! Lynn B 's finishing instructions for cross stitch !

Halloween Pillow instructions - Part 2

2011-10-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

Here is the part 2 tutorial for the halloween pillow, part 1 is here

Unfortunately I did not have time to put together a tutorial for making the matching cord, I will do that in the next tutorial.

Materials required

Fabric glue

Cord for trim around pillow

Cut a couple of the stitches in the seam at the top centre of the pillow.

Tuck the edge of the cord into the seam.

Place a small amount of glue inside the seam next to the cord and run a small line of glue along the seam line upto the corner.

It is much easier to apply the glue in small sections.

Do not worry too much about spots of glue, it will dry clear.

Adhere the cord all the way around the pillow.

Put a small amount of glue on the end of the cord

Tuck this end into the seam

Place some glue just under the cord

Attach a charm using matching thread

There you have it, a pretty little halloween pillow.

Here is the glue I used.

If you wish, you can purchase the pattern for the Black Cat here

Enjoy!

Halloween Pillow - Part 1 of 2

2011-09-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Halloween is approaching so I thought I would show how to make this halloween pillow, this is the first part of the tutorial, the next tutorial shows how to attach cord trim here

The cross stitch cat is one of my latest designs and can be purchased using the add to cart button below. The PDF pattern can be sent via email and includes:

Cross stitch chart

Photo

DMC and Anchor thread listing

Beginner cross stitch instructions.

Skill level - beginner or advanced

Materials required to make the pillow - finished pillow size measuring 5.5" x 6"

Finished cross stitched design

Fabric for back of pillow about 6" x 7"

Fusible fleece

Polyester fibre fill

Needle and thread for stitching

Cut around the cross stitch design leaving about 1" around the border

Cut the fleece and the fabric to the size of the finished cross stitched piece

Place the fleece 'iron on' side down to the wrong side of the fabric

Press down with hot iron following manufacturers instructions

With wrong sides together pin the cross stitch design to the fabric

Stitch around the edge using a sewing machine or by hand, leaving a narrow seam allowance

and leaving an opening at the bottom to allow for stuffing with fibrefill.

Turn right side out and press, but ensure you place the cross stitch side down onto a thick towel

to prevent your cross stitches from being flattened.

Turn under the same size seam allowance on the opening as you used for the sides.

Fill with fibrefill, starting at the top left, right and then the middle, ensuring you fill

right into the corners.

The opening should now look like this.

Tie a small knot into the stitching thread and slip stitch the opening closed, ensuring you stitch

along the folded line as this gives a neat finish.

Your pillow should now look like this.

The second tutorial will show the finished cord trim around the edge, I will be posting that

tutorial within the next week in time for stitching this for halloween.

The fleece supports the fabric and gives a much neater finish.

The reverse side and side view.

I used 14 count aida, it is very easy to use and ideal for stitching as a pillow

because you can follow the line of the fabric when stitching, this helps you achieve a neat finish.

If you prefer you can frame the design in a hoop.

You can use any design to make this pillow but if you like this halloween cat design you can

purchase it here for $4.50 (about £2.99 depending on exchange rate )

I will email the PDF pattern within 48 hours, usually sooner.

If you would like to change the wording I can customise the pattern to your needs, just enter

upto two words in the box below. I have also designed this pattern with a different colour bow and collar, it does not need to be stitched as a halloween cat.

Enjoy your stitching!

Planning my next tutorial!

2011-09-06T01:51:00.000-07:00

I managed to sort out the problem with my other blog!

Hopefully I will soon get around to putting another tutorial on here soon, I am planning one, I have taken the photo's but I have just not had the chance to post about it yet.

My next tutorial will show how to make a cord to match your projects and I will be showing you one of my favourite finishes.

My third anniversary giveaway

2011-08-07T04:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, if you would like to enter my giveaway for my third blog anniversary please pop over to my cross stitch blog at Happiness is Cross Stitching here before 28th August 2011.

Happy stitching!

Two more box finishes from readers of my blog!

2011-07-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, two of my readers have sent me pictures of their box finishes after seeing my tutorials, first up is a lady from Stitching Madness blog here, this lady kindly sent me the photo but I do not know her name and I cannot leave a comment on her blog, however she has made this gorgeous box.

I think you will agree that this box is lovely and very cute!

Next up is this lovely box made by Ellie, you can see her blog here

Congratulations ladies on such a wonderful job!

I am working on my next tutorial to be published soon!

My giveaway on my cross stitch blog

2011-07-15T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I am having a giveaway on my cross stitch blog to celebrate over 1300 followers, if you would like to enter please click here.

