Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
Ornamentations (noun): 2. That in which the process of ornamenting is embodied; the ornaments which adorn a thing collectively; ornament in general
Or, in music, the grace notes that embellish a melodic line.
@kstrachanembroidery on Instagram
This is an overview of specific issues to consider when planning to cover a box with embroidery based on my experiences, both good and bad, with my own pieces, seen in previous episodes of Ornamentations.
In this episode, I discuss how to select a design, including adapting counted thread elements, box selection, selecting trims and papers, and most importantly the "order of work" in completing a box.
My goal is to encourage and guide you using my adaptation of an existing counted thread pattern by Modern Folk Embroidery to make a beautiful embroidered box. I hope you'll join me on this journey.
For the SAL:
Box (10.6" x 7.8" x 5.5"): smile.amazon.com/dp/B08TCBNWP8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Forget Me Not pattern: modernfolkembroidery.com/product/forget-me-not-a-quaker-sampler-pdf-pattern
Linen: Fat half of Legacy Linen 37 ct Russian Tea Cake, available through Needle in a Haystack here (search Russian Tea Cake) or your LNS: needlestack.com/WebStore/fabric.html
Lining silk (1/2 yard): moodfabrics.com/applications/bottom-fabrics/red-silk-duchesse-satin-pv9500-28
Full materials list coming in episode 7
Tudor Textiles by Eleri Lynn: amazon.com/Tudor-Textiles-Eleri-Lynn/dp/0300244126/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12ITVZ1ZHYLQK&dchild=1&keywords=tudor+textiles&qid=1635053139&sprefix=tudor+textiles%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-2
There is a spectacular book on the embroidered textiles of Hardwick Hall by Santina Levey: amazon.com/Embroideries-Hardwick-Hall-Catalogue/dp/1905400519/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3T1FNQTPLR1AU&dchild=1&keywords=embroideries+of+hardwick+hall&qid=1635053170&sprefix=embroideries+of+hardwick+hall%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-2
Jessica McCormack's embroidery lined jewelry boxes: jessicamccormack.com/jewellery-boxes
jessicamccormack.com/cosmic-heirloom-jewellery-box
The referenced Brenda Gervais piece is her Token of Love sampler, which can be purchased with the accompanying box at Country Stitches
Source for dollhouse moldings: thelittledollhousecompany.com/crown-mouldings-c-265_97/?product_listing_sorter_id=6&sort=20a
Brenda Keyes' Sampler Motif Book: smile.amazon.com/Sampler-Motif-Book-Traditional-Cross-Stitch/dp/0895779188/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36UOYCVHT6PNR&dchild=1&keywords=sampler+motif+book&qid=1635053450&sprefix=sampler+motif+book%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1
Suggested Blackbird Designs patterns:
Oh Joyous Day: hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/products/o-joyous-day-pattern
Christmas Garden, currently in print in Home for the Holidays: hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-cross-stitch-book
Hardware suggestions:
House of Antique Hardware: houseofantiquehardware.com/butterfly-surface-mount-hinges
ballandball.com/product-categories/clock-hinges
Small case clocks often have decorative hinges, so searching ebay or Esty for vintage clock hinges or box hinges can be another way to find unique hardware
Trim suggestions - note that 1/4" is my suggested width when shopping for trim
Thistle Threads' gilt or silver woven tape: thistle-threads.myshopify.com/products/casket-edge-woven-tape-real-metals-per-meter
Tinsel Trading: tinseltrading.com
You can also shop their Etsy store: etsy.com/shop/TinselTrading
Petersham/milliner's ribbon is available at most fabric stores or online from Britex: britexfabrics.com/ribbon/petersham-grosgrain-ribbon.html
Decisions for planning an embroidered box:
1. Full coverage or single panel?
2. Wraparound style or individually trimmed panels?
3. Breaking down a pattern into elements to fill spaces: lid, friezes, sides
4. Hardware: interior or exterior mount hinges
5. Trim (always test glue first)
Order of work:
1. Remove hardware (if external mount hinges) and fill with wood filler, then sand smooth
2. Paper edges on lid and bottom
3. Paper exterior
4. Interior: if using fabric, glue to paper backing, then measure, cut pieces, dry fit, and glue
5. Prep embroidery for gluing, then glue to paper backing, measure, cut pieces, dry fit, and glue
6. Apply trim
7. Mount hardware if using exterior hinges, and feet if using
Ornamentations (noun): 2. That in which the process of ornamenting is embodied; the ornaments which adorn a thing collectively; ornament in general
Or, in music, the grace notes that embellish a melodic line.
