PRETTY BOXES FROM RECYCLED FABRICS

       
         One of the greatest joys of staying home :) is being able to do the other  thing I truly love - CRAFTS! It is a real stress reliever and my creativity and imagination go to work. 

      For my first recycl-arts blog article, I am featuring this pretty, patched-up embroidered box. It can be used as jewelry box, or a gift box for just about anything which can fit in it. Cheap, brown, plain art boxes (you can find them in most arts and crafts stores!) which come in different shapes and sizes are prettily dressed up in recycled fabrics (used clothes and tailors' discards). The box container is wrapped neatly by gluing the selected fabric to it. Most fabrics can be used for this project although you will find that some are more workable than others. Another thing to look out for is to make sure that the fabric you choose is not too thick. Check that when both the box and the cover are wrapped in fabric, they will still fit to a close.  For finishing touches, I opted to use felt paper to cover the inside of the box.

         Working on the box cover is the fun part. With basic embroidery and sewing skills and a lot of imagination, you can turn it into a wonderful work of art. Experiment with different fabrics and work them out together in pretty patterns and colors. When you are satisfied with  a patchwork pattern, stitch them together. Then embellish with beads, ribbons, buttons and other recycled stuff that takes your fancy. A half inch foam beneath adds volume and dimension to the box cover. Make sure that the patchwork is carefully stretched over the foam and neatly folded and glued.

   

Since these boxes were crafted from way back, years before I learned to blog, these pictures do not show much details. I have given them away as gifts so there is no way I can take anymore pictures. But I hope to be able to re-blog on this showing a step-by-step instructional  procedure which I am sure will be more helpful and fun to follow through. For now, you can try to figure out the "how-to's" and enjoy putting your hands to work.       
        

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