How to Fold an Origami Box

These boxes are very useful for keeping junk, using as wrapping, or getting organized. You can use all kinds of paper materials to vary the look of your box.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A rectangle of paper 9" by 12" or similar ratio

1. Fold paper in half the long way. Unfold.
2. Fold the two long edges to the crease you just made.
3. Unfold the paper flat.
4. Fold the paper in half the short way. Unfold.
5. Fold the two short edges to the middle. Do not unfold.
6. Fold each corner in to the crease. Look at your paper and see that the two raw edges are in the middle. Three creases go across. Fold in each of the four corners to line up with the first crease that goes across- not all the way to the middle.
7. Strips of paper in the middle of the paper will not be covered by the corners. Fold the two strips of paper back to hold down the four corners.
8. Now you have finished all the folding and the next step is magic: put your hands behind the strips in the middle of the paper. Gently pull your hands away from each other.
9. Your junk box is complete. Make it boxier by sharpening the creases at the corners and the bottom of the box. Put things in it!

Tips & Warnings

• Make a covered box by following the same steps with a paper about 1/4" smaller than the first on each side. The first will be the lid and the second the bottom of the box.
• You can turn your box into a basket by stapling a rectangle strip onto the top of the box.