This month, in honor of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (born: August 19, 1883 died: January 10, 1971), I wrote a Celebration Post about the famous French fashion designer. In Part One of a two part series I discuss her personal and professional life in which she changed what women had been previously wearing. As a result of my research in writing the post, I decided to create a Chanel-inspired Shadowbox. I made two variations of the shadowbox; one a traditional Chanel style version and a second one that was more personalized using the first initial of my daughter’s name.
Chanel-Inspired Shadowbox – supplies
- Shadowbox frame, size will be determined by the size of letters used
- Letters, version #1 uses the traditional double C that mimics the Chanel logo and version #2 uses the first initial of my daughter’s name, which happens to be a C
- Quilted fabric, used to mimic a classic Chanel purse. Craft note: while shopping in my local craft stores I could not find black quilted leather fabric but I did find a dark purple one, so I decided to use black paint to cover the purple color and it turned out great!
- Pearls, version #2 used pearls stickers
- Glue gun, glue sticks
- (Optional) gold or white paint
Chanel-Inspired Shadowbox – instructions
- Disassemble the shadowbox, remove glass and frame backing and keep to cardboard backing to use later.
- Cut a piece of quilted leather fabric to fit the size of the selected shadowbox. Craft tip: Wrap the fabric around a piece of strong cardboard to create a more solid and stable surface.
- Attach the initial to the quilted fabric. Craft note: in version #1 the gold initials used had a self-sticking back and in version #2 I attached the white initial that I used with a glue gun and glue stick.
- (Optional ideas: Use pearls to embellish the display. Version #1 – the edge of the fabric surrounding the frame could have a string of pearls attached to further enhance the “Chanel” look (I opted not to add the pearls). Version #2 – I add self-stick pearls attached to the white initial.
- Re-assemble the shadowbox, replace glass and frame backing.
