Midi-Cigar Box Haberdashery Stash

Fun storage: stack 'em high.

A functional box reveals...

... even more functional compartments.

Paper-punch lace trim keeps things pretty.

Modular storage compartments... have them your way! (Divisions of 6 shown.)

Divisions of 4.
 

 2,4,6... choose the mix! Just some of the possible box compartment combos. But you might just want one storage space:

Last week's project was a cantilever sewing box. The top compartment was a cigar box. I thought that it'd be handy to size the box up and add really useful storage divisions. Now there are lots of options for storing your bits and pieces. And as projects go, it is pretty easy!

Cigar boxes are sturdy, practical, and shabby chic. The ideal place to store your button hoard or other small treasures. Great as gifts!

These are half-sized cigar boxes, so although I have called them "mini", they are actually "midi" - and they can hold plenty of stuff. Small enough to be cute, but capacious enough to be useful.

The cigar boxes are all decorated with paper lace made using Tonic Studios Simplicity Geared Pattern Punch, Doily Strip Pattern (item 966e). The geared punch cuts like butter, so punching a strip to fit round the cigar box is a cinch. The basic doily lace pattern is pretty on its own - but you can craft a variety of lace effects just by scissor-snipping and weaving in a strip of 2mm (1/16") quilling paper.

Tonic doily punch: basic strip (top), lace variations achieved with scissors.

To create a wider band of lace, glue the strips together with tacky glue applied with a cocktail stick. Carefully align the holes when you glue, and you will be able to lace through them with a strip of quilling paper to conceal the join. 

The peek-a-boo diamonds are created simply by lacing the quilling strip round and round across the width of the paper ribbon.

Brad-wrap closure. Spacers under the brad give lift, so wrapping is easy.

Tie closure (less secure than brad-wrap, but pretty).

I have concentrated more on the box decorations this week because making a cigar box is pretty straightforward.  Having said that, there are a few things to remember when constructing your cigar box. After cutting out, score all folds with an embossing tool held against a metal ruler. A bone folder is handy for making crisp folds. The cigar box lid is made separately from the base. Add the brad to the lid before assembling the lid (you glue down the flaps inside before sticking top to bottom - the lid is a double-layer sealed unit). Decorate the base before inserting the brad and folding the flaps inside. Attach glue or double-sided tape to the outer side of the lid flap before joining it to the inside back of the base.

Note: if you want a tutorial on basic box construction, take a look at Sept 4th's blog, the Cantilever Sewing Box http://thepapercraftpost.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/cantilever-sewing-box-tutorial.html - the fold-in sides construction technique is similar to the method used for the Midi-Cigar Box. The fold-in flaps make a durable box - and they also conceal the construction tabs for a tidy finish.

The typeface I used is Campanile - it is available from Dafont.com. The label panel measures 11.5 x 4cm (4-1/2 x 1-1/2in). Centre it on the box lid.

Here are your pattern templates:

Stuff I used: Tonic Studios Simplicity Pattern Paper Punch (Doily Strip, 
966e).  Bazzill Basics cardstock for the cigar box itself, Inspire Me Premium Paper for the compartments. Don't forget the mini-brads and the craft thread for the closure. If you are wondering about the prop buttons, they are a mix of Jenni Bowlin Studio Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons and Doodlebug Design Boutique Buttons.

Take it from here: just a reminder that a cigar box lid provides creative space on both front and back!

That's a wrap. Plenty of time to make zillions of these by Christmas!