sewchet

August 19, 2015
by sewchet 33 Comments

How To Make A Child’s Teepee Wigwam

I know it’s bad form to utter the ‘C’ word while it’s still the school Summer holidays, but my August make for the Minerva Craft Blogger Network is this beautiful Teepee, which is indeed a Christmas present for a little girl in the family.

I have to admit that this is not the first Christmas present I’ve made this year as I tend to make them all year round, as and when an idea springs to mind, but it’s definitely my favourite so far.

Isn’t it sweet?

There are LOTS of tutorials out there showing many ways to make your own wigwam, but none of them were quite what I wanted, so this is my version which is suitable for a toddler – adjust the measurements upwards to make a larger tent for older children.

It is an amalgamation of several basic designs that I’ve come across which I have then personalised to suit the recipient using various appliquéd motifs and letters.

This lovely fabric bundle arrived from Minerva: –

The white base fabric for the teepee is a thick cotton drill which makes a nice, strong tent. I also chose two contrasting fabrics which are lighter weight cottons; a gorgeous ‘Cath Kidston’ inspired floral cotton poplin and a dusky pink polycotton.

You will need: –

2 1/2m of cotton drill
1m floral fabric
1m plain fabric
selection of scraps from your stash
4 x plastic overflow pipe, each measuring 2.00m x 22mm (99p each from Wickes)
A leather shoelace or similar

Using the large diagram as a guide, fold your 2 1/2m of white fabric in half lengthwise and cut out as shown.

You should now have three equally sized triangles and two half-triangles. Stitch the two half-triangles together along the long straight edge with a narrow seam to make a single triangle. (I cut mine wrong, hence the off-centre seam!)

The bottom edges can be hemmed if you wish, although I left mine as the selvedge forms the bottom.

Cut rectangles of fabric out of the contrast floral fabric as per the two smaller diagrams, then make about 4m of bias binding using your plain fabric.

(See my tutorial here on how to make bias binding).

Apply bias binding to one side and lower edge of the two large pieces of floral fabric – these will form your front curtains.

To shape the sides of the curtains to match the slope of the wigwam, place a large white triangle over the curtain, bottom edges matching and raw edges up the side. Your floral fabric will poke out beyond the edge of the triangle as seen below.

Cut off the excess floral fabric.

Take a curtain and pin the top edge to the bottom edge of your small white triangle, wrong sides together.

Take your other curtain and pin over the top of the first curtain.

It should now look like this.

Sew together using a flat fell seam. (This previous post shows how to make a flat fell seam.)

You can leave it plain as this type of seam leaves a nice neat finish, but I chose to decorate mine with a strip of bias binding and a row of pom pom trim from my stash.

Similar pompom trim can be bought here.

Make the curtain tiebacks as follows.

Fold the small floral rectangles in half lengthwise and stitch a small seam along one short and the long side.

Turn and press.

With raw edges matching, pin and baste about halfway down the unfinished sloping edge of each curtain.

Take a large white triangle and cut a 25 x25cm square for the window the base of which should be about 58cm up from the bottom edge.

Snip diagonally into each corner by 1cm and fold in a 1cm double hem. Pin in place.

Stitch, sewing across corners as shown.

Cut two little curtains, each one 15 x 27cm.

Hem all four edges and trim the opening edges with more pom pom trim.

Make two tiny curtain tiebacks: –

Fold a 10cm length of bias binding in half lengthways and stitch close to the edge.

Stitch a 1cm square piece of velcro to one end.

Pin curtain to window at top and side.

Insert tieback under curtain about 10cm up from the lower edge, velcro side uppermost as shown.

Stitch curtain in place, catching tieback in seam as you go.

Sew the other piece of velcro to the inside of the window.

You can continue to decorate your teepee or just sew the sides together at this point – just scroll down to the relevant section.

I personalised this one with a name which I first printed out on card using Cooper std font in size 240pt. Separating the letters makes them easier to cut out. For best results use a craft knife.

Fuse a piece of interfacing onto the wrong side of your contrast fabric and trace around each of the letters making sure you reverse them first.

(I have plenty in my stash, but you can buy interfacing here at Minerva.)

Cut around each letter carefully using embroidery scissors for accuracy.

Pin the letters in place and sew above the window using a satin stitch on your machine.

I decorated the sides of the teepee with a mixture of appliquéd flowers and butterflies – just click the links below to download the PDF for these.

Butterflies

Flowers

Each motif was interfaced before being cut out and sewn on with satin stitch as before.

