Lighthouse in a Box

I double gifted to my husband; his birthday was the end of May and of course Father’s Day was a few weeks ago. This also gives him something to tell the world on Facebook he taught me…NOT, man cannot draw a straight line with a ruler and I am not sure he knows what the eye of the needle really is…but we let him have his dreams…

Let’s talk about boxes before we begin. Your box needs to be purchased at the same time as the needlepoint or at the very least the needlepoint needs to be painted to fit the opening of the box of your choice. I would buy the box at the same time or have it ordered before I begin stitching. Some designs may be painted to fit a box , others may be adapted to fit a box you love; a border may be added or sometimes the background may be extended to fit up to 1/2 inch larger. I some cases the opening may not be as large as the painted canvas, be sure that the canvas fits the box and no important elements omitted. In my case I had the box for a long -long time; truthfully it came with another canvas I stitched another way a long time ago and this box was just lying around. I was truly lucky this canvas fit this box. Two box sources I use to order boxes are:

Patches n Planks: https://sites.google.com/site/patchesnplankshome/home

Sudberry House: http://www.sudberry.com/

If anybody knows of others, please add a comment below; I am always looking for good resourses.

This light house is Portland Head, MD lighthouse, I’ve had it stitched for two years…don’t want to rush anything.  You can read about the stitching here: https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/hiding-out-is-such-fun/ . The Canvas is from ABS Designs: http://www.absdesignsonline.com/;  Anne paints the nicest light houses.  I have a collection of them to finish and even more to stitch. I love ALL her designs  because they are so easy to take-a-long. And if you do not follow Anne on her blog you should; her blog can be found at: http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/. She stitches the greatest skies in the world…needle blending floss is her specialty…she’s super at it.  And you can read her articles in Needlepoint Now magazine monthly too (https://www.needlepointnow.com/).

Okay now to the finishing…

Materials needed:

Blocked ornament (all needlepoint needs to be blocked)

Box to fit the needlework (Mine is no longer made, so be sure your needlepoint fits your box)

Illustration Board: medium weight

Fleece:  I use one about a 1/4 inch thick.

Lining material optional

Clips to hold needlework and backing fabric

#8 0r #12 Perle cotton

Beeswax

Tapestry needle

Flat head screw driver

Usual sewing supplies: scissors, clips etc.

This box happened to come with its own piece of Illustration Board cut to fit the box. I used it as a template to cut a piece of fleece. Carefully open the picture points using a flat head screwdriver to release the illustration board.

Use the template to cut a piece of fleece the exact size or 1/8 inch smaller than illustration board insert.

Cut the blocked canvas leaving 1/2 to 3/4 inches all around the stitching.

I fold and finger press the canvas to the back. I test it to be sure it fits the illustration board with fleece on top.

 

 

Diagonally cut the corners to make a less bulky corner and then miter the corners. Hold the corners and sides in place with the quilters clips I have for finishing (Goggle Clover Wonder Clips). You can also use clip clothes pins.

Cut long length of #8 or #12 perle cotton, it will be doubled in Tapestry needle. Wax with bees wax and knot the ends of the double thread.

Beginning in the center of the long side (if there is a side longer) and going back and forth to either left or right, lace with the double waxed thread.

When the corner is reached stitch the mitered corners and tie off with a secure knot.

Return to the center and repeat lacing on the other half. Remember to stitch the mitered corners. Check on top side of the box to be sure lacing and canvas are correctly positioned; not pulling to tightly but firmly placed.

Lace the short sides together from one corner to the other.

Note on short sided rectangles the lacing only needs to be pulled lightly to hold sides toward center. On squares or larger pieces the sides will need to be laced firmly. This can sometimes be tricky the first time so as not to pull lacing too tightly.

Check box one more time after lacing is completed and re-adjust if necessary. Check to be sure canvas is not warping the illustration board and there are no ripples in the canvas.

Place the cut lining fabric over the lacing and with the flat head screw driver. Return the picture points to their original positions to hold canvas and lining in place.

Your box is finished. Enjoy.

Next time I will catch you up on the Temari Balls. I am also heading to Hamilton, Mo to look for finishing fabric for Melissa Shirley Wicked canvas and ????. More about Hamilton too…I hear it is a quilter’s mecca.

Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have time to stitch today!

ttfn…sue