Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms Embroidery Arts Monograms
Embroidery Arts Monograms EmbroideryArts Monogram Styles Collections EmbroideryArts Catalog Projects Tutorials Information Check Out Help Embroidery Arts Monograms

back to Button Box


 

 

June

Directions for Monogrammed Button Box Project / October 2001

(This project features letters from our Circle Monogram Set)

Step 1. Print instructions.

These are .pdf files, and require Adobe Acrobat Reader software in order to view and print. (The references in these instructions to Figure 1, etc are to illustrations that are part of the .pdf version)
To insure printing in exact size, be sure that FIT TO PAGE (see Properties under the Print Menu) is not selected.

Step 2. Review instructions and materials required (materials list at the end of these instructions).

Step 3. Merge letters of your choice to create a circle monogram.

The Circle Monogram Set includes the complete alphabet in left, middle and right versions, along with a satin stitch circle to use as an embellishment.

Load the circle first, then use it to align the three letters of your choice as you merge them within your software.

Note: If you do not wish to use the circular border in your finished design, it is still useful to aid in the alignment of the letters. Delete it after the three letter combination is complete if you donít want the circle to appear as part of the completed monogram.

Once you are happy with the combination that you have created, save it under a new filename.

Step 4. Bond stabilizer to fabric.

We used felt for our example, and would recommend it as a fabric for this project because it is very stable and will not unravel at the edges once the completed monogram is trimmed.

Bond a layer of Wonder-Under, or similar iron-on pellon material to one layer of medium-heavyweight tear way backing using a hot iron. Once the surface has cooled, remove the paper backing and bond the stabilizer to the felt.

Step 5.Sew the Monogram

We hooped the bib along with one layer of medium-weight tear-away backing. This backing gave good stability, and was easy to remove after the design was finished.

Step 6. Paint the top and bottom of the paper-mache box.

We chose a circular box made of paper-mache at a craft store that had a top diameter of 3 1/2" (89 mm). The box was constructed in two pieces: a top section, with a lip of 5/8" (15 mm), and a bottom section, slightly smaller in diameter, and with a wall height of 1 1/2" (38 mm).

There are several other types of inexpensive circular boxes that would be appropriate for this project, but we liked this one for its durability, and it's ability to easily absorb paint.

Spray the outside surface of the top and bottom on the box, allow to dry, then spray the inside surface. The color of aerosol spray paint chosen should match your overall color scheme.

Step 7 (Optional): Apply flocking.

We though it would make our box a little more special if the interior surface had a softer fabric surface, so we used a product called Soft Flock from Plaid Enterprises, Inc.

The flocking consists of two parts: a paint-on adhesive, and loose flocking fibers. The adhesive, which comes in a color that matches the flocking, is carefully painted onto the inside surface of the bottom of the box with a small soft brush. The flocking material is them shaken onto the wet adhesive, allowed to dry, then the excess fibers are shaken off.

Step 8. Adhere the monogram to the top of the box.

It will be easier to place the monogram on the top of the box accurately if you turn the sewn monogram over, and trace a guideline that represents the outside diameter of the top of the box.

After this guideline has been established, spray the back surface of the sewn monogram with Super 77 Spray adhesive, being careful to protect the surrounding area (table, etc.) from overspray from the aerosol can.

With the back surface of the sewn monogram up, carefully position the top of the box, aligning with the drawn guidelines.

Allow the two surfaces to adhere - then, with the sewn surface turned down, carefully trim away the excess backing and fabric with a very sharp X-Acto knife, using the edge of the top of the box as a guide.

Step 9. Apply Ribbon to box top lip.

We chose a ribbon that was wide enough to cover the lip of the box and just overlap the thickness of the felt on the top.

Cut the ribbon so that it is slightly longer ( 1/2" (13mm)) than the circumference of the top of the box, insuring that your cuts are at 90 degrees to the edge of the ribbon. Wrap the ribbon around the top of the box without any adhesive, and mark the point where the two ends will overlap.

Put a piece of masking tap over one end, covering the ribbon excess, and spray the ribbon with Super 77 Spray adhesive. Remove the masking tape, and use the non-sticky end as a tab to lift the ribbon.

Lay the ribbon, sprayed side up, on a flat surface, and carefully press the edge of the boxtop lip against it, starting with the end that has been completely sprayed with adhesive.

Carefully roll the top of the box along the ribbon surface, aligning the edges, pressing down from the inside as you go.

Trim the end of the ribbon at the overlap point with a sharp pair of scissors, and press the end into place.

Congratulations! Your project is complete.

Materials
Paper Mache Round Box:
Widely available at craft stores (A C Moore, JoAnn, Etc.)

Ribbon:
Also widely available at the same locations, or a sewing stores.

Spray Paint and Super 77 Spray Adhesive:
Both are widely available from hardware and craft stores. Super 77 Spray adhesive is manufactured by 3M.

Flocking:
Soft-Flock, manufactured by Plaid Enterprises, Inc. of Norcross, GA is a product that combines fibres in a variety of colors with brush-on adhesive in matching colors, is available from craft stores, or online at:
http://www.plaidonline.com

WholesaleMonograms.com 17 Fourth Avenue Nyack New York 10960 Contact Us Embroideryarts.com Daniel Wiener