Sew Inspired Shadow Box

Hello "chippie" fans.  Barbara here with a vintage sewing themed shadow box.  I collect antique sewing implements, and I used to sew my own clothes.  I guess you could say I had sewing in my blood.  So, I am still drawn to sewing themes in my art work.  

Lay out your box pieces they way they will be glued together.  This helps you see how to decorate each piece, and it is easier to do the inside while flat.

Trim print paper to fit, but remember to leave the dovetails free so that they will fit properly when glued together.

Ink each outside edge of the paper with brown distress ink before adhering to the chipboard.  This covers up the white edge that you would otherwise see after the box is glued together.  You can easily do this afterwards, too.  Adhere papers to the box, then glue the pieces together.

Trim a coordinating print paper to fit the outside of the box.  This time, you need to cut the pieces slightly larger because you want to cover the dovetails on the outside of the box.  Again, I inked the paper edges with brown distress ink before adhering to the chipboard. 

Paint swirled heart pieces and word "Inspire" with a mixture of Quinacridone Violet and Cadmium Red Hue.  Paint dressform with a mix of Quinacridone Gold and Burnt Umber.

Adhere swirled heart pieces to outside of box.

Wrap colored thread around three small spools and adhere inside box.

Adhere dressform to box bottom.

Paint two large (1-1/2") wooden spools with brown distress stain.  Wrap spools with crochet cotton and adhere to  bottom of box.

Paint shell border sticks with Rose chalk ink on both sides.  Adhere around top edge of box.  Glue "Inspire" along top front.  Glue string of pearls around edge of box.

Adhere mini sewing machine, wood buttons, lace flower, and thimble, ruler, and scissors  charms inside box, as shown.

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Supplies Used:
Bagatelle Box 3 x 4 Inch
Dressforms 1 Miniature Shape Set
Shell Border Sticks
Words & Phrases 1
Texture Sheet Swirled Hearts

Other Supplies Used:
Scrapbook paper
Fluid Acrylics
Rose chalk paint
Brown distress stain
Fast Grab Tacky Glue
Wooden spools (various sizes)
Miniature sewing machine
Thimble charm
Sewing and crochet thread
Lace flower
Mini alphabet stickers (SEW)

I hope you enjoyed my sewing-themed project, and that I have inspired you to create a shadow box in whatever theme you love. Be sure to check out the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Store for all your chipboard needs, and see all the new laser cut chippies.   The blog always has more inspiration from the team, so stop by often to see what we are all up to. 

As always, thanks for stopping by and have a creative weekend!

Barbara