Nasreens box finish

2011-06-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a lovely box? It was made by Nasreen from This and That blog after following my box tutorial, such a beautiful design and finish, I just love the oriental cross stitch and the colours that Nasreen chose.

If you would like to see the post and more pictures check out Nasreens blog here just scroll down the page and you will see more photos.

Congratulations Nasreen on a wonderful box finish!

If anyone else has made a box from my tutorial I would love to see it and post it on my blog here.

Another box finish.

2011-05-04T05:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, here is another of my box finishes, you can see how to make one similar in the post below, if you would like to see the contents pop over to my cross stitch blog here.

Happy stitching everyone!

Box making - Final part

2011-04-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, as promised here is the final part of my box making tutorial.

I did not have enough fabric to make it exactly the same as in the previous post because I did not have enough of the roses fabric left but I think it looks nice in the checked fabric.

If this is your first box making I need to give a little tip here, don't use checked fabric as it is a little fiddly to line up straight!

Continuing from last week in the previous post:

Place the finished box onto some card and measure 1cm over the edge of each of three sides, on the back of the box just line that up to the edge of the box, you do not need a 1 cm edge on this side. You should have three sides that extend by 1cm.

This is the back view of the box, cut a piece of card that extends 1cm at each side (the right and the left) and the height of the card should be the

height of the box, this will become clear in the next few photo's.

You should now have three pieces of card cut like this, leave a space of about 4mm or 5mm between the card, this is very important, if this space is not created the box will not close properly - I learnt from experience!

Lay the card onto fabric like this, leaving about 1cm to 1.5cm of fabric to overlap.

Draw a pencil line about 1cm inside the edge.

Place glue on this line, do not place the glue at the edge of the cardboard as it will show through on the finished box.

Cut the corners of the fabric.

Fold over the fabric and press down.

Try to make the corners as neat as possible because each of these corners will be seen on the finished box.

Your card and fabric should now look like this.

Place the box onto the card, lining up the back just a couple of millimetres away from the edge and check that everything is even.

Turn the box upside down and put the glue on like this.

Glue together and press down onto the base of the box to make sure it is glued down.

The hinge on the box should look like this.

Your box should now look like this.

I like to show lots of photo's!

I have gathered all of my stitched items ready to finish the box.

Cut a strip of material wide enough to turn under 1 cm on each edge, left and right, use ligtweight or medium weight iron on interfacing to fuse to the back of the fabric, this will support the fabric and add strength th the hinge.

Glue the reverse of the fabric and attach as shown.

Measure the inside of the box lid and cut out of lightweight cardboard a couple of millimetres smaller around each side, you can use cereal packets for this.

Place the cardboard onto fabric and cut the corners like this.

Glue the edge of the cardboard, fold over the fabric and attach to the box lid as shown.

You are now ready to line the inside of the box.

Cut pieces of thin cardboard slightly smaller than each side and cover with fabric, fold over at the top and the bottom but leave the sides to overlap at the corners - see next photo.

Glue to the inside of the box like this.

It is easier to cover the bottom inside of the box first, although I did this last it was a bit fiddly!

Put a thin line of glue around the inside edge of the box.

Use cord to trim the inside

Push the end of the cord inside the top of the box and place a little bit of glue just inside the hole.

Put a thin line of glue around the edge of the box and attach the cord, finish off at the other side in the same way

Your box should now look like this.

The reverse of the cross stitch can be laced or glued.

Attach the embroidery to the box with glue and trim with cord and a charm.

I designed and stitched this strawberry pin cushion to match the box, it is made from silk dupion and trimmed with little white Mill Hill beads and spider web roses.

I will eventually make a tutorial for the strawberry and show how to make the cord trim using DMC thread.

I would love to see your finished boxes and publish your photo's on this blog.

Enjoy!

How to make a covered box - Part One

2011-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I have been asked a number of times if I would do a tutorial for my covered boxes, I have finally managed to get around to it. In these instructions I show you how to make the first part, I will show the second part later, hopefully in the next week or two.

I thought it would be a nice idea to invite my readers to take part in a "Box Along" rather than a stitch along! If anyone decides to join me I will post pictures of your finished boxes on this blog, just send me your photos and I will put a link to your blog from here.

My first tip in making a box is to use some cheap material to practice because I have found my box making skills have improved on each box I have made.

Materials required.

Cutting mat to protect your work surfaces

2mm or 3mm thick card from your craft store. (If you live in England you can get it from Hobbycraft)

Fabric glue

Craft knife

Sandpaper to sand the edges of your cardboard.

