Created for The Caron Collection by Too Sisters Designs
Model Stitched by Carolyn Hotchkiss & Tisha Kuntz
Click here to learn about Too Sisters Designs
For materials needed and specific
instructions for stitching the canvas pieces with the various
varieties of threads used to make Rachel's Box, refer to Part I.
Click Here for Rachel's Box Charts for Part II
Preparing the canvas:
Cut out the other 5 pieces of plastic canvas that will make
up the body of the box. Cutting the pieces to size before stitching
them makes them easier to handle. Then you won't have to worry
about cutting the wrong pieces later, accidentally unraveling
your work.
The sizes of the 5 remaining pieces are as follows:
Bottom 41 holes x 28 holes
Front 41 holes x 17 holes
Back 41 holes x 17 holes
Left Side 28 holes x 17 holes
Right Side 28 holes x 17 holes
When these 5 pieces of canvas have been stitched, you should
have six pieces of stitched plastic canvas (including the lid
from Part I) looking like the illustration below:
The Stitched Pieces of Rachel's Box
Finishing Instructions:
Step 1. Using three strands (one length) of Watercolours,
you will now use the whipstitch (or overcast stitch) to secure
the rest of the pieces together.
Whipstitch or Overcast Stitch
First, whipstitch the front and back pieces to the bottom
of the box. Then, whipstitch the sides of the box to the bottom
piece. You will end up with the five pieces joined in a cross
shape (please see the illustration below). You may trace this
outline onto a piece of paper, to use as the template for cutting
out the felt lining.
The Five Pieces of Rachel's Box Joined Together
(into a cross shape when flat)
Step 2. Using two strands of DMC Perle Cotton, you will then
use the whipstitch to cast over the top edges of the front, back
and sides of the box.
This will be on the opposite side to the side that you just
whipstitched to the bottom.
Step 3. Using three strands (one length) of Watercolours,
use the whipstitch to carefully stitch together the four sides
of the box.
This brings the sides up and creates the box, giving it its
final shape. You may want to start at the bottom and work your
way toward the top.
Step 4. Fit the felt in place to the box, trim any excess
if needed.
Remove adhesive backing (or apply fabric glue lightly if not using a pre-adhesive product) and then carefully apply
to inside of box. Make sure to fit the felt snugly along all
edges.
Rachel's Box Completed
Congratulations! Your box is done! Fill it with trinkets or
whatever you choose, or give it as a special gift to someone
you love.
Note from Too Sisters:
We used the colors specified in the chart for our model. You
may use any color of Watercolours, however, because we'd
like you to use your favorite colors. Choose the color
you like the best, then pick complementary colors for the Rachel
and the Perle Cotton. Your box will then become your very own,
featuring the colors you enjoy the most!
Carolyn and Tisha, the Too Sisters, have been very busy since
we last spoke with them!
Although they've been unusually quiet for the past several
months, due to their father's battle with esophageal cancer and
subsequent passing on March 20th, many new designs have been
in development. By the end of the year, their current product
line of 21 charts will almost double as they plan to add another
14 designs to the Too Sisters array.
"It's been a challenge to keep the design process in
full-swing during a huge remodeling project, as well as throughout
Daddy's illness," Carolyn said. "But now we have a
beautiful new living space that doubles as a needlework studio.
Good thing, since we basically had 50% of the house demolished
and rebuilt over the past few months!" The renovated house
signifies much more than added space for the designing duo. It
was also discovered that Tisha has a hidden talent for interior
design. Her new company, Verdugo Hills Interiors, launched a
business association with Dan McCluskey's Crest Construction,
catapulting Too Sisters Designs into part of a full-fledged interiors
and home accessories company.
"Hey, who knew? Well, okay, the General Contractor knew,"
Tisha admitted, laughing. "You just never know what's around
the corner, which is why the needlework industry so fulfilling.
All of a sudden, the needlework design path has taken us in a very exciting direction. Wouldn't it be fun if we ended
up like Mary Engelbreit or Lynette Jennings?" In addition
to high-end interiors with very creative touches, the future
holds promise of both custom-painted furniture and accessories
lines. "We're looking forward to taking our love of bright,
bold colors into the home accessories market. It might take a
while for that to catch on, but good things will happen."
"We're not sure the world is ready for us yet,"
Carolyn said, giggling, "but they will be soon. Lois Caron
will be able to take credit for it all, too, because she gave
us our start!"
If you would like to explore how Too Sisters Designs uses
overdyed fibers in their work, here is a list of current (and
forthcoming) charts featuring products from The Caron Collection:
"North by Loch Ness" - winner of the Nautical Themed
contest by The Caron Collection at:
http://www.caron-net.com/galleryfiles/galjuly.html
"Friendship Hearts"
"Barb's Batik"
"Ho Ho Ho"
"Happy Hearts"
Too Sisters' Online Classes and Designs Featured
on The Caron Collection website include:
"Tulip
Trio" at http://www.caron-net.com/mar99files/mar99cla.html
"Winged Wonder" at http://www.caron-net.com/july00files/jul00dch1.html
"Rachel's Box"
For a special Designer Spotlight featuring Tisha and Carolyn
and Too Sisters Designs go to:
http://www.caron-net.com/july00files/jul00des.html
To learn more, contact the ladies at:
Too Sisters Designs
http://www.toosisters.com
Post Office Box 10843
Burbank, CA 91510
(818) 559-6567
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nor the included diagrams/illustrations can be reproduced or
distributed in any form (including electronic) or used as a teaching
tool without the prior written permission of the CARON Collection
Ltd. One-time reproduction privileges provided to our web site
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