What the Trinket Box Taught Me

My Trinket Box is finished. Here is what I learned.

1. Covering with paper.

It isn't difficult, but it does take time and thought. The edges are the critical points. Studying extant caskets will quickly show  you the spots to pay attention to. Anything that will be left exposed in the end I have decided I want to wrap, not leave a raw, cut edge. I will try to place raw edges where the embroidery will cover them.

2. Dyeing/painting the paper edges. I will definitely use this technique on my casket. First I will test other products. Occasionally the dye rubbed off where the wheat paste touched it. I don't want that on the casket but now I know what to test for. 

Go with the flow! This is a fun project. Embrace and enjoy what happens along the way. I totally forgot about the key hole cover for the trinket box. Since on this trinket box it is just a dummy cover I could place it anywhere I wanted. Actually I don't think I could have planned this any better!

3. EDGES

This was the topic I was most curious about when I started putting the box together. I tried finger looped braids, buttonholed edges and glued on needle stitched borders. They all have great potential and I'm sure they will show up on the final casket.

I also now realize what an unifying element the silver tape is. 

So what's with the bird?

This is my version of the gummed silk techniques. I decided to play with dyed mulberry papers. Mulberries are what silkworms eat therefore this is my version of gummed silk. I made that up. It isn't really gummed silk. But it was lots of fun and I will be using it inside the casket. Don't care for the pen details. I will have to find a different way to add details.

You finally Get to See This Casket Thing I've Been Talking About

I'd like to propose a toast to my embroidery journey!

The casket's first hug.

Two Dollies in Red

Two Dollies in Red

One is a Thimblehead

Well it's really a hat

Imagine that.

Not PC (Period Correct)

I have covered my trinket box in the period correct manner of wheat paste and wonderful handmade paper. Tricia's video instructions made it easy. After that point I have deviated, went to the dark side, became not PC (not period correct) in other words returned to Janet's World.

I dyed the edges with all purpose ink in a shade of blue that matches the edge of the top embroidery.

And I have painted the edges of the box. The whole purpose of the Trinket Box is to try out all kinds of new techniques on a small scale before you commit to something for the casket. Well, I've already committed a few ideas so I thought it was time to see if they will work.

Here is the inside of the lid with the marbled paper that came with the class. 

And here is the outside of the lid with the embroidery in place. This piece is finished with blanket stitches all around. I won't need the silver tape.

So far so good.

More From the Mathers Museum

Eye candy and stitching close-ups.

Miss Trinket

Meet Miss Trinket.

And here is Miss Trinket's Box.

Zhen Xian Bao

This is the delightful book that told me all about Chinese Thread books or Zhen Xian Bao.

And there are 4 workbooks available. 

Here is all of the information about the books that I have to share.