by spendlove 26 Apr 2015

Another wooden box. This one took two sheets and you will see that they are not quite the same colour. (I think they will fade to be the same.)

Don't be afraid of stitching on balsa wood - you can cut it with scissors!
Hoop tear away stabiliser and cover with balsa sheets (mine ate 1.5mm thick) to make a piece big enough to cover your box. Use glue stick to fix the sheets to the stabiliser, particularly along the join. Stitch your design. (The engraved style ones from Urban are particularly suitable.) Take out of the hoop and remove as much of the stabiliser as possible. Place the embroidered sheet face down on a smooth hard surface. Cover the top of the box evenly with PVA glue, turn it over and place it in position on the balsa sheet. Weigh this all down with something heavy and forget about it for a few hours.
Place the box, still upside down, on a cutting mat and use a sharp craft knife to cut the excess wood away. Use fine sandpaper to chamfer the edges slightly to finish.

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by lilylyn 28 Apr 2015

Beautiful box Sue. Thanks for giving us a tutorial on how to do it!! Lyn

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sewtired by sewtired 29 Apr 2015

My sentiments exactly!

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by lidiad 28 Apr 2015

Great job, Sue, love it!
Hugs, Lidia

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by Shisha 27 Apr 2015

Very nice!

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by jrob Moderator 27 Apr 2015

Yours is really pretty. I did some of these several years ago and gave them away. I had forgotten about stitching on balsa. I love it!

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by rsloan 27 Apr 2015

Another excellent project -- and thank you for the detailed instructions.

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by gougousse 27 Apr 2015

C'est tellement beau. J'espère pouvoir en faire un jour.

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by joannmeyer 27 Apr 2015

That is gorgeous! Thanks for the instructions. I'll have to give this a try.

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by tfk 27 Apr 2015

These are so beautiful Sue....your choice of design and colours is great too! I love it :)

1 comment
tfk by tfk 27 Apr 2015

And thank you so much for giving us a tutorial on how you do it! I would love to give it a try :)

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by anitapatch 27 Apr 2015

What a good idea. Lovely

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by vickiannette 27 Apr 2015

fantastic Sue, I will be looking at balsa wood with 'new' eyes next time I see some.

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by highlandermom 26 Apr 2015

Beautiful

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by justsew 26 Apr 2015

Brilliant work Sue I love it,
Hugs Pam.

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by lucy1234 26 Apr 2015

Looks so good, great work!!

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by lbrow 26 Apr 2015

Wish I was as brave as you are Sue. Love this/Lillian

1 comment
crafter2243 by crafter2243 27 Apr 2015

I am with you

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by ygarrone 26 Apr 2015

WOW - looks great.

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by sandralane 26 Apr 2015

Amazing another very pretty box top. Wonderful job again, Congratulations. Sandra

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by shirley124 26 Apr 2015

This one is so pretty. Well done. Hugs

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by snowbird42 26 Apr 2015

Just wonderful i do e know if would be me enough to try it i wold assume you would need a change of needle after this project...just love i...soozie

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 27 Apr 2015

It doesn't blunt the needle as much as stitching on card!

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by pennifold 26 Apr 2015

STUNNING! Love Chris

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by lilylady 26 Apr 2015

Sue these are beautiful, Love them. Sandy

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by mysew1325 26 Apr 2015

what is the thickness of the wood you are useing

1 comment
pennifold by pennifold 26 Apr 2015

Sue said hers are 1.5mm thick. Love Chris

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by shilpabob 26 Apr 2015

lovely project ,did u embroider straight on to the balsa wood.as bit confused reading your instructions,im tired maybe i should re read it tomorrow.

2 comments
spendlove by spendlove 27 Apr 2015

Straight on to the balsa.

shilpabob by shilpabob 27 Apr 2015

ok Thankyou

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by grannycottage 26 Apr 2015

Good job and beautiful design.

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by pldc 26 Apr 2015

Well done Sue! ~hugs~

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by binekla 26 Apr 2015

Einfach großartig!!!

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by gillemmerson 26 Apr 2015

Very good Sue I don't think I would dare to attempt this!

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by basketkase 26 Apr 2015

phoenomenal job, Sue!

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by noah 26 Apr 2015

Oh i would love to try this maybe i will look for this wood.I love it Sue hugs

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 27 Apr 2015

Try a model shop - or Ebay!

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by lucky1 26 Apr 2015

hello I'm manuela yous work is wonderful, but I would like too know if it doesn't break or use the embroidery machine.All your wooden box are beuatiful. tahks manuela

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 27 Apr 2015

The balsa is softer than many fabrics and very easy to sew.

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by lucky1 26 Apr 2015

hello I'm manuela yous work is wonderful, but I would like too know if it doesn't break or use the embroidery machine.All your wooden box are beuatiful. tahks manuela

1 comment
pldc by pldc 26 Apr 2015

Welcome to our cute family Manuela! We are happy to have you with us. ~hugs Loralye~

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by sonjapotgieter 26 Apr 2015

Stunning work Sue...Excellent job done on it!!!!Love it Awesome

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by grossfamilie 26 Apr 2015

This is excellent. To embroider on wood - you make dreams come true,
dear Sue! Thanks for showing - Maria

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by pennyhal2 26 Apr 2015

Great explanation of the techinque! Thanks! Lovely design.

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by peafarm 26 Apr 2015

This is beautiful. Always wondered how to do it. Afraid of getting my machine out of whack.

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 27 Apr 2015

The needle just slips between the fibres. Balsa is very soft.

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by asterixsew Moderator 26 Apr 2015

Brilliant

1 comment
asterixsew by asterixsew 26 Apr 2015

I am off to the Works tomorrow

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by stork 26 Apr 2015

What a wonderful idea! Love your design

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by kathymourie 26 Apr 2015

Beautiful !!!
Kathy
VA

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by mysew1325 26 Apr 2015

these boxes are stunning and i want to try one.. what size needle are you using.. I am going to go to Michael's and find a box and the wood..

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 26 Apr 2015

Normal Janome blue tip needle.

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by dragonflyer 26 Apr 2015

Very nice job, Sue...where are you getting the wooden boxes?

2 comments
spendlove by spendlove 26 Apr 2015

The first two I did were just packaging. I did buy this hexagonal one though. It came from "The Works" which is a publishers' remainders book shop. They also sell some rather random art and craft items.

dragonflyer by dragonflyer 26 Apr 2015

Ah, thanks for the information..not sure we have them here in the USA...but perhaps Michael's or other craft shop might...I will have to check more into this...

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by laffma1 26 Apr 2015

Wow, this is lovely. Great design too. Have you ever tried to stain the wood, or do you think it would be too dark then to show off an embroidery design?

1 comment
spendlove by spendlove 26 Apr 2015

I don't think it would work. Luckily the balsa has been a good match for every box I've done so far so I've left it as it is.

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by kingmar 26 Apr 2015

Lovely. Thanks for the mini tutorial. mk

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by radmom 26 Apr 2015

Beautiful box! Thanks for the tips about embroidery on balsa wood. I'm still not sure I'm brave enough to try.

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by Alkestis 26 Apr 2015

Looks great, thank you for showing

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by 02kar Moderator 26 Apr 2015

Another beautiful box. You and your new machine are having a wonderful time.

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