Make a dainty ring pillow or wedding keepsake box with simple candlewicking techniques.


Simple designs are the essence of candlewicking. The glossy white thread of the candlewick embroidery forms a subtle contrast on the cotton fabric.

The keepsake box is lined with homespun, which is held in place by colonial knots. A ribbon hinge supports the lid. The little ring cushion is just the right size for the flower girl or pageboy, while the box will keep your wedding mementoes safe for years to come.

Finished size
Keepsake box 35 x 24cm and embroidered panel 30 x 19cm.
Ring cushion 18 x 13cm.

Stitches: chain stitch, colonial knot, detached chain stitch, feather stitch, stem stitch.

You'll need
White homespun cotton
Tracing paper
Black pen
Pencil or water-soluble pen
Coton Perle no. 5 in white (2 skeins)
DMC stranded embroidery cotton in white
Crewel needle size 7

Cushion
80cm of white satin piping
60cm of 5mm wide white ribbon
Filling

Box
Craftwood box 35 x 24 x 8cm
Folk Art Sealer
FolkArt basecoat in Wicker White
FolkArt Pearl Cote, Pearl Glaze
Spray adhesive
Craft glue
Cardboard 1mm thick
Masking tape
1.2m white satin piping
1m of 1.5cm wide white ribbon
40cm medium wadding

Ring cushion



Click here to enlarge

Step 1Cut two pieces of homespun 23 x 18cm. Trace the ring cushion design onto tracing paper with a black pen. Tape it to a window and tape one piece of fabric over it. Transfer the design to the fabric using a water-soluble pen.

Step 2 Work all the design apart from the date in Coton Perle. The initials are embroidered in stem stitch for the thin lines and chain stitch for the thicker sections. The hearts and other dots are colonial knots, and the stems are worked in feather stitch. Finally, add the date, using two strands of stranded cotton and small stem stitch.

Step 3 When the embroidery is completed, wash it gently to remove the pen or pencil marks, place it face down on a soft towel and iron it.

Step 4 Leaving a seam allowance of about 2cm, tack piping around the edge of the right side of the embroidered piece, beginning and ending at the centre of the bottom. Place the front and back together with right sides facing and stitch them, leaving an opening for turning. Turn right side out and fill. Stitch the opening closed.

Step 5 Cut three 20cm lengths of ribbon. Tie one in a bow and stitch it over the join in the piping. Stitch the centre of the other pieces one on either side of the initials, ready for the rings.

Keepsake box



Click her to enlarge

Step 1 Cut one piece of homespun 32 x 22cm. Transfer a design for the relevant initials. Work the embroidery as for the ring cushion, using detached chain stitch for the flowers.

Step 2 Seal the box, and paint it inside and out with three or four coats of white paint. Let it dry thoroughly and apply three or four light sprays of pearl glaze.

Step 3 To line the box, cut out pieces of cardboard to fit the bottom and each side of the box and the lid (ten pieces) and pieces of wadding to match. On the base pieces for box and lid mark a grid in pencil and use an upholstery needle or nail to pierce through at each intersection (this makes it easier to add the colonial knots later). Glue the cardboard to the wadding.

Step 4 Cut a piece of homespun to match each cardboard piece but allow 2cm extra all around each piece of fabric. Press the fabric pieces. Add craft glue around the edges of one cardboard piece, place it wadding side down on the corresponding fabric and fold the edges of the fabric over the cardboard, long sides first. Keeping the fabric taut, fold in the corners and then the sides. Repeat on all pieces.

Step 5 Tape the end of a long piece of Coton Perle to the back of the cardboard lining for the lid base. At the first hole, bring the needle through the cardboard and fabric, and make a colonial knot. Return the needle to the back of the cardboard and tape the thread to the cardboard. Repeat this at each hole in the lid base and then at each hole in the box base.

Step 6 Take the embroidered piece for the top of the box and prepare it as for the lining pieces. Add glue around the edge of the cardboard and press piping onto it, starting at the centre front. Overlap the piping at the join.

Step 7 Cut two pieces of ribbon 35cm long and glue and tape them to the inside of the box and lid, in the centre of the front long sides. Cut a 30cm long piece of ribbon and fix it across one corner so that the lid does not fall back when opened.

Step 8 Place glue on the back of the base lining piece and fit it into the box. Repeat the process for the long sides and then for the short ones. Repeat for the lid. Centre the embroidered piece on top of the lid and glue it in place.



Source: Better Homes and Gardens Heirloom Embroidery (Murdoch Books)