Pandora's hatbox

Pandora's Hatbox is surprisingly easy to make. You can follow the steps in the blog posts I've been making or, if it's easier for you, buy a fully illustrated step-by-step guide to doing it for just USD$5.00 at my etsy store. Don't forget to come back to the blog next week to see what my next project will be.

Purple lining

Here's how I made the lining for Pandora's Hatbox.
I used spray-on fabric glue (spray it onto both the inside of the hatbox and the back of the fabric for best adhesion) for the sides of the box and lid, then secured the edges with quick-grip liquid craft adhesive. The first step is to apply the lining around the inside of the barrel of the hatbox; after I'd glued down the edge I used bulldog clips to hold it in place while it dried.

To make the lid and base lining, I first traced the base of the hatbox twice onto cardboard and cut out two discs (cut about 5mm or a quarter inch inside the traced line so that the discs will fit inside the box). Then I gathered one edge of a strip of fabric very tightly to form a circle. With the gathered edge in the centre of the cardboard disc, turn the whole thing over and gather the other edge of the fabric so that it draws up on the other side of the disc.

I glued these fabric-covered discs into the lid and the base of the hatbox. (Note that I said last week that I was going to use paper to line the lip of the lid, but I decided to use the fabric because it was quite thin.) Apply the glue in the centre and around the outer edge of the disc, then use a couple of heavy books to squash it into place while the glue dries.

The final step is to add a button to cover up the gathered edges in the centre. I made these buttons by gathering a small circle of the fabric over a small, round badge, then glued them in place (I used the heavy books again). I'll post pictures of the finished hatbox in a day or two, when I've got the full instructions ready in my etsy store.

Pandora's hatbox

To finish Pandora's Hatbox, I used gold thread to gather the top edge of the braid so it will sit flat. I had already drilled the holes for the split pins, so it was simply a matter of securing them. Now I only need to add the lining: check back in a couple of days to see how. If you want all the instructions, I'll have the pattern in my etsy store soon.

Pandora's braids

The next step in my faux Victorian leather hatbox is adding gold braid to replicate the brass strips that decorate the original object. I've chosen three different braids, including a woven braid with a line down the centre that will work to cover the edge of the lid.

I used a quick-grip clear adhesive to attach the strips, although they will eventually be secured with brass split pins as well. One long strip was glued around the top of the lid, with half of the braid left standing: once the glue has dried, I'll slightly gather the top edge of the braid so that it sits flat and evenly on top of the lid, before adding the brass split pins.

On the base, I cut strips of the different braids and applied them evenly around the barrel. Now I'm leaving it overnight for the glue to dry before moving on to the next step.

If you like the look of this project, please check out my etsy store to see the patterns I have available for steampunk style craft projects.

Finally, a map of the future!

If you have been patiently waiting to see the finished Map of the Future visual journal cover, please accept my apologies. I've been unable to sit at my computer for several weeks now due to a compressed disc in my spine – ouch! The project is now finished, and I've been scribbling away in the journal with more ideas for designs and patterns while I've been ill, so please come back to this blog soon to see what's next. 

After completing the embroidery of the map I had fun finding and adding the brass embellishments shown here, including the compass of cogs and watch parts, the ornate brass hinges and the hasp-and-staple lock to keep it safe.

The pattern and full step-by-step instructions are available from my etsy store, if you would like to make your own visual journal cover. And please add your email address to my mailing list using the form in the sidebar if you'd like to know when new patterns and designs are available.

Map of the Future embroidery

With the embroidery for the Map of the Future visual journal cover complete, today I have rinsed the whole piece of fabric in lukewarm water to remove the water-soluble fabric marker, and spread it out to dry. Because it's linen, I won't let it dry completely before I iron it, pressing from the back on a soft towel so as not to flatten the stitches. There's just a little more preparation (which I'll discuss in detail in the pattern that will soon be available from my etsy store*), and then it will be time to assemble the cover and put it on the visual journal.

* If you'd like to be informed when the pattern is available, simply sign up for the newsletter in the sidebar. I'll email you when a new pattern is available, and I promise I won't contact you for any other sales or marketing.

Decorating the landscape

The embroidery for the Map of the Future visual journal cover is almost done. I've used fairly simple embroidery stitches, and kept details to a minimum: waterways, major roads, parks and bushland. I'm tempted to add signposts to my favourite cafés, bookshops and cinemas, but I might find that the map is complicated enough by the time I've finished all the little French knot trees.

