Tag: make something

new sewing pattern : patchwork pouch

October 13, 2023

by annwood

scraps are magic

And I get pretty excited about patchwork. It’s in my DNA. Partly from my holly hobby childhood and partly from a love of improvisation – the magic of combining castoffs into something new.

Your little cotton scraps are perfect for this patchwork thread pouch. The blocks that make the little bag can be as detailed, layered and slow stitched as you like (add embroidery or personalization for a cute sewy gift). Endless possibilities.

It’s just the right size (4 inches high when open) for a few spools of thread and a mini needle book (included in the pattern). It feels good in my hand, soft and simple and cozy.

*This post contains an affiliate link marked with an *asterisk

Besides scraps you’ll need cord or twill tape (I love twill tape and *get it by the roll here) for the draw string and a little felt. Something new with this pattern- instead of including the resource list within the pdf I’ve created a resource list online. Stock runs out, sources change and this way I can update the list to currently available materials. I’m going to add an online source for all the patterns eventually.

You can sew the whole bag by hand or use the machine as well. I’m almost always working on one of these bags. The little blocks come with me for slow stitching and then get assembled on the machine at home.

Is patchwork in your DNA? Does your thread cry out for a pouch? I hope you enjoy making the little bag.

house fly rag doll : sewing tutorial

May 19, 2023

by annwood

Who could be mad at these guys? Sew up some little fly friends, you’ll need a handful of scraps, stuffing and buttons. Pretty much. Their expressions crack me up. And the funny little legs definitely have “flyness”.

The idea for them first turned up in the daily paintings. I love to celebrate the less loved creatures and who is less loved than the dreaded house fly?

And why not make them cozy? They fit perfectly in the little wire beds.

let’s make a batch of dear little pests

download the template

supplies

basic sewing kit
embroidery thread (I’m using dmc perl cotton 12)
buttons – 1/4 – 1/2 inch-ish
cotton fabric scraps
a little stuffing

It’s helpful to read through all the steps before beginning.

: 1.

: 2.

1. Pin the body pattern to 2 layers of cotton fabric – right sides together – and cut out 1/4 inch from the edge. With the pattern still attached, stitch around the edge of the paper. Leave open between the marks.

2. Clip the seam allowance at the marks.

: 3.

: 4.

3. With the paper pattern still attached fold the edges of the opening over and press.

4. Clip little triangle sections out of the seam allowance – be careful not to clip the seam.

Support free patterns like happy flies! And keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Click here to add your support.

back to the flies…

: 5.

: 6.

5. Turn the body right side out. Use a chopstick or similar to push out the curves.

6. Stuff the body and stitch the opening closed with tiny whip stitches.

For adding the details and features you will find this tutorial on how to hide your knots helpful.

: 7.

: 8.

7. Cut out the stomach patch and stitch in place.

8. The wings are made from 2 layers of fabric. Pin the wing pattern to a double layer of cotton – wrong sides together – and cut out around the edge of the pattern (do not add seam allowance). Repeat for another wing.

: 9.

: 10.

9. Stitch all the way around the edge of both wings with contrasting thread – about 1/8th inch from the edge.

10. Stitch buttons close to the edge of the head. I used a half inch button here – you can use 2 or 4 hole buttons.

: 11.

: 12.

11. Stitch two straight lines in contrasting thread to finish his simple features.

12. Pin the wings in place. The short side goes in the center with the edges overlapping slightly. Make a few stitches in the center and down the side. Stitch with the same color thread over your previous stitches.

: 13.

: 14.

13. Make a knot 4 inches from the end of your leg thread (I used dmc perl cotton #12). Insert the needle into the side seam at the top to the stomach patch.

14. Bring the needle out the other side until the knot catches and make a knot at the seam.

: 15.

: 16.

15. Make a knot in the thread and before tightening it use the needle to pull it down the thread util it is 1/2 inch from the body. Tighten the knot.

16. Trim the leg about 1/2 inch from the knot. Repeat the knot and trimming on the other side.

17. 1/2 inch below the first legs add the next two. For the last two legs Make a knot 4 inches from the end and put the needle in 1/2 inch from the bottom of the body. Bring the thread out the other side until it catches and make a knot at the seam.

