Anyway, a friend asked if I would show how I attach my punch needle projects to a box without using glue. I personally do not like using glue on the paper mache boxes other than to attach the fabric not on the punch needle itself. That being said I did use it on my owl I made recently and I really like how stiff it makes it. Anyway, that's another day's discussion.
So let's get started shall we?
I chose the fabric I wanted for my box and coffee stained it.(Before and after staining) I am soooooo glad I am a fabric hoarder. I had this awesome sunflower fabric in my stash and didn't know it until I went looking. LOL Cute huh?
I needed to cut down my sunflower a bit. I don't want all the bulky fabric.
I cut around it and left about 1/4-1/2" all the way around.
I decided to use the gold color around the box lid. I measure the width of the band and add 1/4" or less to it and cut or tear it to the right length to fit around your box. It is your choice but I like the torn fabric look around my bottom edge.
I know this picture is fuzzy AND messy, but that extra 1/4" you added to the width will get folded over. What I mean is fold the top edge over a bit so you have a small "lip" that sticks up over the top of the box but yet enough fabric to reach the bottom of the band. Enough to get a needle through. You can finger press or iron press the fold.
I LOVE Mod Podge. Yes I know you can make your own, but I am lazy. LOL. You can also use white glue if you so choose. Anyway, at this point I glue my gold band around the top of the box so it can dry while I'm finishing up the sunflower.
Alright ready to move on?
With the sunflower we are going to make a little "pillow/ pinkeep" per se. I like to hand stitch my top to the base fabric because I can hide that white better as I tuck it in. This is not a fancy stitch. I just use thread that will blend and just stitch as I go around tucking in the white as I go. Stay right at the edge of your project. I like to bring my needle up within the first row or two of punch needle to hide the stitch. Make sure you are using a piece of fabric that is long enough to fold over your project.
Perfect!
This is what my back looks like.
Take your lid place it over your project and draw around it centering it as much as possible. See it wasn't quit big enough for the box.
Fold over your fabric and using a machine or hand stitch that circle you drew all the way around.
Carefully cut a slit through this side of the fabric only! You don't want to cut your punch needle piece. So that you can turn it right side out.
Now we're cooking!!! It looks like a "pillow/pinkeep"
The next step is up to you. I personally like my piece to stick up a little so I used left over fabric from other projects and stuffed my pillow a bit. You could leave it flat. Then I stitched up the slit.
Now let's actually attach it to the box top. Your lid should be dry by now. Place your project on the lid and begin hand stitching little stitches to bring the two together. That little "lip" we left on the band makes it sooooooo much easier to get your needle through then trying to push it through the box lid. TRUST ME! Yes, I did that. Ugggghhhh never again!!! Just stitch completely around the lid. See how the "lip" on the band is folded?
There you have it. MY way of attaching my projects. It is not the only way and may not be the right way, but it works for me.
If anyone needs a tutorial on covering boxes with fabric let me know and I will do one. Otherwise there are a ton on internet to look at.
