Round yellow paper lemon

What you'll need

• 100–120 gsm printer paper, scissors, ruler, paper glue and narrow clear tape. Let glue dry before continuing. Ask an adult for help with small parts and tools. Also prepare a little loosely crumpled tissue. Use small amounts so the equatorial rims close without trapping tissue.

Assembly overview

1. Choose A4 or US Letter. Print single-sided at 100% / Actual size, with Fit to page off. Measure the 50 mm test line. Colour the colouring version before cutting. Copy the part codes onto the white backs. 100–120 gsm printer paper, scissors, ruler, paper glue and narrow clear tape. Let glue dry before continuing. Ask an adult for help with small parts and tools. Also prepare a little loosely crumpled tissue. Use small amounts so the equatorial rims close without trapping tissue.
2. Cut from the separate full-size template PDF. Solid boundaries are cut lines. Dashed lines mark the specified folds or overlap limits. J is the printed glue face; keep each tab attached.
3. 1. Cut six bands and two caps: Cut L1–L6, B and T, one each. B is plain yellow; T has a tiny stem mark. Copy codes onto white backs. Do not measure dimensions from the photos. 2. Close each band separately: Glue the printed J face and cover it with the opposite plain end up to the dashed limit. Keep J inside. Curve smoothly, without adding vertical folds or teeth to the circular edges. 3. Check six separate rings: In order, the ring diameters are 12→36, 36→62, 62→72, 72→62, 62→36 and 36→12 mm. Fix each side overlap before joining rings together.
4. 4. Seal L1 with B: Fit plain B printed-side OUT over L1's 12 mm opening. Short clear tape bridges the cap edge to the ring. Support from inside through the open 36 mm mouth. 5. Join L1 and L2 at 36 mm: Butt the two 36 mm edges together; do not telescope them. Tape across the joint with short overlapping pieces. Support the inside through the 62 mm opening. 6. Add L3 to the lower half: Join the 62 mm edges of L2 and L3 in the same way. Finish every existing seam. The lower half is 35 mm high with a clean, OPEN 72 mm equator.
5. 7. Seal L6 with T: Work on the upper half upside down. Fit T over L6's 12 mm opening, stem mark OUTSIDE. Bridge the edge with tape; leave the 36 mm mouth open for support. 8. Join L6 and L5 at 36 mm: Keep the upper half upside down. Support inside and butt the matching 36 mm edges together. Tape the joint between rings, not the still-free 62 mm opening. 9. Add L4 and compare halves: Join L5 to L4 at 62 mm. Both mouths face up: inverted upper half on the left, lower half on the right. Each has THREE rings and TWO ring-to-ring seams; height 35 mm, opening 72 mm. Keep the rim clear.
6. 10. Lightly fill both halves: Put a little loose tissue inside each half. Even the highest tissue tip stays below the front rim. Keep both closing edges clean; do not pile tissue into or across the openings. 11. Align the equator: Turn the upper half stem-side up. Butt L3 and L4's 72 mm edges together without nesting. First tack four opposing positions with short clear tape, then continue around the seam. 12. Complete and inspect all seams: Finish the equator and every other circular seam with short, slightly overlapping tape. Each piece touches both sides. The finished lemon is about 72 × 70 mm, without a leaf, long pointed ends or a face.