How to weave a box of newspaper tubes?

Weaving from newspaper tubes is one of the types of applied art in which craftswomen create unique products from paper that have practically no external differences from the usual rattan weaving. In our article, we will give a master class on weaving a box from paper straw.

In order to create a box from paper tubes for storing various little things, you will need the following set of materials and working tools:

• paper - these can be old newspapers and magazines, advertising brochures of shops and even notebook sheets;
• wooden skewer or knitting needle - it is important that its thickness is approximately 1.5-2 mm;
• paper glue - it is best to take PVA or glue stick, in any case, the composition should be neutral in color;
• thin brush;
• simple pencil;
• ruler;
• sharpened scissors or a utility knife.

For to make a solid box, you also need to prepare the base, that is, the frame that you plan to braid. In addition, clothespins, paper clips or elastic bands will be used to fix paper straws, as well as tweezers - you will use them to grab small elements in case you cannot hook them with your hands.

To decorate the finished structure, you will need paints, varnish, beads, rhinestones, as well as ribbons, lace and fabric.

The creation of any box should begin with the manufacture of newspaper tubes. This is a simple matter, but it requires perseverance, scrupulousness and takes a lot of time. The work includes the following steps.

• The page of the old newspaper must be drawn into long strips directed horizontally so that their width is 9-10 cm. After that, using scissors or a clerical knife, the paper is cut along the drawn lines.
• A skewer or a wooden knitting needle is placed on the edge of the resulting paper strip, while the angle of inclination can be different - it largely depends on what kind of straw you end up with. The larger the angle, the longer, but at the same time the finished structure will be thinner. Conversely, the smaller the angle, the shorter but stiffer the workpiece will be.
• To create wicker items with your own hands, you will need both long and short tubes. The longest straws are usually used for weaving the walls of the box, and for the formation of the bottom and side racks, they are denser.
• Newsprint is wrapped tightly around a knitting needle. There is no need to glue the beginning of the tube - for maximum fixation, it will be quite enough to apply a little glue at the very end of the twisting.
• At the end of the work, the knitting needle is carefully removed from the straw.

Please note that the thickness of the workpiece in the upper and lower parts should differ slightly - on the one hand it will be thin and dense, on the other it will be wider and hollow. This is necessary so that you can easily increase the length of your tubes in the future. All you need to do is just drop a little glue inside the thickened side and fix the next workpiece in it with a thin edge.

After you prepare the required number of blanks, you can start creating the box itself.

There are several basic forms of a newspaper tube box: it can be square and round, rectangular and oval. Heart-shaped models are very popular, but their creation requires certain skills and skill in this technique.

The bottom is best done using the weaving technique. But if you do not have the necessary experience, then the bottom can always be made of paper. In this case, double cardboard is suitable, its inner part must be covered with a cloth or pasted over with paper of a suitable color.

If you plan to make the bottom wicker, then step by step all the work will look like this:

• for a start, a circle of the required diameter is cut out of thick cardboard;
• 16 tubes-rays are glued along the edges at an equal distance from each other so that they evenly diverge in different directions;
• 8 tubes should be laid out in pairs so that they intersect in the center in the form of a snowflake;
• a new workpiece is placed in the central part of your box - it is necessary to wrap pairs of rays around it in a circle, increasing the length as necessary;
• after 6-7 circles have been woven, the rays should be carefully separated from each other so that 16 pieces are obtained.

Then, just as at the very beginning of weaving, you should put another straw down and continue weaving in a circle using the "string" method. To do this, the first ray is entwined with newspaper tubes at the same time both from above and from below. Braiding the second ray, the position of the newspaper straw should be changed - the one that was below should braid the second ray from above and, accordingly, vice versa. According to this algorithm, all the work should be done further along the entire bottom.

When the diameter of the bottom corresponds exactly to the planned size, the working straws must be fixed with glue and fastened with clothespins. After waiting for complete drying, the working tubes are removed and cut off.

To continue weaving and make the walls, the rays should be raised up. If their length is not enough, it needs to be increased. As a result, the so-called racks should be obtained - they must be bent so that all 16 beams-racks are directed vertically upwards.

A new working straw is laid between the walls of the form and the handles, the same actions are repeated with the second stoic, weaving another tube. After that, weaving is continued with a "string" right up to the very top of the box. If you plan to make a product with a pattern, then multi-colored, pre-painted tubes should be woven in accordance with the developed color scheme. At the end of weaving, all the tubes should be carefully glued, and the unnecessary ends should be cut off.

To complete the braiding, the remaining uprights are carefully closed. To do this, the first ray starts up behind the second, after which the third is circled with the second, and this is how they work until the very end. If all the actions are performed correctly, then after bending all the rays, a hole is formed - you should carefully wrap the ends of the racks in it, fix it with glue on the inside and carefully cut it as close to the weaving as possible.

If you are weaving a square or rectangular box, then you will need 11 long tubes to form the bottom. They are laid out horizontally, moving away from each other at a distance of 2-2.5 cm, on the left you need to leave a little space for the sides. Weaving begins with two blanks at once in the "pigtail" way up, and then down. Thus, weave until the rectangle takes on the desired size. The walls of the box are made in the same way as in the manufacture of a round shape.

If you are not satisfied with the color of the newspaper, you can paint the finished box. To do this, use one of the following formulations:

• acrylic primer - it is mixed with a color scheme, this method of painting makes the straws more elastic and dense;
• water mixed with color - in this case, a little acrylic varnish must be added to the solution;
• fabric paint - it is diluted in hot water and a little vinegar and ordinary salt must be added, if you do not do this, your box will get your hands dirty;
• any food coloring, diluted in strict accordance with the instructions;
• water-based stain - in order to achieve the most uniform staining in this way, you should add a little primer to the stain;
• any water-based paints.

You can always decorate the boxes and cute boxes with a lid according to your tastes and preferences.

• If you wish, you can glue beads, lace and rhinestones, boxes decorated using the scrapbooking or decoupage technique look very stylish.

• In the finished product, you can store any small items of light weight - it can be accessories for creativity and needlework, as well as jewelry, hair clips, some small documents (checks and receipts). These boxes are usually made with partitions.

• Interesting boxes can be made for storing spices.

• Kids will surely like this unusual toy basket.

• Careful housewives can use an unusual product for storing dirty laundry.

• You can simply use such a box as a decorative element, having made it in such a way that it matches the style of your interior as much as possible.

How to weave a box of tubes, see the video.