Spring Pretties
Create a home for your treasured accessories with this unique project that uses only two shades of DMC floss and a fine cotton yarn from Rainbow Gallery. Full cross stitches and backstitches mix with a sprinkling of seed beads for added texture, and easy-to-follow finishing instructions will have this project on display in no time. Skill Level: Easy Stitch Count
Lid: 35H x 53W Band: 15H x 65W
Design Size
Lid: 23/4" x 41/8" Band: 11/4" x 51/4" Note:
Band stitch count and design size widths represent only the repeating portion of the design. Finished project widths will vary based on the circumference of the container used.
Materials
• One each 9" x 10" (Lid) and 7" x (desired width + 6")* (Band) piece 25- count oatmeal evenweave from Fabric Flair
• One skein each DMC® or Sullivans®
USA six-strand embroidery floss • One card Rainbow Gallery Bravo
cotton yarn
• One package Mill Hill Seed Beads • Size 26 tapestry needle
• Beading needle
*Note: To find Band cutting width for container, measure circumference of container and add 6".
Instructions
For Lid, fold fabric in quarters to find center; work design from center outward. For Band, find center point of strip and start working design from center out to each side, repeating design as needed.
Cross stitch over two threads using one or two strands of floss as indicated in the color code.
Backstitch over two threads using one strand of floss.
Attach beads using two strands of matching floss and 1/2 cross stitch.
Finishing Materials & Instructions
• Oval galvanized metal container
#1500461 from Hobby Lobby*
• Two 4" x 6" pieces sturdy matboard • Two 5" X 7" pieces thin quilt batting • Complementary cotton fabric
• Scrap piece oatmeal evenweave fabric • 4" length round elastic or hair band • Twisted cording for Lid
• One 3/4" button with shaft
• Strong-hold craft glue • Drill (or hammer and nail) • Thread and needle
*Note: Dimensions of container used for sample at widest points and excluding handles are: height 35/8" x width 53/4" x length 37/8.
Press stitched pieces from reverse side, straightening as much as possible.
Band
Trim stitched Band to desired height plus an extra 1/4" on top and bottom edges. Fold under top and bottom raw edges 1/4" to the back and press. Place Band on container and fold under ends so that the folds just meet; pin in place and press. Trim folded-under fabric to 1/4". Join ends at folds and whipstitch together.
Pull Band onto container from the bottom and use a few small drops of glue to secure in place.
Lid
For top of Lid, trace the top of the container’s outer edge onto matboard and cut matboard on traced line. Place one piece of batting over matboard, folding excess batting to back and glue in place. Trim excess
batting as needed. Center stitched design over batting, folding excess fabric to back of matboard and glue in place. Allow glue to dry. Trim excess fabric as needed.
For bottom of Lid, cut a second matboard piece 1/2" smaller than first piece, then pad with batting and cover with cotton fabric in same manner. Optional: Add personalization if desired.
For Lid hinge, cut a 11/2" x 3" piece of evenweave fabric. Referring to photo, glue one 3" edge to wrong side of assembled top, centered on one long edge. Secure a loop of elastic or hair band to the opposite long side of top as shown.
With wrong sides facing, glue the top and bottom Lid pieces together. Allow glue to dry. When the Lid is placed on the container, the bottom matboard should sit inside the container. Trim edge with twisted cording.
Glue remaining 3" edge of hinge to the inside of container as shown.
Drill or use nail and hammer to create two small holes at front of container above Band as shown. Using needle and thread, attach button through holes.