Make a bed for a ted

Here are all the instructions in case you want to make another quilted case. There are also some more photos of our sewing bee on Saturday for you to enjoy.

I love showing children how to sew and have particulary enjoyed introducing them to the joy of patchwork. I feel inspired to make another quilt (I just need to remember to finish all the other sewing projects before I start another one! I will keep you posted)

As an introduction to quilting we have made a pj case that can also be a bed for your favourite cuddly or a place to tuck your book away ready for each night.We had fun making these and I thought you may like to make one to. There are lots of handy tips to help you along the way. So read all the instructions carefully before you get started. happy sewing...

What do I need?

Cut out very carefully. You may need someone a little older to help you and if you have a rotary cutter and ruler you will get good results but be very careful they are very sharp. Make sure you press you fabric so its nice and flat before you start cutting.

4 x 15cm squares of fabric in two colours of your choice

1 x rectangle 38cm x 28cm white or plain fabric (This will make the back or pillow)

1 x rectangle 50cm x 28cm (this will be cut in half to make the back of the case)

1 x square 33cm x 33cm to back the pocket/ quilt

1x square 33cm x 33cm or interlining or light weight wadding

White cotton

Basic sewing set and sewing machine

Step 1. Begin by joining your four squares of fabric to make a square. Make each seam 1cm (you could mark this with chalk) and match the seams in the center. Remember to place your fabric right sides together and press each seam as you go.

Step 2.Make a quilt sandwich with the backing, wadding or interlining and the little four square quilt you have made. Tack, spray glue or pin the three layers together carefully to prevent the fabric from creeping. Your backing square and wadding will be bigger you can trim it up once it is quilted. This is in case it creeps a bit when you sew them together.We used some special tempory spray glue to hold ours together its a bit pricy but saves lots of time.

Step 3. Carefully “stitch in the ditch” this is stitching where your seams meet through all three layers. Be careful to keep everything flat. Stitch vertically and horizontally following the lines from the front to make a cross.I have shown you the back so you can see where we stitched.

Step 4. Trim around your little quilt. To take off the excess wadding and fabric backing.

Our little quilts are coming together now.

Step 5. Pin and tack into place a piece of lace or some binding along the top edge of your mini quilt to the back. Stitch into place along the edge 0.5cm a small seam. Flip the lace or binding over to the front to give you a nice neat edge,to hide the edge with the wadding press and top stitch right along the top to hold the ace in place.

Step 5. With the larger of the two rectangles cut this piece in half and hem the two edges (about2cm). This will make the opening for your case on the back. Overlap the two hemmed pieces of fabric (this is making the back) until the entire length measures 38cm. Pin or Tack the overlapping pieces together a bit like a pillow case.

Step 6. Place the little quilt right side down on the smaller rectangle, place two over lapped hemmed pieces on top right side down and pin together. You will now have 5 layers to your case in some places so pin well together and tack. Before you stitch the whole way round your case check everythn is flat and you have all the layers you may want to tack this.

Step 7 Stitch the whole way round and Trim the corners to reduce any bulk, turn inside out and push out the corners using a chopstick.

Your all done. Pop your fave cuddly in the pocket along with a book and enjoy! Our cheeky little owl had a sleeping mask to wear as well made at the sewing bee.Well done Lizzie.

Why not join us next time on June 10th to make something ready to take to the beach.

Here are a few more photos of our super stitchers. For some of these guys it was their first time on the sewing machine I think they all did really well. Love Sewsanna