They look quite nice on the wrong side as well!

Now for putting the whole teepee together.

Start by sewing each of the four sections together at the side seams, wrong sides together, in a 1cm seam.

Turn so that right sides are now facing each other and sew a 4cm seam (effectively just a huge French seam) which will create the tubes through which your pipes will pass.

Sew a small square of velcro onto the front door curtains in the same way as before, and a matching piece inside the curtain close to the seam.

Cut the pipes to 1800mm in length and thread through the casings.

(You may have to trim an inch or two from the top of the teepee to make room for all the poles like I had to).

Tie a leather shoelace or other cording around the top of the tent to keep the poles in place.

And that’s it!

I had to get a photo with the chickens!

Hopefully I haven’t ruined the surprise as I’m pretty certain this little girl’s mother doesn’t read my blog!

As this teepee only takes up about one square metre of floor space, it is ideal for indoor use and, I suspect, this one will live permanently in her bedroom as a quiet reading nook.

Teepees aren’t only for girls though – what little boy wouldn’t love his own pirate version using this pirate fabric from Minerva?

Or how about a unisex wigwam to suit a brother and sister with this gorgeous Kite print?

Wouldn’t it look lovely draped with fairy lights and bunting?

In fact I might just go and make some bunting now……

August 15, 2015
by sewchet 9 Comments

A Quote A Day For Three Days – Day Three

See my previous two posts for how this works and what it is about.

For my final quote, I have chosen the one that has the most potential to change the world we live in – how massive is that?

Very simple – easy to remember but, apparently, even easier to forget. Here is my Quote For Day Three:-

“Do as you would be done by”.

Rather than nominating anyone to post three quotes of their own, I shall just say that if any of you have any inspirational words to make us stop and think, we would love to hear them so feel free to join in!

August 14, 2015
by sewchet 9 Comments

A Quote A Day For Three Days – Day Two

See yesterday’s post which tells you what this is all about.

Again, I’m sure there are more eloquent ways of saying this, but this is the short, sharp version.

Quote For Day Two: –

“Put ‘Can’t’ up your arse and TRY!”

August 13, 2015
by sewchet 13 Comments

A Quote A Day For Three Days

I’ve really enjoyed reading these as and when other bloggers have taken up the banner and joined in.

If you’re new to it, it is exactly what it says on the tin, so to speak and I am happy to add my input.

Gardening Nirvana nominated me for this little jolly and I am re-posting her snippet from Pauline’s blog when it was her turn:

“…like so many of my friends here in the world of blogging, I’m not much given to following rules and I’m hoping some of you might just like to keep the thing alive by posting a quote on your own blog and you can nominate or not – according to how you feel about rules. Let me know if you pick up the banner.

This is what I think about ‘Quotes’: Quotes can be read and not understood. Quotes can be read and not seen. For a quote to have meaning, I must attempt to live it.”

And so, to break the rules even further, all three of my quotes are my own words which I quote to my children at relevant points in their lives, although I’m sure somebody else must have said them originally.

Quote For Day One: –

“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”

August 12, 2015
by sewchet 29 Comments

How To Make A Mobile Phone Case

Everyone has a mobile (cell) phone nowadays and cases get tatty pretty quickly what with all that in-out wear and tear, so here’s a quick guide to making a new one.

They use so little fabric and are quick to make that they would make a great present, especially if you personalise it like I have done, with a name and motif.

Here’s how: –

Cut out your motif leaving a little fabric around all sides.

Iron a small pieces of interfacing to the reverse of the motif.

Pin the motif onto the fabric you are going to make the case out of.

Drop the feed dogs, remove the presser foot and free-machine embroider the motif to the base fabric. In this instance, I just followed the curly white lines with white thread.

(You can use Bondaweb or similar to fuse the motif to the base fabric if you would prefer the no-sew option.)

Trim away the excess fabric from the motif, cutting close to the stitching.

Repeat the process for the back and add any other details at this point too – I also embroidered the name of the recipient using the machine.

Measure your ‘phone and add a seam allowance, then cut your appliquéd sections, lining and wadding to the same size.

Sandwich a layer of wadding between the lining and main fabric and pin together. Baste through all three layers.

With lining pieces facing out and motifs facing in, pin front to back.

Stitch around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open.

Trim the seams and finish neatly by enclosing in a thin ribbon.

Turn out the right way.

A strip of bias binding is then stitched all the way around the top opening edge to enclose the raw edges.

This will be winging its way to Italy in a few weeks when I have finished the matching yarn bag.

