How to Weave a Paper Storage Box

Recycle wrapping paper into a woven paper storage box.

A clever little woven paper box brightens your desktop while displaying your creativity. The box, made from recycled paper, is also functional and could serve as a handy storage container for paperclips, batteries or pencils. You could also use the woven paper box as a handmade gift box for a holiday ornament. Weaving strips of paper into a box shape is not as complicated as it sounds, and a storage box lid can be constructed by the same technique.

Things You'll Need

• 3 yards of recycled gift wrap paper
• Bone folder
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Paper clip
• White glue

Instructions

1. Cut 12 strips of gift wrap paper to measure 6 inches by 22 inches each.

   Fold each strip in half lengthwise, pressing the bone folder along the fold line to create a sharp edge. Repeat twice to create 12 strips of paper, eight layers thick.

2. Lay four strips on a flat surface next to each other lengthwise. Interweave four strips widthwise with the first strips in an over-and-under weave, creating a cross shape with a woven center.

3. Bend all 16 strip ends up, surrounding the woven center, at a right angle to the box bottom. Weave one of the remaining four strips in an over-and-under manner at a right angle from the woven box center bottom to begin the box sides.

4. Repeat with the remaining three strips, continuing up the sides of the box, holding the strips in place with paperclips if necessary.

5. Fold the top ends of the side strips down inside the woven box, and glue the strip ends in place with the white glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the storage box lid by the same method with a slightly looser weave and shorter side edges.

References

• "The Green Crafter"; Richela Fabian Morgan; Citadel Press; 2009
• "Origami Boxes"; Florence Temko; Tuttle Publishing; 2003