I searched high and low for the perfect embroidery work box. It needed to be just large enough to hold my embroidery hoop, scissors, threads, and needles, yet small enough not to take up half the sofa. Of course, I wanted an antique or vintage model. I found some I liked, but I didn't like their insane prices. So I decided to make my own.
I started by working a cross stitch pattern by Blackbird Designs.
Next, I gave a cheap wooden box from the craft store a coat of cranberry acrylic paint followed by a coat of dark Briwax.
Then I cut pieces of mat board to fit both the top and bottom of the inside.
And one for the top. I also cut four layers of batting and glued them to this mat.
I cut fabric two inches larger than the mat board and applied with fabric adhesive. I also made a pocket for the lid to hold my old-lady reading glasses.
Then I wrapped the stitched piece around the batting and mat, stitched it in place and just inserted it into the top frame of the box.
It is perfect for what I needed and didn't cost me a small fortune. I think I may even make a small needle keep to match.
10 comments:
What a great idea and it's lovely! I would love to make one for my daughter for next Christmas since she does beautiful X-stitch.
Cheryl
It's beautiful and it looks like a perfect condition antique. In a way, you've made a memory box. What a neat idea and very clever of you! Love your new armoire too.
Good job, somewhere in there you should make a label for your box so when it becomes an antique there will be the history of it's origin. It's beautiful.
That is gorgeous! Great job!
That's lovely. Until I read your post, I thought from the photo that you'd found a genuine antique from back in the days.
What a great idea, the box is so beautiful!!
Wow, that's impressive! And if the ones you found shopping were insanely expensive, I'll bet you could make and sell some if you were so inclined.
Your cross stitch is lovely!! I love your box finishing technique too. So much so, that today while I was staring at the white-painted trim work in my victorian house, I was wondering if a variation of your paint color/briwax would be a good faux finish for me. I tried to strip all my woodwork years ago, but found it was all mismatched species/finishes under the layers of paint.
I love this...I want to make one for myself. I am going to be watching for a box.
I must add that project to my TODO List for 2014. Thanks for the inspiration.
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