Robin Reed, formerly with Country Sampler Decorating Ideas magazine, transforms an old train case into a gem of a jewelry box that adds a special touch to any dressing table. Materials:
Train or overnight case
2 yards of 54"-wide lightweight fabric
Coordinating gift-wrap
Quilt batting
Contrasting or matching trims
1 yard of 1/4" cording
Acrylic paint, one color in various shades
Sheet of matte board
Lightweight cardboard
Utility knife
Clip-style clothespins
Needle and thread
Straight pins
Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
Tacky Glue®
Masking tape
Paste wax
White glue
Ruler
Right angle
Scissors
Finishing the Exterior
- To coordinate the exterior of the case with the fabric you'll use to line the inside, apply a base coat of one paint shade, then apply a top coat of a darker shade, using a wet paper towel.
- Cut a motif from gift-wrap that matches the fabric, and decoupage it to the front of the case (figure A).
- For a glossy look, apply light coats of paste wax, and buff with a lint-free cloth.
Lining the Interior - To make liners, measure the inside width and length of the case's sides, bottom and lid. Reduce the measurement of all sides by 1/4" to allow for fabric and batting. Cut pieces of matte board to these measurements. Cut an opening in the center of the lid piece, leaving a 2" frame for the mirror (figure B).
- Cut another set of matte-board pieces for each side, making the second set 2" shorter than the first. Shorter pieces will be used to create a framework of shirred panels to support a jewelry tray.
- Measure and cut batting for all pieces. Glue the batting to the front of each piece of cut matte board, using Tacky Glue. Add extra batting around the mirror frame and set aside (figure C).
- Measure and cut fabric to fit liner panels. Full-size pieces are smoothly covered; shorter pieces are covered with shirred fabric. For smooth panels, allow 2" excess along each edge for wrapping and gluing to the back of the panel (figure D). For shirred panels, allow 2 1/2 times the horizontal measurement to ensure full gathers, and allow 2" excess for wrapping and gluing.
- Shirr panels with a gathering stitch at the top and bottom edges. Gather to the appropriate length.
- Wrap and glue the fabric around the side and bottom panels. Secure with clothespins as the glue dries. Adjust the gathers as needed (figure E).
- To create a lid support, glue one end of a piece of appropriate-length cording to each side of the lid and attach to the case. Don't stress the glued area until the glue is completely dry.
- Use a hot-glue gun to secure the smooth panels in place (figure F). Set the shirred panels in front of the corresponding smooth panels, apply a bead of glue 1/4" below the gathered edge, and press in place (figure G).
Constructing and Covering the Jewelry Tray - With panels in place, measure the width of the case. The tray should rest on top of the shirred panels. Allow for the thickness of the fabric and batting when calculating the size. The tray should be half as long as the case.
- Draw a rectangle on the back of matte board, using the dimensions calculated in step 1. For accuracy, use a right angle. To make the side of the tray, draw a larger rectangle (1 1/2" wider on all sides) around the first. Make guidelines at the corners by extending lines from the sides of the inner rectangle to meet the outer rectangle (figure H).
- Use a utility knife and a straightedge to cut the outer rectangle, then score all lines by cutting halfway through the board. This will be the back side of the tray (figure I).
- To make tabs at each corner, cut through the matte board on one corner line. Do not cut along the other corner line. This forms tabs that will be folded along the remaining scored line (figure J).
- With the scored side outside, gently fold up the sides. Fold over the tabs to join to the adjacent sides. Hot-glue in place (figure K).
- Cover the tray sides, inside and out, with a strip of fabric that folds over the edge and is long enough to wrap around the perimeter of the tray. For the proper width, measure the depth, then double the measurement and add 2" for gluing the edges. For the proper length, measure the perimeter of the tray and add 2" for finishing the ends. Cut fabric strip (figure L).
- On one side glue the fabric edge to the inside bottom of the tray. Next, cover each side, and glue the fabric edge to the bottom of the tray. Bring fabric up the side, and fold it over the top edge. Smoothly wrap around the outside to the bottom
RESOURCES :
Country Sampler Decorating Ideas magazine
Project sheets are not available prior to 1997. No back issues prior to 1996 are available except for Jan/Feb 1996. Contact Country Sampler for back issue availability. Phone number is for subscription orders only. Fax number is for Country Sampler Group.
Country Sampler Inc. "Country Sampler's Decorating Ideas" Magazine
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: 630-377-8000 ext. 27
Fax: 630-377-8194
Email: country@sampler.com
Website: www.sampler.com
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