h1is012 ~ Mini U Hatbox
Workshop
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This is a contraption
I thought up for making exact folds on printies. The
clamps cost under $2 each at the hardware store. I
clamped a metal straight edge ruler against my work
table, My life is so much easier now! See the
tutorial for Ann's Tool Box, it's very helpful for
learning how to efficiently make Paper Minis. You
may see my
Tool Box
tutorial here.
Must have items for assembly:
- X-acto knife and fresh
blade
- Small detailing scissors
- Tweezers
- Metal straight edge ruler
- Small artist's paintbrush
- Small piece of aluminum
foil to use as "glue pot"
- Fast-grab, quick-dry
glue. Nicole sells a great one. White craft glue
takes too long to dry and is messy. Glue stick
will work, but becomes brittle and pops loose
after time.
- Clear fingernail polish
- desk lamp
- Cutting surface. I love
my self-heal Nicole cutting pad which cost me
under $10 on sale. You get a much better cut
than with cardboard and your blade will last so
much longer.
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1. Cut out the pieces of the
hatbox project. Use a blade tool to cut out the
notches at the base of the box and lid pieces.
If you are unsure of
yourself and want a practice piece first, merely
trace the unit on plain paper before cutting pieces.
Make a practice unit with the plain trace. |
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2. Cut slits in hat box lining.
Do for lid as well. |
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3. Cut holes for the handles. I
cut an X, then cut out each quadrant. There are a
total of eight holes to cut. If you elect to use a
little paper hole punch, wait until the end of
assembly. |
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4, Fold the tabs in a perfect
straight line. This is important for the neatness
appearance of your finished project. Do for lid and
bottom pieces |
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5. Fold the lining panels in a
perfect straight line. Do for lid and bottom pieces. |
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6. Fold lining down and roll box
piece tightly around cylinder like the handle of the
blade tool. This gets rid of sharp creases where the
little tabs meets. |
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7. Fold lining down and roll lid
piece tightly around cylinder. |
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8. Use detailing scissors, and
cut out circle items very carefully. Do all 4
circles. |
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9. Apply glue to side tab of the
box. |
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10. Press tab against inside
blank surface of box. line-up perfectly and press
tightly for a good bond. Allow to dry. |
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11. Repeat steps 9 and 10
for lid piece. |
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12. Apply glue to 1st lining
panel at side seam. Fold down as straight as
possible and press for a flat bond. Use tweezers and
pinch top edge for thin fold. Work your way around
box. |
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13. Repeat for lid piece. Note:
Handles holes have not been punched on the tutorial
box, because I am going to use a small hole puncher
when I'm done. |
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14. Here is how the hat box
should look at this point. Flatten tabs against
table surface for perfect 90 degree angle. |
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15. Place glue to tab at the back
side seam of box bottom. |
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2013 update: I
have found that putting the inner disc inside the
box and lid first works best. It gives the box a
nice round shape. Then following the steps below.
See step 22.
16. Line up edge of box bottom to
edge of tab. Kind of form box to perfect circle and
line up circle. Allow do dry before continuing. |
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17. Repeat step 16 on the box
lid. See step 18. |
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18. Here is how the lid should
line up. The label on the top should have the holes
lined up on either side. |
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19. Place a rim of glue to the
blank surface of the lid. Carefully work your way
around the rim adhering tabs to lid. You may want to
put glue on a short length and do this step in
stages. |
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20. Here is how it will look when
you are done. with step 19. |
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21. Repeat steps 19 and 20 for
the lid. |
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22. Next, size the lining for the
inner circles. If there is a gap on the lid, switch
with the bottom since that won't be seen. This gap
appears on occasion, and happens because of slight
variations in assembly and cutting. Once fitted, add
a little glue and press in place. |
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2013 Update:
These handle instructions are optional. If using the
100% silk handles please see the following bow
tutorial.
23. Prepare the handles. If you
have cording, saturate the ends with clear nail
polish and allow to dry. If you have ribbon handles,
tie a little bow in the center of length. Dab a
little clear nail polish to the underside of the bow
to hold bow. |
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24. If you are using a small
paper punch to make handle holes, now is the time to
do so. |
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25. If the ends are dry of the
cord, press one end into a point and knot other end.
Follow photo and proceed to thread handle. |
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26. Go in through outside of
hatbox lid for other side threading. |
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27. This photo may be a little
hard to see, but it shows how handle is threaded
through each hole. Adjust length to what you like
and knot the final end. Trim ends if necessary.
Make sure that the handle is long enough to be able
to remove lid!! |
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28. Here is how the hatbox looks
assembled. |