Ruler

Fine pencil

Gummed paper preferably white to match your cardboard, I used brown but it does show through light fabric.

Choice of fabric - the amount depends on the size of your box, usually between 0.25metres to 0.5 metre of fabric should cover it.

Thread to make the cord trim - I used DMC.

The size of the box is your decision, I will show how to make the box and give you the tips that will apply to all of your box making no matter what the size. I usually make the contents of the box first, I measure around the largest item and base the measurements of the box around that. The box in the photo is the one I made for Hazel at Quietly Stitching Blog, unfortunately I made the mistake of not making the box quite big enough and I had to squeeze the pinkeep inside to fit, hence I have learned by my mistake, this next box was certainly large enough to fit everything inside!

Cut the base into a square shape - this one was 12cm x 12cm

Cut 2 sides - these measured 12cm long x 6cm deep

Use the sandpaper to smooth the edges of your cardboard.

Glue the edge of one of the sides and attach to base like this.

The next two pieces are 4mm smaller to fit between the gaps.

How did I arrive at that measurement?

I know my cardboard is 2mm thick so I cut the cardboard 4mm smaller to slot neatly in between the gap.

Put the last piece in to make the box - sorry I forgot to take a photo at that stage.

Now you need to use the gummed paper to secure the box, but please wait for the glue to dry.

The next photo shows the gummed paper I used.

Attach the short strips on each corner first.

And the long strips around each long edge, your box should now look like this.

Cut a strip of fabric long enough to overlap onto three sides, leaving the last side partially covered.

Your box should now look like this. Note the overlap at the top and the bottom of the box, about 1.5 cm.

At the base of the box cut each corner as shown.

Glue the box like this

Fold over the fabric onto the base of the box smoothing down the fabric neatly.

I did smooth this out to be nice and flat but forgot to take the photo.

Turn your attention to the top part of the box now and cut each corner as shown, this allows the corner to be neat when it is folded over. Glue around the inside edge of the box about 1cm from the edge and then fold over the small piece of fabric first followed by the other pieces.

Your box should now look like this!

Part one is now complete, I am hoping to finish these instructions over the next week or two.

I hope you find these instructions easy to follow, if anyone has any problems please leave a comment and I will reply as soon as possible.

I hope you will all join in with this box along and send me your photos when complete.

Enjoy!

How to make polymer clay roses and another giveaway!

2011-02-13T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, in this post I show how to make these simple red roses.

~~First is the giveaway, to enter you need to visit my cross stitch blog~~ ~~here, you can see more photos there too.~~

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

How to make the roses in the photo.

Materials required:

Polymer clay - I used fimo clay but any brand will do.

Long pins

Polymer clay varnish

Oven to bake the clay

Take a small piece of clay and roll into ball like this

Roll out long and thin like this

Press the clay flat with your fingers and place a pin in this position

Start to roll like this

Until it looks like this

Then squeeze the clay until the clay looks like this under the rose

It is now ready to bake in the oven according to manufacturers instructions

When the clay is baked leave to cool and varnish with clay varnish, leave to dry and you are done!

The giveaway below has now closed

Enjoy!

Free cupcake pattern for you!

2011-02-07T03:12:00.000-08:00

Click picture and click again to see full size image

Enjoy!

Tilda heart

2011-02-04T05:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I have recently been falling in love with Tilda dolls and all of the cute accessories that go with them, so I decided to make a tilda heart, my inspiration came from seeing all of the gorgeous tilda designs out there in blog land and I thought I would share my finishing instructions.

You can see the Tilda dolls here on this blog

Materials required

Paper to cut out loveheart shape - practice until you get the shape you require.A little tip, fold paper in half and draw half a heart on the fold so that both sides are the same when opened out.

Scissors

Embroidery thread

Fabric - I chose felt and small squares of cotton fabric, but you

can use any fabric you wish.

Lightweight interfacing for the floral squares

Ribbon trim and cord for hanging your heart.

Iron on the lightweight interfacing to the back of the squares, there is no need to fold the edges over because the stitching covers the edge.

Use two strands of embroidery threads to stitch the blanket stitch

Tip for neat blanket stitch

When putting the needle into the fabric hold the needle vertical.

Ensure the stitch is lined up with the previous stitch as this ensures you have a nice even row of stitching.

Now for the corners!

