
Updated September 14, 2021.
One thing which has always intrigued me is the idea of making boxes out of needlepoint. I find the idea of using needlepoint for the sides of the box completely intriguing.
There are several painted canvas designers who do too. Kathy Schenkel makes cube ornaments (I just bought Kathy’s Lighthouse Cube at an ANG Auction). Julia’s Needleworks has her lovely hinged boxes in a variety of shapes.
I’ve ventured out a couple of times into this direction with a plastic canvas box tassel ornament and with a needlepoint shopping bag ornament.
But what if you want to venture out and make your own box design. You can easily find free box template patterns on the Web. These could be used as outlines for needlepoint.
If you plan on using these for needlepoint, print out the template in the size you want and trace it onto your canvas. Keep the lines of the box which are supposed to be straight along a single thread of canvas. Interlock canvas is often recommended for boxes because it is lighter and can be cut more closely.
If you will be finishing the box yourself when you are planning your stitching, do not stitch those areas which will be folded in when complete, you’ll see them on the template. To make the box successfully, these will need to be unstitched canvas. Once the box is assembled, you can then stitch these lines.
Let me know if you stitch one of these boxes. In the meantime, I’m adding it to my needlepoint dream list.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
Great ideas! Any idea where we can buy the hinged box hardware on its own? Always seen it as part of a kit, but would love to design my own.
Thank you.
If you mean those metal rounds for Limoges-style boxes, i have no idea, but would love to know. If you mean the little inside hinges for wooden boxes, i’d try woodworker supply shops.
Keep Stitching,
Janet
lucinda gregory designs has the hinges
Thanks for giving us a source for these.
Keep stitching,
Janet