strip

to join with straight bottom edge overlapping

corresponding flange to perf line, then . . .

. . . bend into position to attach in place.

18. Position the vessel back panel with cut out holes

for finger access into place with edges under

corresponding boxing edge flanges.

BEGIN ATTACHING AT TOE END for easier access

to secure edges to tabs and apply fingertip pressure.

Use the window cut outs in panel and in bottom "sole" 

boxing segment.

NOTE it may also be helpful to use a thin, narrow tool

such as this acrylic ruler to insert into toe to assist

in completing the seams.

19. Continue to work around lower, back and front

panel edges to secure boxing tabs to panel edges.

Allow to dry completely.

20. Position and attach front accent panel assembly

to vessel front, using strap hole as alignment guide . . .

. . . and also matching bottom of accent base at

instep and at heel to vessel bottom edges,

and secure in place.

Repeat for the back accent panel assembly to

back of vessel.

21. Position a boot strap assembly wrapped around

the boot upper edges, and with punch holes of all

layers aligned, and glue in place. Insert and attach

a decorative brad. Repeat for second side and strap.

22. Complete the finishing accents to boot as desired,

including the scalloped button (with tied twine) attached

on top of brad or in place of brad at strap end,

and "howdy" or "giddyup" tags (separate design).

Here is the completed boot front without tag.

3d Cowboy Boot Papercraft Tutorial

Create this fun dimensional papercraft cowboy boot

to sit on a shelf, fill as a picnic wares paper-weight,

stuff with cello-bagged or bandanna-wrapped frontier-style candy,

or as a place card at a family barn raising banquet.

Finished size (original) is 6.5" tall.

Available from SnapDragon Snippets

in the Silhouette America on-line store.
Designed by Jodi G. Warner.

For understanding in identifying pieces, the parts of the boot will be identified as (top to bottom):

UPPER CYLINDER with rim trim, side strips and fold-over tabs, side decoration shapes

UPPER with right and left sides, center front, upper heel and sole pieces

SOLE with additional four sole shapes

HEEL BOX

Here are the cut pieces required to construct the boot. For the model shown, four values of brown card stock were used.

DARKEST: heel box, 2 of the extra sole pieces

MEDIUM  DARK: upper right and left sides, heel, center from, rim trim, side strips and tabs, decoration base shape

LIGHTEST: cylinder front and back, 'R' sole and 2 of the extra sole pieces, decoration top shapes.

CONTRAST for cutout liner on center front (not shown in this layout of pieces)

Locate UPPER heel shape. Fold all perforations as "inward" or valley folds. Apply glue to the triangle gusset tabs. 

Align adjoining straight edge at gusset perforation line and hold until glue is secure.

 Locate and fold UPPER left and right sides ('R' symbol) on perforations: tabs and center lines are mountain folds; 2 front-most are valley folds.

Attach back tabs of side pieces to heel side edges.

Locate UPPER center front piece and contrast liner. Glue liner to backside behind cut out section. 

NOTE that the narrow part is the boot toe tip, and the wider part is the top opening part. Fold perforations: top-most as valley fold; all others as mountain folds.

Align and glue each center front edge to corresponding tab on the front edge of appropriate UPPER side. This image shows the right side being attached.

Complete one side (right side shown - see the small 'R' symbol near thumb), then complete the opposite side in the same fashion. 

Locate the 'R' sole piece. Fold widest perforation as mountain, narrowest as valley folds.

Compare the sole piece to the opening and edge tabs. NOTE the 'R' symbol of both pieces match up.

Begin at the heel end to align and attach tab to end edge. Continue to glue, align and attach along each side toward the toe area, working in pairs of edges to assist with the alignment process.

 As progress reaches the toe area, it may be necessary to "flex" or squash the upper portion to allow the sole and tab edges to align.  This is the most difficult part of the assembly, and may require extra time and re-positioning to achieve desired result.

Once the edges are aligned and glue is applied, hold in place until the glue grabs, then .... (see next image)

..... rotate and apply pressure between front and back to help secure the glued edges.

To provide strength and give the sole area some depth and thickness, four more sole shapes are glued in place. The model uses alternating colors of brown cardstock.

Fold each sole shape on perforations as was done with the upper sole piece. Apply generous glue, especially at the edges. Attach one by one, holding and applying "flat" pressure until thoroughly secure.

Locate the HEEL BOX piece, then fold all perforations as mountain folds. NOTE the 'R' symbol. This face of the completed shape will attach to the bottom of the bottom-most sole piece.

Fold and align the side edges with the boxing tabs, then glue in place one by one.

Continue working in the same fashion to complete the gluing of the opposite side.

 For the final side, apply glue, then tuck the long and two short end tabs into the box. Apply pressure until glue is secure.

Apply liberal amount of glue, especially at edges, to 'R' face of heel box. Align at heel end of sole and hold in place with pressure until glue is secure.

Locate CYLINDER front and back pieces (BACK piece includes tiny square symbol cutout on tab upper end which will end up on the Right side of boot, and star cutout at bottom). DO NOT FOLD on tab perforations. Fold all other perforation lines as mountain folds.

Apply glue to tab, overlap corresponding edge of other cylinder and apply pressure along edge as glue gets secured.

Repeat the seam gluing process for opposite tab and side.

Locate rim trim pieces, and fold all perforations as mountain folds. NOTE that FRONT trim will overlap back trim piece.

Apply glue to BACK, align with upper edge and side seams, and affix. Repeat for FRONT.

Glue side strips in place, matching the right strip (star cutout) to right side, etc., and aligning hole punches.

Fold tabs at perforation, then adjust if necessary so that hole punches align. Apply glue to inner surface of back half (straight-cut end), then position on inside of boot with punch holes aligned. Fold rounded end over to outside of boot, align punch hole, then insert and affix decorative brad.

Dry fit the cylinder inside the "shoe" assembly, with the star cutout on the right side of boot. Rotate cylinder to align center and back perforation pairs, and push cylinder fully into shoe. Most of perforations should align also.

Separate parts, then apply liberal glue to inside rim area of "shoe". Re-insert cylinder and apply pressure to all edges (especially center front and back) until glue is secure.

Glue side decoration layers, fold on perforations, then align and glue in place on front half of right and left boot sides.

And the dimensional boot is completed!