Red Treasure Box by Di Kirchner

Is there anything more beguiling than a treasure box? The name alone is enticing. As soon as you show someone a box and tell them there’s something inside, you’ve immediately arrested their attention. What could it be?

Then, to really get their imagination running wild, let them know it’s a box of treasures!

Now here’s the tricky part… when you say treasures, is it your kind of treasure or their kind of treasure? What is your definition of treasure?

Rubies and diamonds? Pearl earrings and sapphire rings? A gold watch and silver bracelets?

How about treasured memories such as photographs and love letters? Or is a decadent box of the world’s best chocolates more your currency?

For those of us smitten with stitching, we know that the best kind of treasure boxes are filled with an amazing array of gloriously embroidered needlework accessories.

And that is exactly what Di Kirchner has blessed us with when she created Red Treasure Box from Inspirations issue #116.

How did such a beautiful project come to be? Let’s ask Di herself…

‘I started this project during a Covid lockdown in 2020 when I had lots of time on my hands. I have always loved antiques and especially pretty objects. So as a passionate embroiderer, antique chatelaines, etuis, needlework tools, boxes and tables are my favourite. I often browse books, Pinterest, Instagram or Auction House websites in search of ideas.’

‘Two fabulous designers and teachers, Christine P. Bishop and Betsy Morgan, were also part of my inspiration for this project.

I started with the bicornu pincushion and decided to continue making a set of needlework accessories. At the beginning I only planned to make the biscornu, scissor fob, needlebook and needle stand but more ideas kept coming the more I was engrossed in the process.’

‘So along came the needle minder, scissor case and thread holder, and then the box to keep them all in. Because it felt like I had all the time in world and no pressure, I would quite happily stitch all day.

Mind you I did dream about it at night on quite a few occasions! For those that know me I do get a little obsessive at times with my work.’

Your obsessive approach is evident in the final result Di, this is such an Aladdin’s cave of treasures you have made for us.

Everything has been beautifully presented in matching counted thread designs and finished in striking red. Did you always have the idea of using a singular colour?

‘There is something eye catching and formal about stitching in just a single colour like red. I chose the natural-coloured linen because this was softer to look at than white and is a very complementary background for the red DMC 498 thread.’

Well, we certainly agree with your impeccable selection of colour scheme and materials. Red Treasure Box is stunning, everything has been so well thought through and perfectly executed, one can’t help but fall in love with it. Thank you Di!

Whether you too have fallen in love with just one of the accessories or want to re-create the whole box filled with needlework treasures, this project will be a joy to stitch and a joy to treasure.

Make Your Own Red Treasure Box

Step 1 – Purchase Project Instructions

Red Treasure Box by Di Kirchner is a beautiful, counted thread etui containing several needlework accessories.

Step 2 – Purchase Ready-To-Stitch Kit

The Inspirations Ready-To-Stitch kit for Red Treasure Box includes everything* you need to re-create this stunning etui: Fabrics (unprinted), wool flannel, wadding, metal rings, magnets, beads, template plastic, mat board, cardboard, sewing thread, embroidery threads, needles. Please Note: Kit does not include wooden reel.

*Please Note: To cater for flexibility of purchase, instructions are not included with our kits. For step-by-step directions on how to create this project, please refer to the magazine/digital pattern.