Keepsake Box

Step 1:

Cutting & Fusing Fabrics
- Before cutting exact dimensions of fabrics listed above, apply fusible web to the wrong side of all fabrics (except for silk dupioni), following manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use a decorative edge rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat to cut exact fabric dimensions.

Basic Dye Mixing Instructions
- Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.
- Dye Preparation: Wearing rubber gloves, shake dye bottle and pour one cap of dye into a glass measuring cup. Add 1 cup boiling water or very hot tap water (140 F); stir well.
Note: When staining wood, keep dye hot for better absorption. Dyes can be reheated in the microwave: Cover with plastic wrap and heat on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until steam is created. If necessary, use the dye mixing ratio in step 2 to create more dye for this project.

Dye-Stained Wood Box
- Sand wood box lightly with sandpaper. Remove dust with tack cloth.
- Using basic dye mixing instructions. prepare Apple Green dye and apply to wood box with chip brush. Completely cover box with Apple Green dye. Let dry. Note: Two coats may be necessary to achieve desired color. - Save remaining dye for buttons.
- Using a foam brush, apply one coat of Satin Varnish. Let dry.

Dyeing Buttons
- Reheat Apple Green dye solution in the microwave.
- Immerse buttons in dye for approximately 10 minutes or until desired color is achieved.
- Remove buttons, rinse, wash and let dry.

Dyeing Silk & Fabric Flowers
- Using dye mixing instructions, prepare Teal dye. Dip large fabric flowers into dye solution. Wearing rubber gloves, remove flowers immediately or when desired color is achieved. Rinse with cold water, wash with mild detergent and dry flat.
- Pour ½ of Teal dye into glass container. Add ½ cup of hot water to dye, diluting the color. Dip silk dupioni pieces into dye solution. Remove fabric, rinse, wash with mild detergent and lay flat to dry. Press with iron.
- Pin dyed silk pieces together with batting sandwiched between them. - Trace heart shape onto silk with disappearing fabric marker. Machine stitch approximately 5 times around heart. Using scissors cut 1/8” beyond heart.
- Dip remaining 1” fabric flowers into diluted Teal dye mixture. Remove flowers, rinse, wash in mild detergent and dry flat.