Hold the thread with your left hand keeping it out of the way and pierce the fabric in the same hole as the previous stitch

Trim any frayed pieces now

Line the needle up with the corner

Pull the needle through

at an angle like so, push the thread into place with your needle to enure it lays flat on the corner

Insert your needle again in the corner

Bring your needle out of the fabric like this

Turn the fabric away from you into this position as it makes it easier to lay the stitch in the correct position

Trim the frayed edges as you proceed

You are now in the correct poition to carry on stitching the straight edge!

Again, don't forget to insert the needle vertical.

I know this seems rather fussy but it really does make a difference to your finished projects

Your heart should now look like this

Lay the next square into position

and stitch as before

Lay the front heart over the back heart and start to stitch the blanket stitch at the right hand side.

Leave enough space open to stuff with filling

This is a fiddly part, try to hold the edges of the fabric as neat as you can and

stitch the opening closed.

Your Tilda heart should now look like this.

Trim with a pretty bow and attach cord or ribbon at the back for hanging your pretty little heart.

There you have it, a lovely heart for any time of the year!

My One World One Heart giveaway!

2011-01-31T00:58:00.000-08:00

~~Hi everyone, I have a giveaway on my cross stitch blog, if you would like to enter~~ http://www.happinessiscrossstitching.blogspot.com/

Giveaway now closed

I show how to make these labels in a tutorial on this blog.

Close up photo of the fabric used

Personalised labels for your projects

2011-01-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

How to make these personalised labels.

Materials needed.

Access to a computer and a printer.

White or cream cotton tape

Iron

Hard surface for ironing on ( I used a tile covered with an old pillowcase )

Transfer paper

Teabag to dye the white tape if desired.

Open a word document on your computer, type in the words you wish to use on your label.

I used size 12, 14 and 16 and you could possibly use 18 depending on the size of your tape.

You will need transfer paper, the one I used is for ink jet printers.

Place one sheet in your printer.

Set the printer page set up on mirror mage, this will print the words on the paper in reverse.

Cut the labels to size

You can use any white or cream 100% cotton tape.

Place the transfer paper onto the tape the correct side facing - you will need to follow the manufacturers instructions for the transfer paper.

You can see the letters are now facing the correct way

Peel away the transfer paper and you are done!

The top two labels were made by using the white tape dyed in tea. Just pop some of the tape into a bowl with a teabag inside, pour hot water over and leave for 10 minutes. Iron dry the tape and then iron on the words from the transfer paper.

Enjoy!

How to make a pretty little bow.

2011-01-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

Edited to add this photo

Hi everyone, Happy New Year to you!

Quite a few people have asked how I make these pretty little bows that I use on pin keeps and pillows, in fact they can be used to trim most cross stitch or sewing projects.

I used the same bow on this pin keep, all I did was put the pin through the top of the finished bow to give this effect.

You will need a length of ribbon, I won't say what size because that would depend how big you would like the bow to be.

Take one end and curl it on itself, I have used scissors so that my fingers don't get in the way!

Just follow the photographs!

Curl the ribbon back on itself

Keep curling the ribbon on itself until you get the desired amount of loops.

Put a pin through the middle to hold in place.

Cut two strands of ribbon for the bow

Pin in place

Stitch together with small stitches that do not show through.

I usually stitch my bows to my projects but you can glue them with fabric glue if you wish.

And there you have it, a pretty little bow for any of your projects.

You can use any size of ribbon, the result is always the same.

Happy bow making!

Hi everyone!

2010-11-03T03:21:00.000-07:00

Hello to all of my regular readers and my new followers, I just thought I would let you know that I have not forgotten about this blog, I have the builders in at the moment and the house is in quite a mess. It maybe some time before I can post something on this blog, but please be patient and I will make something worth waiting for! It could get to after Christmas before I have the time to put on a new project.

Some people have left comments but you have not left me an email address or blog for me to reply to?

Thanks for your patience and for all of the lovely comments.

I will be back soon, happy stitching!

Instructions for little oblong pillow in pink and blue

2010-05-09T01:40:00.000-07:00

Instructions for little oblong pillow

This set is designed by me, it is for personal use only, please respect my copyright - do not resell on Etsy or any other sales website

Materials

12cm x 5cm of 25 count dublin lugana linen or any other linen of your choice

I used 25 count and the pillow was about 10cm x 4cm when finished.

Material for reverse side of pillow

Lightweight interfacing for reverse side of crossed stitched piece

and reverse side of fabric.

DMC thread or thread of your choice

Polyester fibre fill

Fabric glue

Thread for stitching pillow together

Made with love tag or any charm

Stitch the free pattern available from my blog here

Iron the interfacing onto the reverse side of stitched linen and the reverse side of your backing fabric.

