Monday 11 August 2014

Repairing a Sewing Box


For some reason I have ended up with three sewing boxes.  For years two of them have been in this state, next to useless.  Every time a screw was replaced it would work itself loose. Eventually screws and washers would get lost.



The smallest and prettiest box is of a far more ingenious design.



The corners have a triangular wedge glued into them...



...and the compartments pivot on a rod of dowelling set through all three tiers.




This box has spent a bit of quality time in the shed with my husband.  The annoying loose bars and screws have gone...




... and he has put wedges in the corners and dowelling.




The handles needed to have a small section shaved out to give the compartments room to swivel.



Now I can open up the whole sewing box at once.  It is ideal for storing my quilting threads, because I can see them all at a glance instead of rummaging through a tin.



An added bonus is that the compartments can be lifted off the dowelling...



... so if I just want a few of the colours to hand, they are all together in their own little tray.

My husband offered to fill in the old screw holes and clean the box up to make it a bit smarter. No need, I said, I was too thrilled and grateful already.   

Welcome to six new followers today - Martha Davis, Sharyn Mallow Woerz, Scrappy 101, M. Verheij, Laurel Braunstein and Gretchen.  Thank you for joining!

Linking up with Connie's blog Freemotion by the River for Linky Tuesday

10 comments:

  1. My first thought was 'ooh, look at all those lovely threads', my second is 'well done husband!' I hadn't seen it before so most impressed with dowel method for the box: it is clever.

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    Replies
    1. Nifty job, isn't it Kaja. I haven't been using the boxes because they have been so rickety and annoying, but now I just want to gaze at my threads.

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  2. My mum has one of these! Haven't seen them in shops for years!

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    1. Hello Laura,

      One of these boxes belonged to my mum, and the other two I found in charity shops years ago. I have found that you can still get them, but I have been slightly taken aback by the prices. I'm old enough to convert prices into pounds, shillings and guineas.
      http://sewing-online.com/equipment/work_boxes_and_storage/wooden_work_box/

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  3. I love the way you're using these charming boxes for your threads. The reconfiguration is brilliant! Clever you, clever husband!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Lindaroo. My husband is a star.

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  4. Your husband sounds like mine, very handy and accomodating. What beautiful boxes! So glad you are using them. Love, Linda

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    1. Practical and uncomplicated husbands are a Godsend. When I read your blog I love seeing the things your husband has done for you.

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  5. My hubbie bought me one of these from a second hand shop. It’s very loose and screws ect have been lost. My hubbie past away last year, so thankful for sharing this, I can now fix it.

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    Replies
    1. So sorry to hear about your husband. I hope you can fix the sewing box without too much trouble. It would be lovely to be able to use the box and have it as a keepsake to remember him.
      Love, Muv

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