Designer of many tatting patterns. Simple method of beaded tatting. Flowers are my inspiration!

Thursday 23 January 2014

Old Xmas cards used up!

I learned to do this box back in the 1960's when I was a young teenager and have never forgotten the pattern. I have made it many times over the years and decided to give it another airing to use up my old Christmas cards. I noticed my neighbour and good friend did not have a decent work box and thought this would fit the bill perfectly.
I took it round this afternoon and she loves it! I also made a little felt pin cushion to get her started.


It is a six sided box. Each side is made separately with a backing card, a decorative card, a round of holes is punched and the whole is covered with polythene.....I then used a sparkly decorative thread to blanket stitch all around each side. The next step is to line each side and then to sew each side together with the same thread used for the blanket stitch. I make a hexagon base in exactly the same way and stitch it in place. The lid is a little different as it has to be made to fit one side as a hinge but overlap the other sides so that it doesn't fall in. I also pad the lid so that it can be used for pins and needles. If I am feeling adventurous I sometimes pad the sides as well, but it does take up some of the space inside. Last of all I make a little tassel as an opener.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic idea!
Stephanie

Madtatter80 said...

That is very cute and looks like shape is still in style still. I have a friend that uses Christmas cards to make very small jewelry boxes and folds them up, they are very sturdy too.

Madtatter80 said...

well I started thinking about what you said and I am over 50 and that makes you round 70ish and I worried about my eyes hope that I can see when I am 60. I so happy your health is great I hope I can do the same! :)

Karen said...

I like seeing this. My Grandma made my sis & me boxes like this without the lining. She crocheted the card pieces together and crocheted the card lid onto it. She used Christmas cards and red or green crochet thread. I kept my “treasures” in mine. I’ve often wished I still had mine so I could figure out how to make one with the cards we received and think of Grandma. Do you have a template for the pattern? Thank you for showing us and giving me sweet memories of Grandma. Karen in OR

Karen said...

I like seeing this. My Grandma made my sis & me boxes like this without the lining. She crocheted the card pieces together and crocheted the card lid onto it. She used Christmas cards and red or green crochet thread. I kept my “treasures” in mine. I’ve often wished I still had mine so I could figure out how to make one with the cards we received and think of Grandma. Do you have a template for the pattern? Thank you for showing us and giving me sweet memories of Grandma. Karen in OR

Toptattyhead said...

Well, madtatter80, not quite that old yet, LOL. I was 64 last November.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

That is an adorable box! Now I feel th urge to make paper boxes for all my tatting supplies! ;-)

Ladytats said...

Very clever!

Valerie said...

A great idea to reuse old Christmas cards, and a cool idea for a gift!

JB said...

Very pretty. I remember seeiing those boxes when I was young.

Margarets designer cards said...

What a clever idea to use up Christmas cards, done if the cards are so lovely it's a shame to throw them away. You have made her a beautiful box.
Margaret

muskaan said...

This is fantastically creative !!!
Not to mention useful, practical & green.

il mio chiacchierino said...

come stai? è da moòto tempo che non ti vedo in internet un abbaraccio