I’ve just finished making the fabric box for our wedding album, I’m chuffed to bits with it. I started making it last week, it’s covered in red silk, which is the same shade the bridesmaid dress and the waistcoats were. I’ve appliqued a crazy patchwork heart on the top and also inside the lid, this includes lace left over from my wedding dress. Inside is lined with ivory silk dupion. I’ve also made a tray in which to keep our guest book, special cards and wedding stationary.

I stitched the last section this afternoon, I bought some double satin ribbon for the tabs, it matches perfectly. I stitched the base onto the tray, it worked well stitching the lining in first, then the base on top. I was debating whether or not to add some dividers to the tray, but having put our guest book in it, the proportions were wrong to divide it, so it’s finished!

I’ve learnt a lot doing this project, made some mistakes (like forgetting to pad the inner tray sides!) but that’s part of the learning process! Jane Lemon’s book, ‘Embroidered Boxes’ is excellent, taking you through your own design step by step. If you fancy box making, I highly recommend buying this book.

I’ve learnt;

– how to use a curved needle, in the right situation they are great to use.

– a fixed blade knife, like a Stanley knife, will ruin your Orla cutting mat, I read too late the small print that only rotary blades can be used! I would have probably used it anyway, I still needed a cutting board, just have to treat myself to a new one!

– Box making is a bit like quilting, accurate cutting is everything!

     – it’s probably easier to make a box for a specific purpose, so there is a reason for every measurement.

– it worked really well to sew the lining to the sides of the tray first, then stitching the base last, it’s the only area I didn’t do what Jane Lemon instructed.

– doubling up the mdf board for the tray supports worked well, I’m confident the tray won’t slip down between the supports.

I started making the box on 6th February, so it’s taken me 11 days, at least a couple of hours every night. I’m really pleased with it, it makes a unique place to keep our wedding album.

Linking in with Linky Tuesday, Show and Tell Tuesday and Sew Darn Crafty