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Diamond Dangle/Gift Box

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Diamond dangle
A christmas tree decoration that can double up as a gift box!
Materials

  • Thin card - cereal box or similar
  • Decorative fabric - craft cotton is easiest to work with - 20cm square
  • Double sided sticky tape and a fast drying glue
  • Cord/bead rope/pins/tassles to decorate
  • Large eyed needle

Step 1
Diamond Dangle Template

Diamond Dangle template
Measure out a diamond shape like the one below with each side 6cm in length
Step 1 picture
Trace around the template and cut out 3 card diamonds. Score across the centre of each one from short point to short point with the back of your scissors - this will help the card to bend evenly.
Step 2
Step 2 Picture
Lay each piece of card score side down onto the reverse of your fabric, cut by eye leaving a 1cm seam allowance - this does not have to be accurate as long as there's enough fabric to turn over the edge of the card.
Step 3
Step 3 Picture
Run a strip of double sided tape around the edge of each card piece, remove backing paper on tape and fold over edges of fabric neatly. Neaten the long points of the diamond by folding in fabric and removing excess, a little more tape or a spot of glue maybe needed.

** Make sure the scored side of the card is against the reverse of the fabric.

Step 4
Step 4 Picture
With right sides together sew two shapes along the one side from one long end to the centre, small over-sewing stitches are easiest.
Step 5
Step 5 Picture
Sew all three together like this then fold into a diamond shape and sew the last seam from the outside.
Step 6

Fold the top sections in and sew all the sections together, slip a piece of cord for hanging into the top and secure it as you sew.

Step 7

Step 7 Picture
Decorate with bead rope, sequins, braid and tassels, using the fast drying glue to secure.

** Safety tip: If you have small children in the house and you decorate with headed pins, ensure they are glued in place.

Making the Dangle into a gift box.
diamond dangle blue
Before sewing the card pieces together, cover one half of the reverse sides with a piece of fabric.  This will give a neater finish when the box is opened.
Sweing together
Sew together the bottom sections and leave the top sections open.

Decorate as before - not using pins!! - fixing the braid etc. onto one edge of each of the open sections.

threading diamond dangle
Thread a piece of cord for hanging onto a large eyed needle.  Push through the top of each section and pull together.  Knot across the top of the dangle to hold it closed. Tie the ends of the cord into a hanger. Cut the cord to open.

Thanks to Pat Lumsdale of NFWI Unit at Denman who devised and constructed this project.

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