#19 All Sewn Up - A Vintage Journey

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Hello my fellow blog friends, thanks for stopping by to see my DT post for A Vintage Journey.

Brenda is hosting our latest challenge which runs for 2 weeks called All Sewn Up. Do pop over, here, where you will find all the details on how to enter the challenge and see the outstanding inspiration from my fellow Creative Guides. You are once again in for a real treat.

I decided I wanted to make a sewing box for my daughter, adding eclectic touches as she loves this in her style of jewellery. She is now in London training for British Airways long haul Cabin Crew. On previous uniforms she has worn, buttons would fall off regularly, so I thought this would be a nice gift to give her, should she need a needle and thread at hand.

My inspiration was taken from Tim's papers and the blog post he shared with us all recently about his new fabrics and beautiful patchwork projects. Also his saying of  'embrace imperfection', suited my project perfectly as I wanted my stitching and zip to have a lack of straight lines.

With this all in mind I started by removing the fastenings from the front and then giving my box a light sand and a coat of Gesso to seal it.

I then started tearing tissue from an old sewing pattern and gluing onto my box in areas inside and out with Multi Medium, that I thought at this point I may keep on show.  I added a little crackles with my stamp and Archival ink.

Next I cut out sections of different papers from the Menagerie Collection to fit in all the squares as a patchwork effect. I stitched them using my sewing machine, changing from Zig Zag, to not so Straight a stitch Lol. I then used my distress tool around all the edges and inked for definition. My paper now looks like torn pieces of fabric with a hint of the sewing pattern in the background. 

I then glued them onto my box.

On the inside of the box I decided to add a little decoration to the lid with the Ephemera Pack Thrift Shop, also using the Sizzix mini sewing room die, dressing my mannequin with a lace overlay, ribbon and an old Cameo earring. My bottles I applied the crackle technique found in Tim's new book along with small hand written labels. You will also notice bobbins of thread, inch tape, buttons, hooks and eyes.

On the outside of the lid I had the perfect paper in my Tim Stash ( French Industrial ) with all the little squares. I roughly cut out an area for the zip to go not worrying about it being precise (embrace imperfection). Next I stitched along all the lines to give the illusion my paper had been patchworked together and stitched my zip in place, again using my distress tool and inks around the edges of the paper.

On this paper of Tim's I loved how this Lady looked like Cabin Crew staff from the Sixties so I had to incorporate her into my design. This is when I had the idea of having my zip open on the top of my box.

I carried on decorating the top with some appropriate word stamps, a few remnant rubs, Tim's inch tape and buckle and some stud fasteners. You will also notice my Aeroplane button which I gave distressed around the edges and gave a coat of glossy accents.

To finish I added a layer of black felt to the base of the box inside and out.

Front and Rear view

I hope I have managed to inspire you to join in the challenge now at A Vintage Journey, it would be lovely to see your entry. You could also be the lucky winner of a £10 Shopping Spree with our generous sponsor Country View Crafts, where you will find lots of Tim's goodies with free P & P.

Happy Crafting,

Julie x