: 18.

: 19.

18. Make a knot 1 inch from the body.

19. Trim the leg 3/4 inch from the knot. Repeat the knot and trimming on the other side.

hello fly friend!

Do you know somebody who needs an aggressively friendly fly? Is there an adorable swarm in your future? Let us know in the comments.

little chicks : free sewing pattern

February 3, 2023

by annwood

Little chicks! Super quick and easy to make. And you can make little chicken families using the free chicken sewing pattern.

You just need fabric scraps and a few other things to get started.

download the pattern

You will also need:

fabric scraps – light cotton or linen
felt (I like wool felt)
embroidery thread
glue stick
stuffing
a basic sewing kit
pencil or disappearing marker

: chick 1

: chick 2

1. Pin the body pattern to 2 layers of fabric with the right sides together and cut out.

2. Mark the seam line, location for the beak and opening marks lightly in pencil or disappearing marker. Cut out the beak from felt. Pin the body pieces – right sides together – near the tail end.

: little chick 3

: little chick 4

3. Add a tiny bit of glue to just the back edge of the beak.

4. Fold back the top layer of fabric and place on the body fabric exactly as shown – point facing in. Use the guide lines on the wrong side of the fabric to check the placement.

5. Fold the top layer back down, pin and stitch the seam with very small, straight stitches. I got a much better result stitching these by hand. After stitching trim little triangles into the seam allowance being careful not to clip the seam.

Support free patterns like little chicks! And keep the awesome free projects flowing.

Click here to add your support.

: little chick 6

: little chick 7

6. Use your chopstick to turn the chick right side out. Push all the curves out with firm pressure.

7. Stuff with wool.

: little chick 8

: little chick 9

8. Fold in the opening of the edges and stitch closed.

9. You will find this method for hiding your knots helpful for embroidering the details. I added an X on each side for eyes using 2 strands of embroidery thread.

10. You can leave the beak as is or clip a little triangle out of the center.

: little chick 11

: little chick 12

11. For the legs use embroidery thread. Put the needle in the bottom seam as shown – coming out about 3/4 of an inch from where you inserted.

12. Pull the thread through so you have some length on each end and knot close to the fabric

13. Trim the legs. Use starch to give them a little stiffness (pro tip – hair gel works too)

You could also add a couple stitches on the side for a little wing detail and a hanging string (use this method again to hide the ends).

hello little chicks!

I hope you make lots of little chicks! If you do I’d love to see. Please use #annwoodpattern on instagram. Or share in the ann wood handmade community.

lucky fish : slow stitch project

September 18, 2020

by annwood

Who doesn’t need some luck? Plus these very simple fish are pulling me out of slushy, stubborn stuckness.

One thing leads to another, if you let it, but first you need to start. Where I really started was ironing, ironing scraps. It went on my to do list because it was an easy win (I felt like doing it). And I had saved a couple bundles of scraps, each sent by a friend, to sort and iron pre-move.

As I ironed and sorted by color the wheels started to turn and I felt a strong and persistent spiritual directive to slow stitch some fish.

Maybe you feel like stitching some fish too. Let it be a meandering process, try stuff. Let one thing lead to another.

** DOWNLOAD THE FISH TEMPLATE **

You will also need:

fabric scraps – light cotton or linen
little scraps, buttons lace for embellishing
stuffing
a basic sewing kit
pencil

1. Pin the pattern to 2 layers of light cotton fabric – right sides of the fabric together – and cut out. Be sure to clip out the little triangle notches.

: 2

: 3

2. Mark the seam line lightly in pencil.

3. Stitch the seam by hand or machine, leaving open between the notches. Find hand sewing tips here.

: 4

: 5

4. Clip notches around the curves and clip off the points at the nose and tail. Be careful not to clip the seam.

5. Use a chopstick to turn the fish right side out.

: 6

: 7

6. Pro tip: use a plastic mechanical pencil to push out the corners – retract the lead first.

7. Stuff your fish.

paintings to stitch, the hexie quilt and nude rag doll news

April 18, 2020

by annwood

Every day starts with stitching owls and castles and swans etc. and making scrap hexies. I chose a few images from the daily paintings to print on linen and stitch and I love stitching them, I find it hypnotic. It’s a free style situation – choosing lines or details to highlight and embellish. I’ve only been using 3 stitches – back stitch, satin and french knots.

