March 2009

Please Note: Throughout this project you will find many hints. They will help you complete the project.

Important: The pattern pieces DO NOT have a seam allowance included. You MUST add a 1/4” seam allowance BEFORE you cut out the pattern pieces.

Materials:
Fabric scraps – 5 colors, light to medium weight cotton or cotton blends
Felt scraps – white and second color (Note: If you plan to wash this project do not use wool felt as it will shrink and the color may bleed. Chose instead a high quality synthetic felt.)
Embroidery floss for quilting
Buttons – 1 for the doorknob, 1for the flower center, and 1 cat button for the window.
Eyelet Lace - for the flower head
Thread – for sewing machine or hand sewing
Pattern
(You will need a thin batting and backing but the size will depend on how you plan to finish the block. Wee Folk Art will include patterns for a pillow, a tote bag and a banner. Fabric and batting requirements necessary to complete those projects will be included in those patterns.)

Note: Because there are many little pieces in this pattern, exact measurements are necessary.

Directions:

Preparing the pattern:
1] Make copies of the pattern pieces. (Hint: It is helpful to print the pattern on card stock since these will be used as templates and the heavier weight will make it easier to trace.

2] Cut out the pattern pieces, your templates, carefully. You will use these to trace the pattern on your fabric.

Cutting out your fabric:
3] Turn your fabric so the wrong side is showing. Place templates right side down on the fabric for tracing. (You should be looking at the back of the fabric and the back of a template.)

4] Trace your template on the back of the fabric. Make sure you mark the fabric using a pencil or marker that is colorfast or especially designed to “disappear” over time, and does not show through to the front of the fabric. Make sure the template does not move. You want your trace to be accurate.

5] After you are done tracing a piece you MUST add a seam allowance. Traditionally, quilters use a 1/4" seam allowance. (Hint: Special tools are designed to make this easier. I use a Quilt Seam Guide which is a 12” long acrylic 1/4" square rod which you can lay along a seam and mark a perfect 1/4" seam. A must have for quilters!) Mark a 1/4" seam allowance on all edges. This will be used as your cutting line, and the template marks will be used as your stitching lines.

6] Cut out the pieces as follows:
Color A (sky) – 1, 3, 4, 10
Color B (house) – 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14
Color C (grass) – 15
Color D (roof) – 2
Color E (windows and door) – 6, 8, 13
White felt (cloud) - 16
Felt (flower center) - 17
Eyelet Lace - 8"

7] Following the Basic Layout in your pattern, layout the pieces.

 

Piecing the block – Refer to Basic Layout on Pattern
(Hint: When sewing the pieces together it is imperative to maintain accurate seams. I found this trick to work for me: (Refer to illustrations on your pattern.)
Step 1: Place right sides together. Begin at an outside corner. Stick a pin through the front fabric corner (illustration 1a) then make sure it goes exactly through the corner of the back fabric (illustration 1b).
Step 2: Do the same for the other corner. (illustration 2)
Step 3: When placing the rest of the pins, go through the seam line on the front fabric making sure it goes through the line on the back fabric. If necessary, gently ease the fabric to fit between the 2 corners. (illustration 3)
Step 4: When you sew the seam, start at the edge of the fabric, not the corner, and sew off the outer edge. (illustration 4)
This should help ensure accuracy throughout the piecing.)

Row 1:
8] With right sides together sew piece 1 to piece 2. (Note: There are circles with numbers in them on each template which indicates which pattern piece, or pieces, that seam is meant to attach to. (Note: the placement of the numbers does not necessarily line up with the actual pattern pieces. It's just used to denote which pieces should be touching.) 

9] Iron seam. (Note: When quilting, seams should not be ironed opened but rather ironed to one side together. This helps make the piece stronger.)

10] Attach to piece 3 and iron seam.

Row 2:
11] Sew pieces together as follows:
House Row 1:
5 to 6, 6 to 7, 7 to 8, 8 to 9. Press seams
House Row 2:
Piece 11 does not attach to anything at this point
House Row 3:
12 to 13, 13 to 14. Press seams

12] Sew House Row 1 to House Row 2, then House Row 2 to House Row 3. Press seams.

13] Sew pieces 4 and 10 to house. Press seams.

Row 3:
14] Row 3 is a single piece.

15] Sew Row 1 to Row 2 and Row 2 to Row 3. Press seams.

16] Your block is now pieced. It should measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Embellishments

Vine:
17] Using the pattern as a guide transfer the vine to the house. Embroider as follows:
Stem – stem stitch using 6 strands floss
Leaf – disconnected stem stitch using 6 strands floss
Flowers – lazy daisy stitch using 6 strands floss
Buds – French stitch using 6 strands floss

Flower:
18] Turn under both edges of eyelet lace 1/2" and iron.

