by Nicole Elmes – Helmar Creative Team Member
Well here we are, it’s a new year, and for me it is time to get into reorganising and streamlining my craft studio. So step one was to make a storage solution for my very special Helmar collection, and it’s a mission complete!
I must say that I am super pleased that after all of the designing, planning, mishaps, hair pulling, and just maybe a swear word or 10 that this project is now sitting proudly on my desk!
Lets get started with what you would need to complete a project like this……
First, and most importantly you will need a few different super awesome Helmar adhesives, these are the ones I used –
You will also need a a whole lot of 1400gsm boxboard/chipboard (whatever you like to call it), cardstock to make reinforcements and also for lining the box, fabric of your choice to wrap the box, and your choice of drawer pulls. The finished size of this project is approximately 12” wide x 7.5” deep x 8.25” high.
I used calico to make the wrap and a design that I printed onto white cotton fabric, I then cut apart the patterned fabric and collaged onto the calico. For this step I used a light spray of the Helmar spray adhesive to secure the pieces before using my sewing machine to free stitch everything together. (I must give thanks to JJ Design House for collaborating with me on the design). I did back the fabric with Heat ‘n’ Bond and tissue paper, this made the calico less translucent and also ensured that there would be no seepage when wrapping the box. I used Tiger Grip Glue to attach the fabric wrap to the outer part of the box, I then use Fabric Glue to secure the edges.
Next is cutting and assembling the many pieces of boxboard, it was 33 pieces in total!! I chose to use the 450 Glue for this process as I needed a strong and quick bond to keep it all stable, it did a fabulous job.
The next step was to add the front piece (sorry, forgot to take a photo of that!) and then you wrap the outer box with your fabric piece. You do it this way so when you add the drawer section all of the fabric is neatly tucked in.
After adding and securing the drawer section with more reinforcement pieces you will need to line the box. I used cardstock and lined the two bottom sections of the box first, I then cut two pieces for the inside walls so there would be minimal seams (I’m pretty fussy, and don’t like seams everywhere!), it was a little tricky but it worked out great. To attach the linings I used the Acid Free glue as it doesn’t curl the cardstock therefore making it a lot easier and less messier to apply in tighter spaces.
Almost there…… I just needed to add some little drawer pulls. I do have some little metal ones but they didn’t give the aesthetic I was after so I made my own. Super simple, I used a punch to cut out three 1” circles using Kraft Tex, cut out some small sections on each side to secure a little brass D ring, glued them on using Tiger Glue, and there you go, simple drawer pulls that look fabulous (well I think they do!)
So that’s it for this month my super fabulous crafty friends, til next time, have fun and CREATE!!
PHOTO GALLERY