You can find the stitch paintings in the shop.

When I finish these I’ll keep them in the hoops and hang them in a little group – I’ll show you how to do that soon. I’m using DMC floss – the six strand stuff – separating one, two or three strands.

I love this blue bug gentleman, where is he going? Who are those flowers for? And I love the little french knot flowers for his bouquet. I used two strands of thread for these.

french knots:

Bring the needle through the fabric where you would like the knot. Hold the thread tight about and inch from the fabric with your other hand. Place your needle in front of the tight floss – be sure it’s in front – not behind.

Wind the floss around the needle twice (or once for a tiny knot), Don’t twirl the needle to wind the floss – wind it around the needle with your non-needle hand,

Keep the tension of the floss and put the needle back in right next to (not in the same hole – but very close to it) where you began. Keep the thread tight with your non-needle hand and pull the coil downward towards your fabric. Pull the needle through to finish the knot.

hexie update:

I add a few every day- I’m moving from the multicolor scrap area into a pale section and starting a dark blue group too, Lots of people are making hexies! Check out #hexiesforsanity to see. And I found a printable sheet of templates here.

Scandalous doll pattern update: Just about there and it is awesome. The hard part for me was the head – I changed my mind over and over but finally settled on a solution I’m super happy with. Stay tuned. And get some fabric – muslin or any light cotton.

What are you working on? Come across any cool projects, recipes, awesome books or ideas you’d like to share? Please leave them in the comments.

wire doll bed diy

March 22, 2020

by annwood

Maybe you’d like to start a home for tiny foundlings. Or your mouse house needs a bed.
I’ve made you a diy just in case. When I started messing around with this I found the twisting and wrapping wire construction method pretty difficult so I experimented with other ways of fastening wire. I ended up with something that I think is way easier to do (tape) and I’m super happy with the result. So happy I made a bunch, I am currently even extra obsessed with making things cozy. And I like their wonky vibe, it’s a big part of their charm, perfection should not be a goal in this project.

I’ve sized this bed for very nice mice but there are notes for enlarging it a little for the tiny rag doll or mr. socks. It’s a good idea to have socks or the tiny doll nearby while you make it to double check your fit.

*This tutorial contains affiliate links – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link – they are marked with an asterisk.

Notes on wire: I used 19 gauge galvanized wire in the demo – it’s pretty stiff. The easiest wire to use is this soft annealed *19 gauge black wire. If you have something else on hand give it a try. As long as it bends easily and holds it’s shape it should work.

Notes on tape: Masking tape and *floral tape both work. I made the demo with masking tape since it’s likely you have some of that. The floral tape makes a more invisible join but after making a whole bunch I prefer the masking tape functionally and aesthetically.

Before we start putting the bed together let’s talk about finishing. Because I use tape as the fastener I painted the whole bed. Both the galvanized wire and the softer black wire took the paint (acrylic craft paint) well. I recommend using darker colors or black.

And of course you’ll need a mattress and pillow. It’s super easy and you can sew by hand or machine.

download the mattress and pillow patterns

You’ll also need scraps of fabric a basic sewing kit and something to stuff with. Anything is fine – even toilet paper…

*If you opt to make a larger bed for the tiny rag doll add 2 and 1/2 inches to the length of the mattress template.

Cut out the mattress and pillow fabric and pin with the right sides of the fabric together.

Sew the seams leaving a small section open for turning.

Clip of the corners, turn the mattress and pillow right side out, stuff lightly and then stitch the openings closed.

The template includes a pillow case and you can find instructions for that right here.

make a wire doll bed

materials and tools:

needle nose pliers and wire cutters

19 gauge wire – this soft annealed is easy to work with

masking tape or *floral tape – see the notes above

craft paint and brushes

1. Cut all your wire pieces:

2- 18 inch
1- 10 inch
2- 6 inch
1- 10 and 1/2 inch
1- 8 and 1/2 inch

If you would like to make a larger bed for miss thistle make the long pieces 20 and 1/2 inches instead of 18. Also cut an extra 10 inch piece.

