Kids Makes
Desk Tidy
Brighten up your desk this Spring with a funky pen pot. Add some simple machine embroidery to create some easy flower shapes and keep you desk neat and tidy! Make a set of them in different sizes for the dressing table too!
Materials
* Straight sided, round cardboard containers
(some brands of biscuits and crisps come in these)
* Fabric to cover each container
* Lightweight wadding to cover container
* Stabiliser such as Stitch ‘n’ Tear
* Contrasting threads for embroidering
* Beads, buttons, sequins, braid to decorate
* Felt for linings and base
* Fabric glue
Steps to make
1. Measure the height of container and add 5 cm (2”). Measure circumference around the container and add 1.5 cm (5/8”). Cut a rectangle in chosen fabric and of the wadding to the measurements.
2. Paint a line of fabric glue around the top of the container and wrap the wadding round it with 2.5 cm (1”) excess wadding at top and bottom. Leave to dry and then snip into excess at top and bottom about every 2 cm (3/4”). Paint glue inside the top edge of container and fold upper edge of container neatly inside. Paint glue around base and fold lower edge over neatly.
3. Take the fabric and mark with a chalk pencil some flower designs (see photo for ideas). Back the areas to be embroidered with stabiliser. Set machine for medium width satin stitch (very close zigzag). Use contrasting embroidery thread.
HANDY TIPS: For the marigold shaped flower – begin at the inner end of one petal and stitch to outer end with stitches to right of marked line. Stop with needle down and turn work to stitch back to inner end to right of the previous stitches making a double line. Stop with needle down at right and turn work to begin next petal.
For other flowers, stitch around outlines, stopping outside corners with needle down at the outside of the shape to turn work.
4. Remove stabiliser. Run all thread ends in on wrong side and sew on buttons, beads, or sequins to decorate.
5. To strengthen the container, you can line shallow containers with felt or fabric. Trim sides of embroidered piece with pinking shears and glue to cover container in the same way as the wadding.
HANDY HINT: If the top edge looks a bit wobbly, try stitching or glueing a length of fur trim to disguise it!
This project was originally in the March 2003 issue of Sewing World magazine as part of a set of handy tidies by Betty Barnden. For more information about Sewing World magazine, visit www.sewingworldmagazine.com.
