There was a crooked man and he walked a crooked mile,
He found a crooked sixpence upon a crooked stile.
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse.
And they all lived together in a little crooked house.
Several months ago I shared a project I had just completed. Actually, I just shared bits and pieces of it. It was always my intent to revisit this project and to share the pattern with everyone. So, over the next several weeks I will be sharing this pattern in several different ways.
I will include all 3 pattern blocks and directions for turning them into the banner you see her. But, each time I share one of the blocks, I will also give directions for a different way to use the block. The plan now is to make a pillow, a tote bag, and, hmmm… haven’t come up with a third use yet, but I will!
Originally, when I made these houses, I used a form of crazy quilting. I did not have a pattern and simply created 3 different strips for each block. If you’re familiar with crazy quilting, you might want to use that technique, although I will include actual pattern pieces for anyone who wants to make this in a more traditional manner.
So, watch for the directions. The first block will be available at the end of the week, and next week there will be directions on turning the block into a pillow.
As a child I loved that nursery rhyme. This is so cute. I love all the buttons and things you have on it. I’ve just recently started sewing. Is this a beginners project? I looks kind of difficult.
I wouldn’t necessarily call this a beginner project BUT I believe a beginner can do it. Crafting projects are a step-by-step thing. IF you follow the directions, and look at it as 1 step at a time, I’m sure you’ll do fine. The biggest secret to this project is making all you seams the same size… but more about that in the directions. So, I’d say, plan to give it a try. Besides, these are crooked houses… not sure you can do it wrong 😉
Looking forward to your projects. Where did you get your buttons? I want to have some on hand for this project.
I bought the cat buttons years ago at a small yarn shop. They came in a 4 pack. I went online and did a quick search and I found the same buttons at http://www.quiltware.com/sewing-buttons.asp. They sell them individually for a $1.00 a piece but that is cheaper than the $8.50 I paid for the 4 pack back then. Hmmmm!
I bought my leaf buttons about 6 months ago at Joann Fabric. I went online and they don’t carry them online but they still might have them in their stores. I did find some gorgeous ones at http://www.muddymuse.com/ceramicbuttons.html and I did an Etsy search for ceramic leaf buttons and came up with quite a few beauties.
As far as all the other buttons… I’ve collect a ton of buttons over the years THEN I got on this ebay thing where I started buying pounds of buttons! So, I’ve got tons of buttons, with many awesome ones, all retro, that I hit whenever I need a few buttons. (Like the roof and door knobs.)
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the info. I went to Joanns and after much looking I found the same leaves you have. No such luck on the cats. They had a few plastic cats but nothing I liked. I’m going to go online and order 3. Looking for to this project very much.
I loved that poem as child! I love this little house quilted baner! It’s story book pretty!