With all the hard work that goes into our stitching and projects, when you get to the finish line it is usually a wonderful feeling…… but how many of you have the other feeling of ….
Well what do I do with it now?
I have to confess I have this thought with most of the smaller projects I complete. With a full coverage piece it always make sense to me that it is something that I give a bath and send off to the framer to have them make the final piece come alive. So when I have turned my hand to other smaller pieces and now with the completion of my first finished piece of Hardanger the question was “what do I do with it now” and “how do I display such a piece”. I googled and searched for finishing Hardanger, of course unless I want to have a doily on the table, the only other option was a cushion or frame, which I have to be honest just wasn’t what was hitting the spot for me for this piece.
Of course the the community came to the rescue with suggestions and ideas, which I add, came thick and fast, then there was the decision making of what fabric to use to turn the stitching into something wonderful……. of course I go round and round in circles!
With such a small piece, the decision of how I wanted to finish this piece was becoming a problem and didn’t know where to start.
As if by magic I receive a wonderful comment from the designer herself Lynda Bodkin from Loopylou Designs. With the suggestion of turning the piece into the top of a padded box. Of course I thought what a great idea! I can buy a box and then put my stitching on the top.
I went straight to the website and nearly fell over myself at the gorgeous padded boxes that are displayed on the site – All beautifully padded.
As a designer Lynda knows just how these pieces come to life with the finishing
Lynda was extremely helpful with how to make the box. There is also a link to www.the needleworkshop.co.uk which also for a small fee you can purchase the full instructions to create a number of different shape and sizes of boxes for your needs.
With that there was nothing more to do than to order some mount board, select some material, PVA glue and some KO thread, get a cup of coffee at the ready with my instructions and give this box making a go.
I cannot stress enough just how much easier this is to do that it looks!
The Stitching 
Even made a tassle 
Ladder stitching 
Love the effect of the fabric 
Displays the stitching perfectly 
Inside padded 
fully lined and padded 
This is my first ever box and it is far from perfect. The ladder stitching could have been neater, the corners could have been better, even the mount board cutting could have been more accurate, but with all that said it still turned out wonderfully! With a little more practise I would say it could be perfect – but I made it! Even though there is room for improvement I am more than happy with my first ever attempt and now just need to stitch more Hardanger so I can create another box.
I absolutely love this. You have chosen the perfect fabrics to make the box out of. Clever clever you!
WOW, that’s amazing, well done x
Ohhh Teresa what a beautiful finish OMG I love it. I will have to check out the finishing site.
Huge hugs Patty
Teresa that is just delightful and the absolutely perfect finish for it ?
Really inspiring it looks beautiful. I tried hardanger years ago and cut the wrong threads it totally put me off trying it. I even still have the fabric and pattern put away somewhere ? maybe I’ll give it another try after seeing yours
Your finish is a amazing! I love purple and pink
Hi Teresa,
It looks spectacular! I would have never guessed this was your first time at making a box like this! Congratulations!!!!