Sorry I forgot to take a photo of the backing fabric.

Put right sides together and stitch around the edge leaving a small seam line and

an opening at the bottom.

Stitch close to corners with a second line of stitching, this reinforces the corner and

allows you to cut close to the corner and reduce bulk.

Trim close to seam allowance

Turn through to right side

Use small scissors to push through the corners, being careful not to poke a hole through!

Your pillow should now look like this.

Press the stitching face down onto a towel to prevent your stitches from becoming too flat.

Your pillow is now ready for filling with polyester fibre fill

Make sure you fill into the corners, using your scissors if necessary to help with this.

Using one strand of sewing thread close the opening with slip stitches

Your pillow should now look like this

Attach the cord with fabric glue.

This cord is made from the DMC thread used for the stitching, I will

be showing how to do this in another post.

Use a very small amount of glue

Stitch a charm to the reverse side of the pillow

Enjoy!

Biscornu finishing instructions

2010-03-13T00:36:00.000-08:00

How to make this biscornu.

You will need:

Linen

DMC threads or any other threads of your choice

Lightweight interfacing

Fray check - if desired

Polyester stuffing

Swarovski crystal bead or any button or bead of your choice

More information regarding this biscornu can be found on my blog here

Use a slip stitch, ensuring you line up the centre carefully

You should have the same amount of straight stitches on each side

to match up perfectly, this ensures a perfectly shaped biscornu.

You are now ready to fill with stuffing, ensure you fill into the corners.

The biscornu is nearly finished and should now look like this.

You are now ready to put the finishing touches to your biscornu

Put a couple of stitches through the centre to pull the biscornu into shape

I attached the Swarovski crystal with fabric glue or you could use a small button

or charm.

I trimmed the other side with Swarovski crystals

Your biscornu is now finished!

Here is the matching pinkeep and box I made for a friend

Enjoy!

How to make my little love heart pillow.

2010-02-26T02:17:00.000-08:00

How to make the little love heart shaped pillow in the picture below

The pattern for the square love pillow can be obtained from my Etsy Store at

Lynn B's Country Cottage here

This set was designed by me, it is for personal use only, please do not resell my designs on Etsy or any other sales website - please respect my copyright.

You will need:

Red and white craft felt

DMC red and white thread

DMC green thread

Red ribbon for trim

Silver 'made with love' tag or any charm

Polyester filling

Cut out a 12cm square piece of red felt

Design your heart shape using paper first.

This heart measures 11cm from the base of the heart to the curve at the top,

it does not matter what size your heart is as long as you can fit the

word ' love' and the other hearts onto the felt.

Cut two large red hearts

Cut one white heart slightly smaller than the large red one

Cut one small red heart

Use two strands of thread for all of the stitching.

Stitch the little red heart to the white heart using blanket stitch

Now stitch the white heart to the red heart using blanket stitch

Stitch 'LOVE' in outline stitch

you can find a video here on the Needle N Thread blog.

I must admit I did not do mine exactly like the video shows but the

video shows the correct way to do it!

Now it is time to do the spider web roses, you can see how to

make these in my little tuffett pillow tutorial here

Stitch the leaves in green thread using lazy daisy stitch

Faby Reilly has a good tutorial on her blog here for the lazy daisy stitch.

The front piece of your heart should now look like this

Stitch the front heart to the remaining red heart shape piece for the back

using blanket stitch

Leave a gap for stuffing the pillow

Continue stitching the blanket stitch until the heart is closed.

Your heart is nearly complete, you are now ready to trim with red ribbon and attach

your charm.

Or you could always trim with matchng cord made from DMC thread.

I do not have a tutorial showing how to make the cord , but there will be one eventually!

Your heart is now finished.

Here is the same set in a different colour for Mother's Day.

Other information surrounding this project can be found on my blog here at

Happiness is cross stitching.

Enjoy!

A little tuffett pillow

2010-02-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

How to make this little tuffett pillow designed by me.

Materials required:

Linen - I used 25 count dublin lugana

DMC thread

Fabric

Lightweight interfacing

Fabric glue

Cord trim

Tiny swarovski crystal or button for the centre

Sewing thread

You may use this design for your own personal use, please do not make up for resale on Etsy or any other sales website - please respect my copyright.

