little boxes

 I have been creating more little boxes. The first, another version of the one I created some time ago, the Foxy Loxy Boxy which now lives with darling daughter. The new box is the same construction technique and also utilised an embroidery from a past Sussex Stitchers workshop, many many moons ago; this time a little piece of blackwork which was finished at the time, but to which I have added a bit of gold just to give it a lift before putting it on the box top.

The box was lined with a toning red fabric (such a hard colour to photograph) 

and I was really pleased when I managed to get the pattern lined up on at least one side. The other three sides aren't bad, but not quite as happy as this one!

So, flushed with success, and given appropriate encouragement I thought I'd make another one. I had an old kit, picked up in a quilt show from a sales table I think, which included the pre cut cardboard and instructions to make a hexagonal box. It was a Dilys Fronks kit, and I have only just realised, having Googled the name, that I have admired her quilts at several quilt shows in the intervening years.

I thought this might be a quicker make, as glue was involved - none of that fiddly lacing of fabric onto inner and outer boards, but in fact it has probably taken just as long. First one glued the lining fabric to each of the sixteen rectangles of card for the sides, and the two hexagons for lid and base. Glue dried, the sides were stitched to the edges of base and lid, before flipping them up and stitching together to form the container. The lid top and bottom were then covered - more glue involved, before cutting two strips of fabric, turned in along the long edges, to be stitched around the "walls" of the top and the base. Sounds simple, and it was, but all that gluing, despite my being as careful and frugal with it as I could, meant that sometimes I was stitching through fabric firmly stuck to the card. Pliers were occasionally utilised. Fingers and shoulders got very tired. Several pairs of glasses were donned (sometimes together) and removed, and sometimes the stitching was so close to my face I nearly stitched my nose to the box! However, it is all done, and I am very happy with the result. I used a lovely Japanese style fabric for top and base

The inside is lined with oriental butterflies

Top and base match, but are not identical, and I'm very happy with the wisteria flowing down the side there.

The sides of the base are a rather nice deep red shot silk. It is repurposed from a shirt bought many years ago from a charity shop, just because I liked the fabric. Never worn, it feels new and is a much better colour than appears here.

I am particularly pleased with the gold thread, beads and sequins which I added to the fabric on the lid, they just lift it a little and give it a bit of sparkle.

It is destined as a Christmas present for my dear heart's daughter. I will pop some chocolates inside, tuck it into a repurposed shoe box and mark the parcel FRAGILE! I hope she likes it.

Foxy Loxy Boxy

It was darling daughter's 35th birthday last Wednesday. How on earth has she managed to get that grown up? I'm sure it's only a few years since she was this size!

We had a very enjoyable afternoon tea in a lovely café in Hastings. As one of her presents I had been hoping to finish this little box for her, and just about managed it in time. 

The little fox on the lid was begun during a beadwork tutorial that Steph did for Sussex Stitchers back in November 2019. There was finishing to be done for that to start with!

Then at our last meeting she gave us a morning tutorial in making little boxes - Steph is a woman of many talents. As I had the little fox, and had some foxy material from the quilt I made for our new arrival, I though this might be appropriate for my box.

As you can see, I managed to get the little foxes pretty well lined up, from bottom to lid, all around the box, much to my amazement. It was a slightly stretchy fabric in all directions, so a lot of pinning, re-pinning, pricked fingers and expletives deleted were involved. Fortunately no blood was transferred to the fabric.

I found the box construction really interesting from a technical point of view, and am eager to make another one (we have a second workshop in January). The hardest part was using the curved needle to attach inside to outside and lid to top. They work incredibly well for this task, and come highly recommended, in particular by Sarah Homfray, as you ca see in her excellent video tutorial on how to use them, but ohhhhhhh I found it difficult. The needle kept slipping and sliding in my fingers at critical moments and the point sometimes refused to pierce the fabric. At least when dropped on the floor they are easier to find than straight ones! Have you ever tried using them? Did they get your vote?

I'm please to say Jen was very happy with her gift, and the little pot of nice face cream and extra soft socks hidden inside. After all one shouldn't give an empty box as a gift should one?