Fold-up Box – Square peg in a Round Hole
Making a shape doesn’t always involve sewing or other attachment techniques. It can also be an ‘origami’ method of folding and threading tabs through holes to make a container. Once my brain figured out how it worked I drafted up my own original design, and had intended it to be made of heavy felt. I call this fold-up box; “Square Peg in a Round Hole”. It’s super simple with my free pattern.
The size of the box is determined by the walls and the tabs hold the ends together. I have drafted out the pattern.
Step 1:
Print the pattern. If too large for your printer,you can piece it together, or use one quarter of the pattern and flip it back and forth.
Step 2:
Lay out the pattern, (weigh it down or pin it). Cut along edges with straight edge and rotary cutter or with mat knife. Cut the curves in the round end tabs as well, being careful not to overcut.
Finish off all edges and square holes in tabs.
Step 3:
Fold sides in to overlap, bring middle tab up through the 2 curved slots, pull through until bottom is tight.
These boxes can be made of any material at all, as long as it doesn’t fray, and holds some shape. If you would like a longer box, add length. If you would like it wider, the pattern will have to be adjusted to move the side walls out and lengthen the tabs. You could play with enlarging or reducing the pattern as well.
It can work in any room, and purpose. They are quite fun! Need some felt? Get it here
Make many! Great as gift baskets as well.
Love these ideas Barb. I want to try and make the box. I just have to find the right material for it.!
Yes, I’m sure there is a supplier of felt near you! Etsy has suppliers of many craft supplies. Even a vinyl or leather can work. Think outside the ‘box’. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
Help!!!
When I click on the fold-up felt box pattern download button, nothing happens. I’d love to make it with my grandson!
Not sure what device you are using but a new page opens with the link. You can also access all the downloads from the top ‘Downloads’ menu. Happy making
Hi super cute basket. What are the square cut outs used for?
They are handle holes, but if you like you could omit the handles. Always be unique…
Hi! I really love this little basket/tote and I think it will be perfect for an upcoming project! I have some stiff felt that will be perfect for it but I’m curious, what type of felt did you use that we see in the photos? I love that it’s black on one side and grey on the other! Thank you for sharing your project patterns with us!
That felt is an automotive product that I found in a mill store. I find and then figure out what to do with it; easier than hunting! Good luck!
I love your projects.
May I ask what thickness felt you use for the fold-up box?
Do you know if I can stick 2 layers of felt together to achieve a thicker 2-tone felt? Where I am located I can only get the thin craft felt
All the best
I think you could double it up. I have even found some vinyl flooring that has a felt on the back. I’m always looking at the oddest places. I think the black/grey one is an automotive felt. Leather/vinyl could also work!
I like making containers. Your paper prototype looks like it is more rectangle then your final piece. Did you make the rectangle box? I would prefer a larger base. I am wondering how easy it would be to adapt the pattern..
Thank you for the idea.
Aloha
I like making containers. Your paper prototype looks like it is more rectangle than your final piece. Did you make the rectangle box? I would prefer a larger base. I am wondering how easy it would be to adapt the pattern..
Thank you for the idea.
If you look at the base it is slightly a rectangle. Once you understand the parts it is easy to adapt the pattern. Happy making… You can always play with the shape in paper first.