28. "Little Treasures" Gift Box

MATERIAL

2 8x8 squares of fabric (your choice of colors)
2 8x8 squares of fusible web
1 8x8 square pellon
straight pins
parchment paper or Teflon sheet
Iron & Ironing board
freezer paper
scissors
Rotary cutter (optional)
Fray Check
Sewing machine
embellishments of your choice

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Select 2 fabrics, 1 for the outside of your box and 1 for the lining, and cut an 8" x 8" square of each. You can use fabrics that you have altered with paint or dye, or select commercial fabrics.
2. Cut two 8" x 8" squares of fusible web and one 8" x 8" piece of Pellon.
3. Make a sandwich of the 5 pieces: first, put down the lining fabric, wrong side up, then add a piece of fusible web, then the Pellon, another piece of fusible web, and finally the fabric for the outside of your box, right-side up.
4. Place a piece of parchment paper or a Teflon sheet on your ironing board to protect it from the fusible web, put the fabric sandwich on top of it, and place another sheet of parchment on top of the sandwich to protect your iron. Following the directions for the fusible web, iron your fabric sandwich until all layers adhere. You will probably need to press one side and then flip the fabric sandwich over and press the other side.
5. Trace the pattern of the box onto the dull side of the freezer paper and cut it out.
6. Iron the freezer paper pattern (shiny side down) onto the fabric sandwich and cut out your box. Cut carefully - this step will make the difference between an elegant piece of art and a misshapen little box. (An 18mm rotary cutter may be helpful to cut the sides of each slit and embroidery scissors to cut the ends of the slits.)
7. Sew close to all of the raw edges, including the slits. (I found that a straight stitch caused less fraying than a zigzag stitch.)
8. Put Fray Check on the raw edges of the "knobs" at the top of the box because they get a lot of use and tend to fray.
9. If desired, use a foam brush to paint the edges of the box with fabric paint to cover any white from the Pellon or fusible web that may show. Using a metallic bronze, gold, or copper acrylic paint will give your box a "gilded" look.
10. Embellish, as desired. Create designs and interest with piping, bobbin work, Swarovski crystals, beads, braid, sequins, glitter paint, and more. Remember that whatever you sew on the front will show up on the lining.
11. To construct the box, pull the 2 swirl-shaped petals together. Holding them with one hand, bring one of the petals with a slit up and over the top of the swirl petals. Last, bring the other slit petal up and over the other three petals.

Source Quilting Arts Magazine

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