There will be instructions in the pattern detailing which colours and stitches I used, including photographs showing how to do the embroidery stitches. Keep an eye out here on my blog, or sign up in the sidebar to receive an email when the pattern is available in my etsy store.

Miss Molly's mainchauffers

I've finally chosen a more imaginative name for the frilly wrist warmers I've been knitting over the past couple of weeks: Miss Molly's Mainchauffers (that's an approximately French translation of "handwarmers"). With their delicate lacy frills, they deserve a romantic epithet.

The good news is that the pattern to knit these gloves yourself is now available at my etsy store for just $5.00. If you'd like to find out more about my patterns and designs, please sign up for my newsletter in the sidebar. The newsletter goes out whenever a new pattern is available.

Blocking the lacy frill

When you've finished knitting the wrist warmers, you need to block them to even out the fabric. The easiest way is to dampen them with lukewarm water, then pull them onto your hands for a minute to stretch them (gently!) to the right shape. While they are still wet, carefully roll up the glove sections, then lay the frill out as flat as possible on a towel or other absorbent surface. Tease the edge of the frill flat with your fingers and leave it to dry completely.

Once the frill is dry, unroll the glove parts and lay the gloves out flat to ensure that the glove parts are completely dry too. The pattern will soon be available at my etsy store; sign up to the newsletter in the sidebar and I'll let you know when it's ready.

Knitting the wrist warmers

Here's the progress on my frilly wrist warmers. The wrist warmers are knitted all in one, including the lacy frill. After you've knitted the wrist part, you make extra stitches for the frill and place them on stitch holders until you've finished knitting the glove.

Keep knitting in the round, then turn the work at the end of a row and work flat in stocking stitch (knit one row, purl one row) to create the thumb hole.

The pattern for these wrist warmers is almost ready, and when it is I'll be selling it in my etsy store. Keep your eye on this blog to find out when it's available, or sign up to my newsletter using the form in the sidebar and I'll email you when it's ready. As a bonus, if you sign up to the newsletter I'll send you the pattern for the Urban Explorer's Kit Bag for free!

Visualising

The weather has turned colder here in Sydney, so I've been thinking about making a pair of fingerless gloves to keep my hands warm while I type on my computer. I like the look of the wrist warmers in the two pictures I stuck into my visual journal (far left), but I want gloves that will cover my hands as well so I will add a thumbhole and a bit of extra length under the frill.

I've decided to knit the wrist warmers in 2 ply wool so they'll be light and lacy, and I knitted up a test swatch (above right) to see how many stitches I'll need to make each glove. Now I'm off to cast on, and take some photos as I go to share with my you. If you'd like to make a pair for yourself, I'll give you a link to buy the pattern from my Etsy store when I've finished writing it.

Urban explorer's kit bag

 

The Urban Explorer's Kit Bag is complete. Made of faux suede fabric with a cotton ticking lining, the bag is approximately 40 cm (16 in) tall with a base diameter of 21 cm (8¼ in). There is one internal pocket that's just the right size for a smartphone, while a draw-cord closure and a cotton shoulder strap to make it easy to carry. 

You can make this bag for yourself: the pattern and instructions are available from my Etsy store for $5.00 (no shipping costs: online delivery). For readers of this blog only, you can get a free copy of the pattern by signing up to the Steampunk Style newsletter in the panel at right. The newsletter will let you know when other steampunk-style patterns are available, and will not be used for any other marketing.

If you like the Urban Explorer's Kit Bag, please visit again soon to see what interesting steampunk style projects I'll be making next.

Practical printmaking

Today I attended an art class at Culture at Work, where we were learning to make prints using foam sheets. The technique is to draw quite heavily on the foam with an ordinary pencil, making deep gouges in the surface, then roll on ink and print onto paper in the same way as a lino print. I haven't done this type of printmaking since high school, and I was quite pleased with my effort. So pleased, in fact, that I'm selling the three copies I made in my Etsy shop.

The image is a freehand drawing based on a photograph in today's newspaper. I've called it Steelwork.

Culture at Work runs art classes featuring all sorts of art techniques on Wednesday mornings at 10.30. It's located in Pyrmont, Sydney. Click on the link to the website for more details and join us if you live nearby.