A {Early} Valentine's Day Present!

 I was on the HellomynameisHeather blog today and saw this adorable free pattern that I had to share! Consider it an early Valentine's gift from Heather Bailey! 

"Here's a sweet little project that goes together quickly -- a bow-tied box for treats or trinkets.  Perfect for displaying tasty truffles and candies for your Valentine or hip paperclips and doo-dads for your desk.  The pattern and instructions below are for one 3" x 3" x 1 1/4" tray.  However, once you have the hang of it, you can scale the design up or down as needed. Imagine tasty trays for sewing supplies, post-it notes, business cards, candies, jewelry, buttons, keys, coasters..."

MATERIALS LIST 

(for one 3" x 3" x 1 1/4" tray) 

7” x 7” fabric* (use a Layer Cake!)

7” x 7” lining fabric* 

3/4 yd narrow piping 

1 1/3 yd ribbon, 1/8” wide 

8” x 10” stiff, thin cardboard 

Thread 

HELPFUL TOOLS 

Pins, scissors, needle, liquid seam sealant (such a s Fray Check™)

* Suitable fabrics include laminated cotton, quilting-weight cotton, light-weight decorator fabric, and other light to medium-weight woven fabrics like Heather's gorgeous line Nicey Jane!

INSTRUCTIONS 
A. Cut Out Fabric & Cardboard – Click here to download pattern pieces. Using pattern, cut one 5 7/8” square of fabric and one 5 7/8” square of lining fabric. Round corners per pattern & clip at circles to mark ribbon placement. Of cardboard, cut one 3” square, and cut four 1” x 3” rectangles.  If cardboard is flimsy, cut two sets & glue corresponding pieces together to stiffen.

B. Baste Piping to Tray Exterior – Baste piping to tray exterior. Or use Glue-Baste-It! Join piping at one black circle by overlapping piping neatly. Trim.

C. Attach Ribbon Ties – Cut eight pieces of ribbon, each 6” long. With a small stitch-length, sew one ribbon to tray at each black circle, on top of piping; stitch back & forth across ribbon to secure well.

D. Sew Lining to Exterior – With right-sides-together, pin lining to exterior. Sew around tray, leaving one side open between black circles. Notch curve at each corner. Turn tray right-side-out through opening in seam.

E. Insert Cardboard & Stitch Around Sides – Insert one rectangular cardboard piece into tray;  butt cardboard up to stitching at side of tray opposite from opening, beneath the seam allowance on exterior side of tray. Secure cardboard in place by stitching 1 1/8” away from fabric edge (not piping edge) along stitching line shown on tray pattern, beginning & ending at black circles. See illustration. Be sure stitching runs alongside cardboard & does not go through it & ribbons are not caught in seam. Insert another cardboard rectangle at one adjacent side & stitch as before. Repeat at opposite side of tray. Slide cardboard square into place at center of tray & stitch along last stitching line, parallel to opening. Insert last cardboard rectangle into opening. Fold tray lining edge under 1/4” & ladder-stitch to close opening in seam.

F. Tie Corner Bows & Trim – Fold sides up & hold corners together with a pin. Tie two ribbons at each corner into a bow. Once tied, trim ribbons to desired lengths. Finish ribbon ends with liquid seam sealant to prevent fraying.

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