19] Using a small running stitch close to the unfinished edge, sew across the top.

20] Pull thread tightly to gather lace. Tie off so the lace stays tightly gathered. Do not cut the thread. Using a blind stitch sew the 2 edges of the lace together to make a circle.

21] Using the pattern as a guide, stem stitch the stem using 6 strands of floss and add leaves using a detached chain stitch.

22] Using the pattern as a guide, place eyelet flower on stem with right side up. Place the round flower center on the flower, and position a button in the middle. Securely sew the button on going through the round flower center and the eyelet flower.

Cloud:
23] Using the pattern piece #3 as a guide, position the cloud in the sky and pin in place. Blanket stitch the cloud to the sky using 6 strands of floss.

Buttons:
The button on the door and the cat button will be sewn on after you have quilted your piece. Refer to pattern for placement.

Quilting the Block:
Decide on how you wish to finish your block. Wee Folk Art will have instructions for setting the Crooked House blocks in a pillow, a tote bag and a banner. You may decide to finish it in a different way. But the quilting of the block will remain the same. You will need your finished block, a thin batting (I use an organic cotton batting) and a backing. Exact sizes will vary depending on how you finish the block.

I have included an illustration of how I quilted my block, but the choice is yours. Because the block is “busy”, I wanted my quilting to be subtle. To quilt I used 3 strands of floss in colors that matched my material. This gave the block dimension without creating extra detail. But have fun with your choices and make it uniquely your own!

CAUTION: If you are making this for a child under 3 years old, do not use buttons. They are a choke hazard. Instead, embroider or appliqué the doorknob, flower center and cat.

Note about patterns: We are sharing patterns we have designed and made for our own children, families and friends. Every effort is made to share information in a clear and accurate manner. We offer preemptive apologies for any mistakes that may be made. Please let us know via comments or emails if you stumble upon a mistake or if you encounter directions that leave your scratching your head! We will rectify the situation as soon as humanly possible!

www.WeeFolkArt.com

Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008-2009. All rights reserved. All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. KM Projects retains all rights. All projects, patterns and directions are meant for your personal use and neither the patterns nor completed projects may be used for personal gain.

This pillow is made using The Vine Crooked House Block, but it can be used with any 12 1/2" center block. This is a pillow cover that is Velcroed together and can be taken off the pillow form for washing purposes.

Materials:
1 – 12 1/2" center block (The Vine Crooked House is used for this pillow.)
30” of 44” fabric for back and outside border
6” fabric for thin border
22” square thin batting (I used organic cotton)
22” muslin or light scrap fabric for backing (will be inside the pillow and not seen)
18” square pillow form
Sewing machine thread
18” – 3/4" Velcro (both loops and hooks)
Pattern for layout

Please Note: 1/2" seam allowance used throughout this project

Directions:

Cutting out fabric:
1] Cut out fabric as described below:
Back and outside border
1 – 12 ½” x 19 1/2"
1 – 12” x 19 1/2"
2 – 3 1/2" x 14 1/2"
2 3 1/2" x 19 1/2"
Thin border
2 – 2” x 12 1/2"
2 – 2” x 14 1/2"
Batting
1 – 22” x 22”
Quilt Backing
1 – 22” x 22”

Piecing Top:
2] Sew the two 2” x 12 1/2” thin border pieces to the two sides of your center block piece. Press seams open.

3] Sew the two 2” x 14 1/2" thin border pieces to the top and bottom of your center block piece. Press seams open.

4] Sew the two 3 1/2" x 14 1/2" wide border pieces to the two sides of your block. Press seams.

5] Sew the two 3 1/2" x 19 1/2” wider border pieces to the top and bottom of your block. Press seams.

Quilting Top: (Quilt the pillow top as desired or follow the suggestions below.)
6] Lay out the quilt backing. Place the batting on top of it. Then place the finished front on top of the batting, right side showing.

7] Pin in place before quilting.

8] Quilt your center block piece. (Refer to The Crooked Vine Block for suggestions on how to quilt that piece.)

9] Quilt a 1/4" away from the seam that attaches the thin border thecenter block and the thin border to the wide border.

10] Add buttons or other embellishments now.

11] Trim away excess backing and batting.

Pillow Back:
12] Fold a 19 1/2” edge of one of the pillow back pieces under 2” to the wrong side and iron. Do the same for the other back piece.

13] On one of the pillow back pieces, position the Velcro loops 1/4" from a folded edge. This should be on the back of the fabric. Sew close to the Velcro edge around all 4 sides of the Velcro.

14] On the other pillow back piece, position the Velcro hooks 1/4" from the folded edge. This should be on the frong of the fabric. Sew close to the Velcro edge around all 4 sides of the Velcro.