Cut around any round object that is the size of pillow that you require

Fold pillow in half and tack stitch lines,

fold in half again stitching tacking lines until it looks like this

You are now ready to make the spider web roses

Thread the needle using one strand of DMC thread folded in half

and thread through the needle

This gives you a loop to thread through on the back of the pillow and holds the stitches in place

Stitch one stitch like this....

stitching into the centre make a five star stitch......

like this.

bring your needle up between two of the stitches and weave under

and over each of the stitches, going around in a circle

continue going under and over until the flower is formed

the spider web roses should now be positioned like this.....

stitch some little green vines and leaves using an outline stitch

and small chain stitches for the leaves

cut a circle of fabric the same size

iron light weight interfacing to the back of each piece

place the circular object on the interfaced side of the stitched

piece and draw around it - this will be your stitching guideline

Place the stitched piece and the fabric piece right sides together and

stitch by hand or machine along the pencil marks, leaving an

opening to fill with stuffing.

Trim within a few millimetres of the pencil line ( sorry I forgot to photograph this part )

Turn right side out and press with an iron

your opening should now look like this

stuff the pillow with a filling of your choice - I use polyester filling

slip stitch the opening closed - the glue is for attaching the cording later

Thread your needle using the loop method above - you should have two strands of thread,

stitch from the centre, taking the thread to the back and come up through the centre point,

space the stitches as shown in the photo. You will need plenty of thread on your needle for this step.

( sorry I forgot to photograph this step - if anyone has a problem please let me know)

you will need fabric glue and cord trim for the edge

If you click on the photo below you can see I have overstitched on the cording

at the edge to give it more definition.

Glue a small swarovski crystal to the centre on both sides

You should now have a lovely little tuffett pillow that would make a lovely gift, I designed and stitched

this set for a friends birthday.

I will be showing how to make the oblong pillow in my next post.

The bottle cap pincushion instructions can be found here and plenty of

inspiration for these little pin cushions can be found here

Covered box for cross stitch smalls.

2010-01-02T02:31:00.000-08:00

You will need:

A box

Fabric or cross stitched piece to cover the lid - in this project I used silk that had a paper backing on to allow it to go through the printer, you can buy this fabric over the internet.

I found a lovely vintage Christmas image from the Graphics Fairy Blog here and printed it on to the silk fabric.

Lining fabric for inside the box - I used silk dupion.

Mahogany wood paint/varnish and paint brush.

Wadding for padding the fabric on the lid.

Cardboard for mounting the fabric onto the lid - I used 2mm thick white card.

Thin card for lining the inside of the box.

Cotton thread or quilting thread for lacing.

Glue that is suitable for fabric or wood e.t.c

Trimming for decoration.

Place the cross stitched piece or printed fabric design face down and place the wadding and then the card on top, lace the fabric with strong cotton thread as shown in the picture.

I actually backed the silk with cotton fabric because the silk was very fine. Be careful not to pull the threads too tight or it will distort the fabric from the front, keep checking the front of your design whilst you are lacing the fabric onto the card.

Do the same across the other side so that it looks like

this and stitch down the corners neatly.

Again, remember not to pull the thread too tight or

your design will become distorted and uneven.

You are now ready to line the box as shown in the photo below.

Draw around the base of your box onto a thin piece of

card- I used a folder divider from a file.

Measure the edge of the box to cut off that amount

around the edge of the card so that it fits snuggly

inside the box.

This piece of card will be covered with your lining fabric,

in this project I used cream dupion silk.

Place the thin card face down but only place glue on

the edge of the card on the wrong side, do not put

glue on the side that will be visible as it may show

through the fabric.

Glue edge like this and trim coners.

Smooth some glue all over the card.

Your lining should now look like this.

Glue the lining on the inside top and bottom of your box.

Now you are ready to attach the top stitched or printed piece

to the top of your box.

Put glue on the laced side, paying particular attention

to the edges, but be careful not to put too much glue on the

edges as you do not want the glue oozing out at the sides.

Place the cross stitched or printed piece on the top of

the box and place some magazines on top to weight it down

to ensure it adheres fully to the lid.

This is where you can go and make a nice cup of tea

and put your feet up for half an hour or so!

And now for the fun part, gather yourself some nice trim to finish off.This is the most important part of the finishing and you must try not to rush it, as this can make or break the professional finish you are trying to achieve.Start to glue and attach the trim at the point where the join will be least visible, I started at the back of the box in the middle, however you could always put the join at the front and cover with swarovski crytals

or some other decoration.Bring the braid far enough up at the sides to cover where the top meets the box, you do not want a space that can be seen.

You should now have a lovely gift for yourself or someone special.

Enjoy!