How to make a puzzle purse (Valentine letter)
Puzzle Purse (Valentine Letter): try all 15 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
A puzzle letter with four overlapping flaps, also called a Tato thread wrapper. Open the arms to reveal messages or hold small dry items.
- You need
- One square of thin paper, with optional pens for messages and decoration. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start white side up with an edge at the top. The main message belongs inside the middle square. Decorate the reverse after checking where the closed flaps will meet.
- Tips
- Keep the main message inside the middle square.
- Test the folds on plain paper before decorating the closed flaps.
- The recipient unfolds the arms in order, then opens the whole sheet.
- For a paper coaster, use a 9 × 9 in square of firm paper. The closed mat is one third of the starting width: 3 × 3 in. Use it beneath a dry cup.
Your model is ready
Your puzzle purse is closed. Decorate the four visible flaps and mark the first one to lift. Messages on the arms appear as they open; the full sheet reveals the message in the middle. The closed valentine purse, with its square face and four overlapping flaps toward you.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Crease the left third
Fold the left third across along the marked line, press, and open. Each section is one third of the square's width.
- 2
Crease the right third
Fold the right third across to the first crease, press, and open.
- 3
Crease the upper third
Fold the upper third down along the marked line, press, and open.
- 4
Crease the lower third
Fold the lower third up to the first horizontal crease, press, and open. There are now nine equal squares.
- 5
Crease a diagonal
Bring the bottom left corner to the top right corner, press, and open.
- 6
Crease the other diagonal
Bring the bottom right corner to the top left corner, press, and open.
Steps 7–12
- 7
Crease the upper side diagonal
Fold back along the marked diagonal, press, and open. The short diagonal in the upper side square is the guide for the twist.
- 8
Crease the right side diagonal
Fold back along the marked diagonal, press, and open. The short diagonal in the right side square is the guide for the twist.
- 9
Crease the lower side diagonal
Fold back along the marked diagonal, press, and open. The short diagonal in the lower side square is the guide for the twist.
- 10
Crease the left side diagonal
Fold back along the marked diagonal, press, and open. The short diagonal in the left side square is the guide for the twist.
- 11
Twist into a pinwheel
Keep the middle square flat. Lift its four sides and turn the outer paper along the diagonal guides until four pointed arms lie around the middle. Press the pinwheel flat.
- 12
Fold the bottom arm up
Fold the bottom arm up over the middle square.
Steps 13–15
- 13
Fold the right arm in
Fold the right arm left over the first arm.
- 14
Fold the top arm down
Fold the top arm down over the right arm.
- 15
Lock the last arm
Fold the left arm right. Lift the edge of the first arm and slip this last point under it, then press the wrapper flat.
- ✓
Finish
Your puzzle purse is closed. Decorate the four visible flaps and mark the first one to lift. Messages on the arms appear as they open; the full sheet reveals the message in the middle. The closed valentine purse, with its square face and four overlapping flaps toward you.
Fold next
Square letterfold ↗
The old diamond-shaped square letterfold, also used as a seed case, with a lip that holds the corner locks.
Three-cornered note ↗
The traditional cocked-hat note: a rectangular letter folded into a small triangular packet.
Love-knot letterfold ↗
An Origami Tutor letterfold with a closed pentagonal knot and two tails. Fold the note into a narrow band, cross one end and pass it through the loop.
Envelope ↗
A square-sheet envelope with overlapping side pockets and a triangular closing flap.