Mabel's other stitching 2023

[rcperryls]

There is no doubt in my mind that your needles are delighted that they have such a beautiful "roof" over them, letting the world know to stay away because they belong to you.!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

More work on the box - I covered the five bits of external box that are needed first (so without the lid) using the lacing method, which is more time-consuming than the sticky-tape method but very effective. Then started ladder-stitching the first three bits together (short side, long side, bottom), and I do think my ladder stitching is getting neater! Also did a bit of stem stitching on the embroidery for the lid. The final picture shows the inner box sitting inside the half-made-up outer box - the other two sides are sewn on arounf the inner box, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get it in it's so tight-fitting!

[rcperryls]

I was going to ask how big the box would be, then saw you holding the one side. This is going to be really lovely.

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

It's fairly small - just as well as it's quite time-consuming enough
The short side is just enough to accommodate average spools of thread, and lengthways it will take a standard skein of DMC.

[Serinde]

Very impressive so far!

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've been attaching the outer box, which after three sides gets to be very hard work as your pushing the thing together! I'll post more about that later, but here is something many of youmay recognise - yes, its a cat hair....



I've also been working on the lid embroidery, trying to keep my stem stitch as regular as possible. I've decided to add a few touches of yellow, as it looks rather plain (and it will also make the box more "mine" ) - probably sort of shadowy lines in one strand

[Serinde]

You could do a "Mary Corbet" and put a tiny stitch of yellow in each of the lazy daisy stitches, too.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Yes, that's actually how the plan started out! And then i thought I might as well jazz up the letters too...

[Mabel Figworthy]

The outer box constructed around the inner box (tops not yet ladder-stitched together), and some yellow added to the embroidery for the top:

[fccs]

Wow! It’s fantastic!

[Serinde]

Much more vibrant!

[rcperryls]

I agree with both ladies. This is fantastic and vibrant!

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Started on a kit I got some time ago, oddly enough by the same designer who is the tutor on the box making course, Heather Lewis. This is mostly silk shading but with a goldwork stem, using a technique I hadn't tried before. But all the silk shading gets done first, so it'll be a while before I get to that . I'd done a bit of this petal at home a week or so ago but finished it this morning at our monthly Cake & Craft (in between trying to contact our techie guy because the lift wasn't working...)

[rcperryls]

That is soooo pretty! Can't wait to see more!

Carole

[wendywombat]

Wonderful colour shading.

BTW how on Earth did you concentrate enough at a craft meeting to stitch this???
I can only take simple knitting or stitching to my craft sessions. Sometimes don't even pick up the project if the conversation gets interesting!

[Mabel Figworthy]

I usually do bring something simpler, but I was really late, I'm the one who organises it so have to be there to set up, unlike normally there was another group using the building so I had to remember to bring milk and make sure people parked in the right place, and worrying about all this while running late I grabbed the first project I could lay my hands on

My original intention was to set up a little project on that very thick Vilene I used for the unicorn, to see if it would work as a child-friendly workshop....

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finished the false floor with tabs - here it is fitted in the box! (Just the lid to do now)

[rcperryls]

Carole

[Serinde]

Carole

[Mabel Figworthy]

Finished my box and I'm really pleased with the result. I can see all its imperfections, but it is the very first box I've ever made so I don't particularly mind , and I've learnt a lot in the process!