@kstrachanembroidery on Instagram
This is an overview of specific issues to consider when planning to cover a box with embroidery based on my experiences, both good and bad, with my own pieces, seen in previous episodes of Ornamentations.
In this episode, I discuss how to select a design, including adapting counted thread elements, box selection, selecting trims and papers, and most importantly the "order of work" in completing a box.
My goal is to encourage and guide you using my adaptation of an existing counted thread pattern by Modern Folk Embroidery to make a beautiful embroidered box. I hope you'll join me on this journey.
For the SAL:
Box (10.6" x 7.8" x 5.5"): smile.amazon.com/dp/B08TCBNWP8?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details
Forget Me Not pattern: modernfolkembroidery.com/product/forget-me-not-a-quaker-sampler-pdf-pattern
Linen: Fat half of Legacy Linen 37 ct Russian Tea Cake, available through Needle in a Haystack here (search Russian Tea Cake) or your LNS: needlestack.com/WebStore/fabric.html
Lining silk (1/2 yard): moodfabrics.com/applications/bottom-fabrics/red-silk-duchesse-satin-pv9500-28
Full materials list coming in episode 7
Tudor Textiles by Eleri Lynn: amazon.com/Tudor-Textiles-Eleri-Lynn/dp/0300244126/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12ITVZ1ZHYLQK&dchild=1&keywords=tudor+textiles&qid=1635053139&sprefix=tudor+textiles%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-2
There is a spectacular book on the embroidered textiles of Hardwick Hall by Santina Levey: amazon.com/Embroideries-Hardwick-Hall-Catalogue/dp/1905400519/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3T1FNQTPLR1AU&dchild=1&keywords=embroideries+of+hardwick+hall&qid=1635053170&sprefix=embroideries+of+hardwick+hall%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-2
Jessica McCormack's embroidery lined jewelry boxes: jessicamccormack.com/jewellery-boxes
jessicamccormack.com/cosmic-heirloom-jewellery-box
The referenced Brenda Gervais piece is her Token of Love sampler, which can be purchased with the accompanying box at Country Stitches
Source for dollhouse moldings: thelittledollhousecompany.com/crown-mouldings-c-265_97/?product_listing_sorter_id=6&sort=20a
Brenda Keyes' Sampler Motif Book: smile.amazon.com/Sampler-Motif-Book-Traditional-Cross-Stitch/dp/0895779188/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36UOYCVHT6PNR&dchild=1&keywords=sampler+motif+book&qid=1635053450&sprefix=sampler+motif+book%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1
Suggested Blackbird Designs patterns:
Oh Joyous Day: hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/products/o-joyous-day-pattern
Christmas Garden, currently in print in Home for the Holidays: hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-cross-stitch-book
Hardware suggestions:
House of Antique Hardware: houseofantiquehardware.com/butterfly-surface-mount-hinges
ballandball.com/product-categories/clock-hinges
Small case clocks often have decorative hinges, so searching ebay or Esty for vintage clock hinges or box hinges can be another way to find unique hardware
Trim suggestions - note that 1/4" is my suggested width when shopping for trim
Thistle Threads' gilt or silver woven tape: thistle-threads.myshopify.com/products/casket-edge-woven-tape-real-metals-per-meter
Tinsel Trading: tinseltrading.com
You can also shop their Etsy store: etsy.com/shop/TinselTrading
Petersham/milliner's ribbon is available at most fabric stores or online from Britex: britexfabrics.com/ribbon/petersham-grosgrain-ribbon.html
Decisions for planning an embroidered box:
1. Full coverage or single panel?
2. Wraparound style or individually trimmed panels?
3. Breaking down a pattern into elements to fill spaces: lid, friezes, sides
4. Hardware: interior or exterior mount hinges
5. Trim (always test glue first)
Order of work:
1. Remove hardware (if external mount hinges) and fill with wood filler, then sand smooth
2. Paper edges on lid and bottom
3. Paper exterior
4. Interior: if using fabric, glue to paper backing, then measure, cut pieces, dry fit, and glue
5. Prep embroidery for gluing, then glue to paper backing, measure, cut pieces, dry fit, and glue
6. Apply trim
7. Mount hardware if using exterior hinges, and feet if using
