2 days to sew a fabric trinket box

Yesterday I began an exploration of what makes the new SCHMETZ Super NonStick needle so special and tested its abilities by making a pair of applique tea towels. Today I’ll prepare the pieces to make a lovely fabric trinket box. Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch and HeatnBond Lite will really help to show off the capabilities of the SCHMETZ super nonstick needles. I’ve used fabric from the Harbor Reflections collection by Northcott to lend an artistic flair.

I’ve always found little boxes charming, even more so when made from pretty fabric. My fabric box will be 4″ square x 4″ deep, just a nice size to hold a variety of special treasures.

materials

• SCHMETZ Super NonStick needles size 80/12 and 100/16 – The nonstick coating will help the needle effortlessly pierce the multiple layers of fabric, fusible web and stabilizer I’ll be using. By preventing the build up of glue residue it will minimize the need to clean the needle to prevent thread breakage.

• 1 pkg Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch – This cut-away permanent stabilizer is used to provide heavy, permanently fused stability for a wide variety of projects such as machine embroidery, purses, clothing and home decor. Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch will add the perfect amount of body to my trinket box.

fabric

• ⅜ yard cotton fabric for the body of the box (I used Harbor Reflections 22951-44 by Northcott)
• ¼ yard cotton fabric for the box lid (I used Harbor Reflections 22955-42 by Northcott)

other

• 1 pkg (17″ x 1 yd) HeatnBond Lite – HeatnBond Lite is a permanent, heat activated, iron-on, double-sided adhesive used for bonding layers of fabric together. I’ll be using it to adhere all layers of the box.
• Sulky rayon thread in a color to accent your fabric
• 1 UNIQUE 2 in 1 Marking Pen
• 1 pkg Heirloom quilting plastic head pins or 1 pkg UNIQUE large clever clips
• 1 UNIQUE non-stick Teflon applique mat
• rotary cutter, 12½” square ruler and cutting mat
• sharp sewing scissors
• sewing machine with standard sewing foot and decorative stitch foot

Preparing the pieces

Iron a 12½” square of Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch to the wrong side of one 12½” squares of fabric. Use the UNIQUE applique mat on top to protect your iron. Take care to ensure there are no bubbles and the entire piece is fused in place.

Repeat for the second 12½” square of fabric.

Iron an 8″ square of Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch to the wrong side of each of the 8″ squares of fabric.

Position the 12½” square of HeatnBond Lite with the textured side against the wrong side of one of the 12½” squares of fabric that has been prepared with Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch.

Iron on the paper side of the HeatnBond Lite and the bumpy side will be against the Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch.

Use a dry iron on medium heat and press the HeatnBond Lite in place with an up and down motion. It only takes a few seconds to form a permanent bond. Allow the fabric to cool then remove the paper from the HeatnBond Lite.

Place the second 12½” square of fabric on top, wrong sides together.

With a dry iron and a UNIQUE applique mat on top, fuse the two squares of stiffened fabric together. The resulting prepared square will be fabric (right side up), Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch, HeatnBond Lite, Sulky Fuse ‘n Stitch, fabric (right side down).

Trim a little off each side of the fused fabric sandwich so it measures 12″ square. A 12½” square quilting ruler and a rotary cutter will help to trim evenly.

Repeat the process to layer and fuse the 8″ squares together. Trim to 7½” square.

I will draw some lines on the lid and body sections of the box to help me know where to fold and where to sew.

The purple tip of the UNIQUE 2 in 1 marking pen is the perfect tool for creating the fabric box. The marks will simply disappear over a period of a few hours eliminating the need to remove them later. This is particularly helpful as I’ll be marking the outside of the box.

On the 12″ layered square draw a line from edge to edge 4″ in and parallel to one side. Repeat for the other three sides. I have drawn nine equal 4″ squares indicating where to fold for the bottom, sides and corners of the box.

On the 7½” square draw a line from edge to edge 1½” in and parallel to one side. Repeat for the other three sides.

This time I have created a 4½” square in the center surrounded by four 1½” x 4½” rectangles with four 1½” squares in the corners.

The 4½” square in the center is the top of the box. It needs to be ½” larger than the opening of the box body in order to fit over the top.

I’ll trim off the extra bulk from the corners of the box lid only. Use sharp sewing scissors to carefully cut out the 1½” squares drawn in the four corners of the 7½” prepared square.

I’ve gathered the supplies and prepared all the pieces for a cute fabric trinket box.

Are you excited to see how SCHMETZ Super NonStick needles will handle the challenge of all those fused layers? I know I am.

Come back tomorrow to complete the fabric trinket box. Be prepared to have fun!