Made like a
Yankee band box
Aunt Annie's Crafts
Oval Box with Lid
What you will make:
Make an oval box with a lid in a several sizes and depths. The technique used to make these boxes is based on the band boxes popular in the 19th century, and is well-suited to making boxes with curves, like this oval box. This is an elegant box that will complement that special gift. In fact, a well-made and decorated oval box is a gift unto itself.
Instructions are given at the end of this project for making the oval box in a size and shape of your choosing.
Read more about Yankee band boxes.
Here's what you need:
- Cardstock or cardboard (poster board and Bristol board work well)
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Scissors or craft knife
- Bone folder or empty ballpoint pen
- Ruler
- Optional: Decorative paper (wrapping, art, etc.), spray adhesive.
This project is rated AVERAGE to do.
How to Make Oval Band Box with Lid
Read all of the steps before starting.
- Step 1: Choose a Pattern and Print It
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Choose a box to make. Download and print the pattern. The smaller box patterns (3.5" by 2.6") include both the box bottom and top (lid). For the large box (4.75" by 3.5") there are separate patterns for the bottom and top of the box.
Make a lightweight box by printing directly on cardstock. For a stronger box, print on computer paper and trace or transfer the pattern to cardboard before proceeding.Follow the same instructions for both the box bottom and box top (lid).
Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.
- Step 2: Cut
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Cut around the box pattern pieces on the solid black lines. Try to make accurate cuts. The box will be stronger and fit together better if the cuts accurately follow the pattern pieces.
Using a straight edge and craft knife will make some of the cutting easier, but be sure to protect the table with a cutting mat or thick piece of cardboard. Caution: Be careful. Craft knives are sharp and should not be used by children.
Tip: The side strips for the larger box are in two pieces. You may find it easier to glue the strips together at this point rather than in Step 5.
- Step 3: Score
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With a ruler or straight edge, make a score line along the bottom of the tabs on the side strip(s).
To score: Turn the side strip pattern with the marked lines up. On cardstock, use the bone folder or empty ballpoint pen to make an indent, not a cut. If you are using light- to medium- weight cardboard or poster board, use a straight edge and a craft knife or scissors to make a half-cut.
- Step 4: Fold
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Fold the tabs over, then unfold to about a 90° angle. When using cardboard, fold back with the score on the outside of the box. With cardstock, fold the printed side in.
In preparation for gluing, bend the side strip around the oval cutout. Start the strip at a midpoint of a side. If the side strip is too long, adjust it by cutting a little from one end. If the side strip is too short, cut the box top down a little.
- Step 5: Glue
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Coat the inside of the glue tabs with a thin layer of white glue. Apply a band of glue around the perimeter of the oval cutout. Make the band of glue as wide as the depth of the tabs. Wrap the side strip(s) around the oval cutout, pressing the glue tabs firmly in place. Apply glue to both ends of the side strip overlap(s) and press together.
Tip: For a finished look, glue the other oval cutout on top to hide the tabs.
- Step 6: Make Box Lid
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Repeat steps 1 through 5 for the box lid. Glue the second lid oval onto the lid to cover the glue tabs.
You can cover the sides of the lid with decorative paper or ribbon prior to gluing the second oval cutout in place. Cut a strip of paper the same size as the side strip. Glue the decorative strip in place, aligning edges. Cut glue tabs on the other edge, fold and glue over existing tabs.
- Step 7: Decorate
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Decorate the box lid as you like. Nested ovals of contrasting paper or medallions are easy ways to embellish the lid. Use the insert patterns as a guide to cut the nested ovals.
About Yankee Band Boxes
The construction techniques used in this project were inspired by traditional Yankee band boxes. Yankee band boxes first appeared in the 1800s to store men's collar bands. The boxes were round, made of pasteboard or thin wood, and the edges were sewn on with an overcast stitch. The box was then lined with newspaper and covered with wallpaper.
Soon after the boxes' introduction, people realized that these boxes were versatile and could also be used for travel and storage. The popularity of Yankee band boxes peaked between 1820 and 1850, when they were available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Oval and round boxes were most popular and were often sold as nesting boxes. Make your own nesting boxes by constructing a series of oval or round boxes that decrease in size and fit inside one another.
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Make Your Own Oval Box with Lid (Band Box) Pattern
It's fun to design and make your own oval-shaped box and lid. The box requires an oval (or round) cutout and a notched side band. The same pieces are needed for the lid, but the cutout is slightly larger and the notched side strip is narrower.
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Draw
an oval (or circle) to size for the box bottom. You can draw the
patterns directly on the cardboard's reverse side, or draw it onto
paper and transfer to the cardboard. An easy way to make an oval
is to fold a sheet of paper in fourths and cut one-quarter of an
oval from one folded edge to the other. Open the paper to reveal the
oval. If any adjustments are needed, refold the paper and trim. Or,
use a graphics program on your computer to create oval patterns for
the box and lid. -
Determine the length required for the side band by wrapping a string around the edge of the oval cutout. Measure the length of the string and add about ¼" for overlap when gluing.
The side band is a simple rectangle with cut glue tabs. Draw the rectangle the calculated length by any height you choose, adding about ¼" for the glue tabs. Draw a line the length of the band ¼" in from one side. All along the same edge, make equally spaced marks about ¼" to ½" apart.
Repeat steps 1-3 for the lid. Make the shaped cutout for the lid about 1/16" to 1/8" bigger, depending on the thickness of the cardboard, and make the width of the side band about ¼" to ½" smaller.
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Follow the instructions in this project for assembling the box bottom and box lid.
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Before you start:
- Make a place to work.
- Read all of the directions.
- Gather everything you need to do the project.
- Think about the project. Imagine how it will look and what you will do with it.
Are you ready?
Okay, get started!!!
Enlarge
Tip: A strip of decorative paper can be glued over the
side strip. Striped paper, as in this example, works well.
Tip: Use rubber stamps and a watermark stamp pad to decorate the inside of dark colored boxes.
Tip: The Oval Box&Lid in orange pattern includes the choice of two lid tops and two decorative inserts.