Needlework Economies: A Book of Mending and Making with Oddments and Scraps

by Unknown

Pretty boxes have a fascination for most girls. For handkerchiefs, gloves, and the ever-accumulating stock of collars and ribbons, there is no receptacle quite so handy as a box, and, of course, it should be pretty.

A Cross-stitch Design is worked on each side of the Box.

These are expensive to buy, however, and therefore the girl who wants one at little or no cost must make it herself. Moreover, the one you buy is not the only one of its kind, whereas the one you make can be.

The rose-box here illustrated has a little cross-stitch pattern worked on every side, and on the lid. This gives a very pretty and original effect. The designs are worked in pink and green “Star Sylko” on white Hardanger canvas, and the box is lined with pale blue.

To make this box, four pieces of thin cardboard 7 inches by 5½ inches are required for the lid and bottom of the box, four pieces 7 inches by 2½ inches for the sides, and four pieces 5½ inches by 2½ inches for the ends. In each case one piece of cardboard is covered with the lining material, and one piece with the canvas, both of which are cut a little larger than the cardboard. In the case of the canvas the cross-stitch design is, of course, worked on before the cardboard is covered.

Having covered all the pieces, proceed to sew them together in pairs—a canvas-covered piece to a lining-covered piece. Then seam the double pieces together to make up the box. This wants to be done carefully to be quite secure, and, at the same time, neat.

Before attaching the lid, the seams and edges are finished off. In the box illustrated this was done with No. 3 white “Star Sylko,” using three strands, and couching down at intervals with white cotton. This is continued down the corners of the box, and completely covers the seams.

The lid is next attached to the back of the top edge with over-sewing, which must be neat and yet strong. Finally, the lid is edged with No. 3 “Star Sylko” in the same way as the box, making a little loop at each corner, and a knot and ends at the back.

Diagrams for working the rosebud cross-stitch designs are given, though some other flower can be worked if preferred.