An ordinary dollar bill can not only be used for spending, but can also transformed into a delicate and practical craft. Come and learn how to make a dollar bill origami box and experience the fun of paper bill origami. No glue or scissors are needed, just a single bill, and by simply folding it, you will get a mini organizer box with its own attached lid. The lid is naturally connected to the box body, easy to open and close, both practical and ornamental.
If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 15 minutes
- Paper: A dollar bill
- Difficulty: Easy
- Designer: Teruyo Koyano
Material
Get a 1 dollar bill to create a cute origami cat. A slightly new and crisp bill would create a better effect.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Fold the bill in half horizontally, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the horizontal crease, then flip the bill from left to right.
Step 3
Create a mountain crease as the red dotted line shows.
Step 4
Create another mountain crease on the right side, then turn the bill over from back to front.
Step 5
Unfold the dollar completely.
Step 6
Fold the top and bottom edge’s right section to align with the horizontal creases you made in the previous step, then fold the top and bottom right corners diagonally to meet the center horizontal crease.
Step 7
Bring up the right corner along the crease indicated by the dotted line, then rotate the bill 90 degrees counterclockwise.
Step 8
Bring up the top section of the left and right edges, as well as the top triangle’s bottom edge, and then, fold down the top corner to secure the top edge.
Step 9
Create two valley creases indicated by the dotted lines, and flip the bill from left to right.
Step 10
Create a mountain crease shown by the red dotted line, and turn the bill over from left to right.
Step 11
Fold the bottom section of the left and right edges along the existing creases, and turn the bill over.
Step 12
Create a mountain crease shown by the red dotted line, then fold the bottom edge backward along this crease. Next, flip the bill from back to front.
Step 13
Fold the top left and right corners diagonally, and unfold them.
Step 14
Unfold the top layer.
Step 15
Make a valley crease indicated by the dotted line, crease it well, and unfold it.
Step 16
The same to the left side.
Step 17
Lift the two layers along the creases you made in the previous steps, then fold down the top edge and adjust it well to form one of the box’s edges.
Step 18
Rotate the dollar 180 degrees clockwise.
Step 19
Rotate the dollar 90 degrees from right to left, and create a valley crease indicated by the dotted line.
Step 20
Rotate it 180 degrees from left to right, and similarly, create a valley crease indicated by the dotted line on this side.
Step 21
Rotate the bill 90 degrees from right to left.
Step 22
Shape the lid’s left and right sides by mountain folding the two edges indicated by the red dotted lines, adjust them well, and put the lid on.
Step 23
Lift the lid.
Step 24
Rotate the box 90 degrees from left to right, make a mountain crease indicated by the red dotted line, and a valley crease indicated by the blue dotted line on the lid’s left side.
Step 25
Flip the box from right to left, and similarly, make a mountain crease indicated by the red dotted line, and a valley crease indicated by the blue dotted line on the lid’s right side.
Step 26
With the lid on again, it fits snugly to the bottom portion and can cover the entire box perfectly.
What’s Next
Whether you use it to store small jewelry, pins, candies, or as a chic gift box, this origami creation will bring warmth and surprise to your life.
Please check out our Origami Hinged Square Box, which, like the dollar bill origami box, also features a lid to help you store your items more effectively. A sticky note origami box may also be a good choice. You can easily fold a cute box by taking two sheets of note paper on your desk. The box body and the lid are made separately, allowing you to use different colors of paper for a nice matching effect.
Origami Hinged Square Box
Easy Sticky Note Origami Box
Now that you’ve completed this origami box, next, you can check out our other origami box ideas. Happy folding!