The wooly sheep motif is ideal for a yarn addict like Tajana, but you could easily adapt your design to suit other hobbies or passions.

Maybe a fish motif for a keen fisherman, or a cat/dog for an animal lover?

What would you choose to put on the front if you were making a phone case as a gift?

August 10, 2015
by sewchet 44 Comments

Sunday Sevens #48

The Summer holidays are flying by – where did last week go???

Another busy week with The Boys and we’ve done some fun things over the past seven days; here are a few of them.

Went to the Arnolfini in Bristol where there was a Graffiti exhibition on show.

2. Picnic at Ashton Court with No.1, No.2 and No.3 Sons.

The Picnic Blanket had its first proper outing:)

3. These little egg bucket egg cups were a gift and are getting plenty of use during the holidays as we can take our time over breakfast.

The eggs are fresh-out-of-the-hen fresh!

4. Took The Boys to Bristol Aquarium which they loved.

5. Having done the Shaun The Sheep Trail in London at Easter, we spotted a few in Bristol too. This one was right outside the entrance to the Aquarium.

6. Made a ‘phone case for Tajana as part of our gift exchange after finding out her attempts had been unsuccessful.

7. Mr. H-L and our friend had their backs and bottoms waxed for charity. I haven’t laughed so much for ages – their screams were hilarious!

8. An extra photo this week just to clear the last image from your traumatised minds!

The Boys upcycled T-shirts found their way into Love Sewing magazine alongside another blogging buddy, Lazy Daisy Jones🙂

If you would like to join in with seven photos of your week, find out more over at Threads & Bobbins.

August 6, 2015
by sewchet 36 Comments

How To Make A Quick And Easy iPad Sleeve

In my last Sunday Sevens post I mentioned that I treated myself to a little something from the Apple store in Exeter.

It was an iPad mini, which I’ve wanted for a while now, ever since I injured my neck and had to close my photographic business in November (years of carrying heavy equipment around my neck).

Since I no longer have to sit in my office and turn my huge iMac on every day, I thought it would be nice to have something more portable so that I could blog or browse the web from the lounge/garden/kitchen – anywhere but shut away on my own in the office.

Although I also bought a separate Logitech keyboard which affords a little protection to the iPad, I couldn’t wait to pop into my sewing room and whip up a quick and easy sleeve.

The same method could be applied when making a sleeve for any tablet, mobile ‘phone or kindle.

Here’s what I did: –

Measure the device, add a seam allowance to all sides and cut out the following pieces.

1 front
1 back
2 lining
2 wadding

I used scraps and had to have different fabrics for the front and back.

Start by sandwiching a piece of wadding between the front and a lining piece. Pin all layers together and baste all the way around.

Repeat with the back.

Trim any excess wadding.

Cut enough bias binding to go around all four edges plus an extra length for the opening edge. You can use ready made or follow my tutorial on how to make your own bias binding.

I used an old tea towel!

Pin the bias binding to a short edge of the back and stitch in place.

Repeat with the front.

Pin the front to the back and baste together around three sides, leaving the top opening free.

Fold under the raw edge on the remaining bias binding.

Pin the bias binding to the sleeve around the three sides, enclosing all the layers and stitch in place.

Not my neatest piece of work as it was only for me and whipped up in a hurry whilst supper was cooking, but it was completely free using bits from my stash.

You could spend more time and make it more polished, especially if it is to be a gift for someone.

And there you have it – a quick and easy sleeve for your iPad, iPad mini, mobile ‘phone, laptop, tablet, kindle……….

August 4, 2015
by sewchet 31 Comments

Cocktails & Canapés

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to a Cocktails & Canapés fundraising event at a good friend’s house, to take place in her garden on a balmy Summer’s evening in July.

Whilst this all sounded rather wonderful, there was one obvious obstacle – the state of the garden!

Overgrown with weeds, the fence had also partially fallen down and broken glass from the old greenhouse littered the gravel.

Clearly, a lot of work was needed to tidy up the garden enough to make it a relaxing and pleasant environment in which to spend an entire evening, so all hands were on deck to muck in and help.

Her eldest son and her father-in-law (in the background) set to work sprucing up the tired garden furniture with a few coats of suitable paint or oil.

Didn’t they turn out well?

The derelict octagonal aluminium framed greenhouse had lost all of its glass and weeds had long since replaced the tomatoes.

A parasol whose pole had broken made the perfect weatherproof roof for the greenhouse which, with the addition of some fabric panels and bunting, was transformed into a fabulous cocktail bar!

