1990
Mother’s Day Crafts
May 1990

“Mother’s Day Crafts,” Friend, May 1990, 23

Mother’s Day Crafts

By Corliss Clayton

Treasure Box

To make your mother, grandmother, or a friend a beautiful box to hold family pictures, letters, or other treasures, you will need: a sturdy, light-colored, rectangular box with a lid; a ruler; a pencil; white, water-soluble glue; medium-weight cotton fabric (heavy enough that you can’t see through it, but thin enough that it will easily wrap around a box); and scissors. If the box lid completely conceals the sides of the box, cover only the lid. If the lid only covers the top part of the box, cover both parts.

  1. Remove the lid from the box. Measure the length and width of the box from edge to edge. This will include the length or width of the box base plus two times the depth of the sides of the box. Add 2″ (5 cm) to each of your measurements.

  2. Using a pencil, draw a rectangle the size of your measurements on the wrong side of your fabric. Cut out the rectangle.

  3. Measure in from each side along the width of the fabric the depth of the box plus one inch, then cut a 1″ (2.5 cm) slit. Repeat on the opposite side of that edge. Cut two identical slits on the opposite edge of the fabric (see illustration).

  4. Spread glue evenly over the bottom and the two ends of the box with your fingers. Quickly wash your hands so that the glue won’t get on the fabric, then center the fabric on the box and gently press onto the glued surfaces. If you don’t get the fabric centered just right, carefully adjust it. If the glue dries too quickly, moisten slightly with water.

  5. Fold the ends of the fabric into the box, and glue them in place.

  6. Spread glue on the sides of the box, wash your hands, and fold corners in, as illustrated. Fold the fabric up over the sides, press it into place, then glue the inside edges.

  7. Repeat the steps to cover the lid.

Mother’s Day Card

To make a Mother’s Day card, you will need: a 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ (14 cm x 22 cm) piece of heavyweight paper, fabric, glue, scissors, and a pencil.

  1. Fold the paper in half to make the card.

  2. Draw simple designs on the back of the fabric and cut them out.

  3. Glue the fabric designs to the front of the card.

  4. Write a Mother’s Day poem or message on the inside of the card, and sign your name.

Illustrated by Shauna Mooney