Description
This sewing machine beaded box was a request from a customer. I freely confess, it has been a challenge to design and make. But with every challenge comes a learning experience. So, I’ve certainly learned a few lessons to take forward to my next beaded box!
Back to this one…what do you need to know about the sewing machine beaded box pattern?
Materials
I used size 10 delicas to make my sewing machine. In theory, it will work with size 11, but two things will happen. First, it will be very fiddly to make. Second, your box will end up really tiny and the compartments will be too small to hold anything. So, I leave it to you to decide!
Made with the size 10, this box measures about 2″ x 2″ x 1″ (that’s about 5cm x 5cm x 2.5cm). If you need some size 10 Delicas, I sell them here>>
You should use a beading thread that will give you good tension. For me, that is Fireline. But you may prefer something different, which is fine.
I invite you to use your imagination – and your stash of beads – for adding the buttons and thread. I used a combination of DiscDuos, Wheel Beads and O beads. But you may have other ideas – or other beads – to work with.
The pattern does explain what I did. It also includes details of the bead colours that I used. You can of course, use completely different colouring to me.
Experience and Techniques
You are going to be working in Peyote stitch. This is an advanced pattern. So, I have assumed that you are already very familiar with the following:
- circular and tubular
- even count
- odd count
- increasing and decreasing
- stitch-in-the-ditch
- zipping up
I do have free tutorials on this website which you can download as a reminder if you need additional help with the techniques.
About the Sewing Machine Beaded Box
As I said at the beginning, my sewing machine beaded box was a customer request. It is pretty tricky. You are going to make it in sections and join them. So, you should be very experienced before you try this.
I have given you 18 pages of written instructions, illustrated with photos and diagrams.
I based my design very loosely on the ‘Singer Blue’, with additional inspiration from my own Elna sewing machine. But you might like to use different colouring, or add different buttons and details to reflect your own favourite brand.
The box gives you four storage spaces: two square drawers, a rectangular drawer and a compartment in the top with a lift-off lid. So, you can hide lots of little gifts in this one!