Mr. H-L did a great job of fixing the fencing and strengthening the ‘bar’ worktops, and the bunting from my gazebo at home lends a celebratory air to the area.

The Boy’s black/white board served as a useful stand for the cocktails menu.

The bar was stocked with all manner of ingredients and accessories, all essential elements in the strive to make the perfect cocktail.

Several seating areas were created to form conversational groups.

Hedges were trimmed, lawn was mown, gravel was weeded and finally, after more than a week’s solid hard work, this is the result!

The evening kicked off with a glass of bubbly to set the mood.

Our hostess served the most delicious homemade canapés throughout the entire night.

The Boys even had a whole platter to themselves!

As dusk gradually fell, the garden filled up with guests, all eager to sample the fine food and drink on offer.

Our host found his calling as cocktail inventor supreme!

The best Cosmopolitan I’ve ever tasted….

…and a totally dangerous Vodka Martini were just a couple that we tried throughout the night.

The atmosphere was amazing, helped by neon lighting around the bar and numerous candles and lanterns dotted around the garden, and disco tunes from the 70s and 80s that were playing through an ad hoc speaker system.

No.3 Son eventually collapsed about ten thirty, curled up cosily under one of my crocheted blankets and fell fast asleep until we left after midnight.

No.2 Son lasted the distance wrapped up in another of my blankets, but slept in until gone nine the next morning.

A brilliant night was had by all and we were delighted to find out that over £350 had been raised for the cause – and what better way to get your garden done than to set yourself a tight deadline of a garden party and ask all your friends to help?!

Might have to try that……

August 2, 2015
by sewchet 37 Comments

Sunday Sevens #47

Welcome to this week’s #sundaysevens, as thought up by Nat over at Threads & Bobbins – a weekly blog series featuring seven photographs of your week to show a bit more about the person behind the blog.

1. Spent the first part of the week with my cousin in her second home in Cornwall. Here she is outside the cottage with her sons and two dogs. You can see more photos of the cottage in last year’s post here.

2. Our first visit to The Eden Project which was very busy but better than I expected it to be. The sheer scale of the project is mindblowing and continually evolving.

There is a dinosaur exhibition on at the moment, complete with life size dinosaurs operated by people within.

The dinosaurs are so realistic that the human’s legs have to be showing to show that is just a dressing up costume, so that the children are not scared half to death!

The actors inside were brilliant and did a great job of ‘hunting’ down the adults amongst us whilst being quiet and gentle with the kiddies.

3. Treated myself in the Apple store….

4. Cracking on with those crochet dolls and accessories.

5. Eldest step-daughter’s graduation as a mature student – here she is with the proud dad-to-be.

6. Naked cricket in the garden – Mr. H-L even mowed a cricket pitch for them!

7. My daughter and her boyfriend came over for lunch today and some fun in the sun which included the pool and some more cricket. What a glorious day it has been so far!

That’s it for this week – now time for a refill and catch a few more rays while it’s still hot out. Hope it’s been nice where you are:)

July 29, 2015
by sewchet 53 Comments

Make-Your-Own Espadrilles

Another day, another birthday present to make, only this time it is something a bit unusual – a pair of handmade espadrilles!

I’ve made slippers and things along those lines before, but never a bonafide pair of shoes.

The soles were by Prym and purchased online from The Makery in Bath.

The box includes templates for the uppers in various adult sizes, but I heeded advice from others who have previously made them and went down a size when making them. I cut out a UK size 5 for the recipient who has size 6 feet, and they fitted perfectly without slipping off.

Although there were no instructions in the box, full step-by-step photographs can be found on the Prym website and it was those I followed.

If you are tempted to have a go at these be aware that seam allowances are NOT included – you have to add your own before cutting out!

I had a small amount of “Rosetta” fabric left over from making this cushion and make up bag, and decided to team it with a deep pink spotty lining.

The pattern consists of just two pieces – one for across the front and one for the heel.

I added some fusible interfacing to the outside sections just to give the shoe some extra strength and stability.

I also stretched a two-inch length of narrow elastic at the ankle edge just to make sure the shoes would stay on.

The main fabric is sewn to the lining right sides together, then turned through a gap left in the stitching.

I top stitched the elastic through all the layers for a strong and neat finish.

The toe section is sewn and turned in exactly the same way, cutting across the corners and notching around the curves as necessary.

Next comes the fun bit!

You will need a leather needle to sew through the soles as the wedged point makes light work of it where a standard needle would hurt your finger after a while.