Matchbox Advent Tutorial

I was recently in a swap that involved matchboxes being altered. I had never done any of these and I had a great time completing my 25. Since I work with fabric/lace etc. that is what I covered my boxes with. Not as complicated as you might think. Below is a tutorial on my process of altering the boxes.
1. Pick out the fabric of your choice or you can use decorative paper. As I am not a paper scraper I chose to use fabric.
2. Tacky glue
3. Hot glue gun
4. Laces
5. Craft wire for the hanger
6. Beads if you like
7. Rosettes
8. Small tags to write the number of the box on
10. Sharpie, scissors and your usual crafty items

Measure your matchbox so around so you can cut out the correct length of fabric. In this case I cut a length of fabric 2 1/2"  and cut it down to fit the box. Apply tacky glue to the whole outside of the box and starting at the short side of the box lay your fabric on top of the glue. Be sure and smooth as you go so you have no wrinkles in the fabric. The outside of your box should look like this when finished with this step. Next you cut out an inside swatch of fabric and glue to the inside of the matchbox.

 All 25 matchboxes completed for stage one.

 Next using your hot glue gun and the lace and bobbles and bits that you have chosen you glue them on. As you can see I started at one end and just applied the hot glue going around the box. Then placed the lace on the hot glue section and pressed all the way around until it held. Be careful to keep the lace straight as it can and will shift as you rotate the box around.

 Here is the finished block all ready for the little ornament to be places inside.

 

You can go here to see more and check out the tutorials for those who use scrapping paper and such.     

When my swapped out boxes arrive here in Nov. I will post pics to let you see the variety that I received in the swap. 

Happy Stitching,

Wendy