Well having now totally finished the shaker bnox from Swindon it is looking at me sort of pleading to be of use but rather like cooking where you know how good your bad your ingredients are I am only too aware of the potential fragility of the construction. Still for a first box ever I am inordinately proud of it.
However I learnt a few things along the way:-
1. Whilst attaching the sides to the base check that the grain of the silk is going in the same direction on all sides. The square ones can get turned around.
2. Check and check again that the motifs are in the right place on the band. They can look odd if they are not central on the sides.
3. It will take thicker wadding than you think. It looks a little deflated now it's finished.
4. Whilst attaching the band if your thread seems to be getting shorter quicker than you think it should, check it is not cunningly looped around a pin on the previous side. A bit of a shame to find out later.
Despite all of the above I still love my box BUT it may be a while before I make another.