15] Carefully attach the 2 sides by sticking the Velcro together. Your pillow back should measure exactly 19 1/2" x 19 1/2". Reposition the Velcro pieces if necessary until you achieve the 19 1/2" square.

16] With right sides together, pin the pillow back to the pillow front. Sew the 4 edges. Turn the pillow right side out.

17] Insert the 18” pillow form and Velcro shut.

Note about patterns: We are sharing patterns we have designed and made for our own children, families and friends. Every effort is made to share information in a clear and accurate manner. We offer preemptive apologies for any mistakes that may be made. Please let us know via comments or emails if you stumble upon a mistake or if you encounter directions that leave your scratching your head! We will rectify the situation as soon as humanly possible!

www.WeeFolkArt.com

Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008-2009. All rights reserved. All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. KM Projects retains all rights. All projects, patterns and directions are meant for your personal use and neither the patterns nor completed projects may be used for personal gain.
 

 

Please Note: Throughout this project you will find many hints. They will help you complete the project.
 
Important: The pattern pieces DO NOT have a seam allowance included. You MUST add a 1/4” seam allowance BEFORE you cut out the pattern pieces.
 
Materials:
Fabric scraps – 5 colors, light to medium weight cotton or cotton blends
Felt scraps – white and green (Note: If you plan to wash this project do not use wool felt as it will shrink and the color may bleed. Chose instead a high quality synthetic felt.)
Embroidery floss for quilting
Buttons – 1 for the doorknob, 1 cat button, 2 1 1/4” for front straps, and buttons for the roof (I used 5 star buttons but use any buttons you find pleasing!)
Thread – for sewing machine or hand sewing
Pattern
(You will need a thin batting and backing but the size will depend on how you plan to finish the block. Wee Folk Art will include patterns for a pillow, a tote bag and a banner. Fabric and batting requirements necessary to complete those projects will be included in those patterns.)
 
Note: You will be using The Crooked Vine House Block instructions for making this block, however, MAKE SURE TO USE THIS PATTERN, LINKED TO ON THIS PAGE! Because the instructions are almost identical (changes are listed below in green) you can use the previously posted instructions for The Vine Crooked House to construct The Bush Crooked House Pattern. 
 

 
AFTER USING THE VINE HOUSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PIECING THE BUSH HOUSE, RETURN HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO FINISH THE BUSH HOUSE. 
 
Bush:
16] Using the pattern as a guide, embroider the bush as follows:
    Flowers – lazy daisy stitch using 6 strands floss
     Buds – French stitch using 6 strands floss
17] Using the pattern as a guide, position the bush and pin in place. Blanket stitch the bush to the house using 6 strands of floss.

 

Cloud:
18] Because the cloud over extends the block, you will need to wait until you have added borders before you applique your cloud on.
 
Buttons:
All buttons will be sewn on after you have finished quilting. Refer to pattern for placement.
 
Quilting the Block:
Decide on how you wish to finish your block. Wee Folk Art has instructions for setting the Crooked House blocks in a pillow, a tote bag and a banner. You may decide to finish it in a different way. But the quilting of the block will remain the same. You will need your finished block, a thin batting (I use an organic cotton batting) and a backing. Exact sizes will vary depending on how you finish the block.
 
I have included an illustration of how I quilted my block, but the choice is yours. Because the block is “busy”, I wanted my quilting to be subtle. To quilt I used 3 strands of floss in colors that matched my material. This gave the block dimension without creating extra detail. But have fun with your choices and make it uniquely your own!

Materials:
     eggs
          white felt
          yellow felt
          embroidery floss
          stuffing
     bacon
          brown felt
          beige felt
          6 1/2" pipe cleaner
          embroidery floss
     Pattern

Directions:

Eggs:
1] Copy pattern and cut out 2 whites and 1 yolk for each egg. (Two different eggs are featured.)

2] Position yolk and blanket stitch around 3/4 of the yolk using 3 strands of embroidery floss. Stuff the yolk so it creates a mound without pulling up the sides of the whites. Blanket stitch around the remainder of the yolk.

3] Pin the top of the egg to the bottom of the egg. Pin in place. Using 3 strands of floss, blanket stitch the 2 pieces together.

Bacon:
1] Copy pattern and cut out 2 rectangular "meat" strips and 2 "fat" strips for each piece of bacon.

2] Position 1 piece of fat down the center of 1 rectangular meat strip. Refer to the pattern and using a running stitch and 3 strands of floss, attach the fat. Do the same to the other piece.

3] Turn one piece of bacon over. Place the pipe cleaner down the center of the rectangle making sure it is also centered length wise. Whip stitch the pipe cleaner to the bacon, making sure your stitches do not go all the way through to the front side.

