Star Box variation - Make-Origami.com

This star box variation is made in the same way as the traditional origami star box. The only exception is that the points of the star are folded in. The result is a tidy looking container which can hold more than it looks.

The box itself is not hard to make, but there are a lot of steps. The good news is that many of the steps are repeats so, once you’ve mastered the folds on one side, the other side is the same.

Instructions for Star Box Variation

Step 1:

Start with a square sheet of paper with the colored-side facing up.

Fold and unfold in half along the diagonals in both directions to get an X crease mark.

Step 2:

Turn the paper over. Fold in half from left to right. Unfold.

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half top to bottom.

Step 4:

Push the left and right upper corners of the paper towards one another.

The top layer of paper will come towards you. Watch the movement of the red dot to see how it works.

Keep pushing the corners towards one another.

Swivel the flap of paper towards the right. There should be a similar flap of paper behind the model, swivel this one towards the left. The model will flatten out to a square shape a quarter of the size of the original paper. This form has a special name:

Step 5:

Work with the top layers of paper only: fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges of the paper towards the center to meet with the vertical crease line.

Step 6:

You will do the “squash fold”.
To do this, peel apart the two layers of paper.

Ease open the layers of paper more.

Squash the top part down. Align the crease with the edges of the paper so the paper is evenly distributed and not skewed to one side.

Step 7:

Repeat on the other side: peel open the two layers and squash the paper down.

This is how it should look like when both sides have been squashed. Turn the model over.

Step 8:

Repeat steps 5 and 6 on this side of the model. Start by folding the left-edge and right-edge of the paper towards the central midline.

Step 9:

Repeat the squash fold:
peel open the layers of paper.

Ease apart the papers more.

Squash down.

Step 10:

This step is like turning the pages of a book: swing the top-right flap of paper towards the left. At the same time, swing the back layer of paper (on the left side) towards the right.

Step 11:

Fold the bottom-left and bottom-right edges of the paper towards the vertical midline. It should fold along an existing crease.

Turn the model over.

Step 12:

Repeat step 11.

Step 13:

Fold the top section of the model down as shown.

Unfold. This section will be the base, or bottom, of the box.

Step 14a:

The next few steps will compress the flap so it is small enough to tuck away. First, fold up the pointy tip of the model up as shown.

Notice the place where the top-flap of paper intersects with the lower layer of paper (shown with red arrow).

Step 14b:

Fold the tip of the flap down again. Fold where the layers intersect (where red arrows are).

Step 14c:

Fold the very tip of the flap up. This section of paper is now small enough to tuck away.

Step 14d:

Fold this stacked section of paper behind so it is tucked under the lower layers of paper. To do this, reverse the fold (from valley to mountain fold) made in step 14b.

This is how the model will look like. You will need to do this a total of 4 times for the 4 sides of a box.

Step 15a:

Turn the model over and repeat steps 14 on this side. Fold pointy tip up.

Step 15b:

Fold the pointy tip down where the layers of paper intersect.

Step 15c:

Fold the very tip up so everything is stacked up and compressed.

Step 15d:

Finally, fold the stack of papers behind and under so it is tucked under the lower layers of paper.

You have completed two iterations – two more to go.

Step 16:

Like turning the pages of a book, swing the right flap towards the left and, on the bottom side of the model, swing one flap from the left towards the right.