These finished boxes are so pretty, but they take some patience to create.

Origami Nesting Boxes How-To
1. Cut book-weight paper to 11 by 17 inches; load into color copier. Striped fabrics placed diagonally onto copier will work out vertically on box. To make the largest box at left (4 by 4 by 1 1/2 inches), cut 9 3/4-inch square for bottom and 7 1/4-inch square for lid.

2. Fold the corners of each square toward the center, using a bone folder or other thin blunt tool to make precise creases. Fold one side of the bottom 1 1/2 inches toward the center; crease and unfold. Repeat for other three sides. Do same for lid, folding each side in 1/2 inch.

3. At each corner of bottom and lid, fold diagonal crease that bisects the small square created by previous folds. Unfold the two opposite sides. Refold remaining two sides of square along crease so they stand upright and form two walls of box. Fold up third side, tucking diagonal corner folds inward against it; wrap third side over folds; lay in place. Repeat for fourth side. Glue points together at the center.

Get Out Your Ruler
Here are the numbers you need to make the boxes. Each box has four key dimensions. The first number is for the box bottom; the second for the box lid; the third for the fold of the box bottom; and the fourth for the fold of the box lid. Measure precisely, and follow the directions above. All measurements are in inches.

Box Size: 4 x 4 x 1 1/2
Key Dimensions: 9 7/8, 7 1/4, 1 1/2, 1/2

Box Size: 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 1 3/8
Key Dimensions: 9, 6 1/2, 1 3/8, 7/16

Box Size:3 1/4 x 3 1/4 x 1 1/4
Key Dimensions: 8 1/8, 5 13/16, 1 1/4, 6/16

Box Size: 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 x 1 1/8
Key Dimensions: 7 1/4, 5 1/8, 1 1/8, 5/16

Box Size: 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1
Key Dimensions: 6 3/8, 4 7/16, 1, 1/4

Box Size: 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 7/8
Key Dimensions: 5 7/16, 3 3/4, 7/8, 3/16

Box Size: 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 x 11/16
Key Dimensions: 4 7/16, 3 3/16, 3/4, 1/8