4] Put the wrong sides of the bacon together and pin in place. Using 3 strands of floss, blanket stitch around all four edges of the bacon.

5} Crinkle the bacon by bending the pipe cleaners to give a realistic look to the bacon.

 

Note about patterns: We are sharing patterns we have designed and made for our own children, families and friends. Every effort is made to share information in a clear and accurate manner. We offer preemptive apologies for any mistakes that may be made. Please let us know via comments or emails if you stumble upon a mistake or if you encounter directions that leave your scratching your head! We will rectify the situation as soon as humanly possible!

 

www.WeeFolkArt.com

Copyright © Wee Folk Art 2008 - 2009. All rights reserved. All photos, text and patterns are copyright protected. You may not copy, reproduce or redistribute any material found on WeeFolkArt.com without written permission. KM Projects retains all rights. All projects, patterns and directions are meant for your personal use and neither the patterns nor completed projects may be used for personal gain.

A shank is a metal, plastic or thread column used to hold a button away from an item, making the button loose and easier to button. It also strengthens the button making it a great choice for buttons that take a lot of stress, like at a waistline. This is directions for creating your own shank on a flat button.

1] Using 2 strands of floss or thread bring the needle up through the material where you want your button positioned.

2] Make 1 small secure stitch.

3] Position the button in place. Place 1,2 or 3 toothpicks over the button. (This depends on how long you want your shank. The thicker the material you are using, the longer you want your shank.

4] Sew the button in place going over the toothpicks on top of the button.

5] When the button is secured DO NOT cut the thread. Remove the toothpicks.

6] Position your needle so it is between the button and the fabric.

7] While holding the button away from the fabric, tightly wrap the thread around the shank (the loose threads) 3 or 4 times.

8] Tie off the thread and clip.

9] The button is now secured to the fabric with a thread shank.

Please note: This cell phone holder was made for the LG Lotus. IT WILL NOT FIT MOST PHONES! I've included the directions because my grandbabies turned it into a doll's purse, which will fit any doll :)

CAUTION: It you are making this as a doll's purse for children under three years of age do not use a button since it can be a choke hazard. Instead, use snaps or velcro to close the purse and make a felt flower to blanket stitch on.

Materials:

Color A: felt for lining
Color B: felt for outside
Color C: felt for leaves and strap
1” button
5/8” button
Embroidery thread
Pattern

Directions:
1] Copy pattern and cut out felt pieces as follows:
Color A: 1 front, 1 back
Color B: 1 front, 1 back
Color C: 2 leaves, 1 strap

2] Place lining back on outside back. Transfer running stitch line to outside. Pin along line. Using a running stitch and 3 strands of floss sew outside to lining.

 

3] Place outside front on lining front. Pin in place and blanket stitch across upper straight edge using 3 strands of floss.

4] Place the front on top of the back with linings together lining up bottom and sides. Pin in place. Blanket stitch front to back using 3 strands of floss. Go all the way around the whole outside edge. This will attach the front to the back and sew the remaining back outside to the back lining. (At the bottom you will be going through 4 layers of felt. Make sure your needle goes straight down through the material to keep your stitches even on the back. Make sure your stitches are firm but not tight enough to start puckering the material. Also, it’s a good idea to reinforce the last blanket stitch on either side where the front edges attach to the back. (See pattern.) This is a stress point when placing things in the pouch and the reinforced stitch will help keep it together.

5] Using the pattern for placement and sharp scissors, cut a 1” slit (or the size of your largest button) for the button hole. You will be cutting through the outside and the lining together.

6] Using small and close blanket stitches, stitch around the entire button hole, including 1 stitch at the ends of the hole. Make sure your needle goes straight down through both layers of material so the button hole looks the same on the lining and outside sides.

7] Using the pattern as a guide, pin leaves around the button hole. Use 3 strands of floss to blanket stitch the leaves in place. (Note: Be careful not to sew the pouch together on the inside while adding the leaves.)

8] Mark button placement. Sew buttons on together with the smaller button on top of the larger button. It is a good idea to sew the button on using a shank. Check out the directions for making a shank here.

9] To make the handle overlap the 2 ends of the handle into a ring, being careful not to twist the fabric, and using 3 strands of floss blanket stitch the ends together.

10] Fold the handle in thirds with the outer edge running down the center of the handle. Pin. Whip stitch the edge closed.

11] Using 3 strands of floss, sew a running stitch around the entire loop.

12] Using the pattern as a guide, position the handle on the purse. The handle’s seam should be centered inside the purse. Make sure the whipped stitched side of the handle is against the purse.

13] Using 3 strands of floss, whip stitch or blind stitch the handle to the purse on either side of the handle.

Now you can decide if this is meant for a cell phone or as a doll's purse!