BLOG 104

Back from a mainly wet and midge-infested Loch Lomond. It was a good 6-hour journey trailing a boat and, when you think about it rationally, it seems a long way to go for 4 nights. But we spent lots of quality time with our daughter and son-in-law, walking their dogs, sailing and sharing meals and so that more than made up for the journey and conditions. And if you adopt the mind-set ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’ and you dress accordingly, you can’t go wrong. It was a good mini-break and I feel really relaxed after it.

MEMORABILIA BOX Part 5 The lid

1 Position the lid lining onto the top of the box so that the padded side is on the inside. It should lie snugly on the top of the box. Glue the remaining part of the hinge firmly over the top and leave it to dry.

 

                          Lid lining and hinge

2 Once the lid lining has stuck firmly, stick the middle lid centrally on top, with the fabric side uppermost. Check that the mitre is in line with the corner of the lid lining.

 

                           Corner and mitre

Use pegs and a heavy book to hold the layers together until they are dry.

 

                           Pegs and weights

 3 Prepare a 4” tassel and stick it centrally onto the lid lining, on the side opposite the hinge.

SIMPLE TASSEL

Use 4 threads (any type or texture) that reflect the colours in the fabric. Fold an 8” strip of card in half.

  

 

                                     Threads

 Cut 12” lengths from the 4 threads. Put one to one side and use masking tape to stick the other 3 along the folded edge of the card. Wrap the rest of the threads around the card.

 

 

                             Threads on card

 Release the threads from the top edge and tie them together tightly, to draw all the threads together. Slide the scissors between the two layers of card at the other end and cut the threads.

 

                                    Tie and cut

Use the remaining length of thread to make the head of the tassel by wrapping it around all the threads, about ¾” from the top, and tying it tightly. Plait the threads at the top of the tassel and knot the ends so that they don’t unwind.

                                     Tassel

4 Put a pin at the centre point of the middle lid, on the side opposite the hinge. Stick the plaited threads of the tassel, to leave the tassel hanging over the edge.

 

                               Stick the tassel

 5 Prepare the lid top (see below) and stick it in place centrally over the middle lid. Hold it down with pegs initially, then place the box under heavy books and leave it overnight to dry completely. Use a few stitches to secure the plaited threads of the tassel right onto the edge of the lid to complete.

DECORATIVE TOP

 You could adapt a piece of embroidery or prepare something special in applique or patchwork to decorate the top, whatever you fancy really. Here’s an quick but effective idea for a decorative top.

 

                       Lining, borders and batting

Cut lining fabric and cotton batting pieces at 9” x 7”. Place the batting behind the fabric and sew on the borders, using outer fabric strips of 2 ½”. The batting must be behind the lining fabric only so as not to add bulk to the borders. Prepare a fabric initial with fusible and stick this in place. Decorate with fused motifs from the outer fabric. Secure them with stitches through the batting and add a date and decorative stitching to your liking. Stick the decorative top centrally onto the final piece of card and stick it onto the box top (see 5 above).  

 

                      Initial and fused motifs

 

                                  Stitchery

 

                               Completed box

Copyright Reminder: I hope some of you have enjoyed this project and may be tempted to have a go. Remember that these instructions are for your pleasure only. I don’t want anyone using them to write articles, run workshops or prepare box packs etc. It is amazing what gets back to me!