2. Bend the 10 and 1/2 inch and 8 and 1/2 inch pieces into U shapes.

3. Bend each of the 6 inch pieces as shown – 1 and 1/2 inch from each end.

4. Bend the 10 inch piece into a rectangle with the ends overlapping (for the larger tiny rag doll bed make 2 of these).

5. All your ready to assemble parts should look like this.

make a house for a mouse

March 15, 2020

by annwood

A fancy dress tea party for very nice mice!

They are so happy to see you! Come right in!

Step into their warm, welcoming ramshackle room. I could totally live there! They’ve made it extra festive and cozy for a fancy tea party with friends.

Find part 2 – a cozy bedroom right here.

The dear little scene is made from stuff I had around, a couple things from my childhood dollhouse, old french letters on the wall and some favorite tiny treasures. The mice and plates are free tutorials in case you are feeling the need for a mouse tea party. I’ve shared a few tips and ideas below for creating a very nice mouse house including miniature plate hangers for your tiny mismatched china, more on that in a minute.

Making a mouse tea party was not my plan for Saturday. All of a sudden I felt the need to make something entirely for Joy. 100% JOY. And it was, sorting through my treasures, making the wire chandelier, putting together the little scene and photographing it was 100 % joy.

some details:

*some links are affiliate links – meaning I get a tiny commission if you purchase through the links – they are marked with an asterisk

A fancy bicorne hat for the host -The tiny bicorne hat was made using this pattern but I used the “bird bicorne accent” pattern piece for the hat and then cut another a little smaller for the decorative piece.

The mice – made from the very nice mice free pattern – pro tip – lately I’ve been adding walnut shells or a coin or two for weight in the bottom to help them stand up.

Tiny plates and cups – made from this free tutorial – so much fun.

mouse food – Pickling spice makes great mouse food. I put some in a little glass button and sprinkled some by the door mat too – little mouse debris, you know how mice are…

Chandelier – Its made from this *super handy 24 gauge wire, a vintage earring I’ve had for ever and a few tiny beads. The easy plate hangers are made from this wire too.

make miniature plate hangers

Cut a few inches of *24 gauge wire. You will also need needle nose pliers – small ones are great, wire cutters and pins for hanging. I used the sharpie to color the *little applique pins. The little pins come in handy for lots of dollhouse things.

Bend the wire in half and make a loop. Twist the ends under the loop,

Place your tiny plate on and bend up the ends.

Remove the plate, trim the ends and curl them with the pliers.

Put your plate on and press the curled ends to hold the plate snuggly.

The wall is made from foam-core and I push the little pins (colored with a sharpie) in to hold the hangers. You can use tiny nails too.

If you’ve got kids home from school this would be a fun project and stay tuned for more ideas. If you do make a mouse tea party I’d love to see – you can email photos to info at ann wood handmade dot com or use #annwoodpattern and #mousehousediy to share on instagram.

Wishing you all health and peace and happiness and I hope this all passes quickly.

Onward!
ann

Do you get my free weekly-ish newsletter? There are tips and tricks, ideas, stuff to try, all the latest news and blogposts and extra stuff, just for subscribers, delivered mostly on Friday. Pretty much.

11 ideas for your scraps

February 1, 2020

by annwood

I’ve scoured the interwebs to find awesome scrap sewing projects and ideas for you plus a tutorial from me that I’m excited to share. You might notice that pincushions, an ideal scrap fabric project and essential tool, are missing from this list. I’m planning a whole separate post later this month devoted to pincushions.

PS – If you haven’t already check out the 2019 scrap festival project list. And there are 4 more project ideas here.

onward!

11 ideas for your scraps

1. Pieced Feathers – Easy to do and you could make all sorts of things with them – the tutorial is great.

2. Sashiko Sampler Potholders – They are lovely and a great opportunity to try sashiko stitching.

3. Little House Sachets – So sweet! Every detail is just right. And I get almost as excited about a good smell as I do about scraps.

And two more for the kitchen:

4. Acorn pot holder – make a pot holder or just follow the clever piecing directions and make a little acorn bag. What’s cuter than a patchwork acorn?

5. And everybody needs this pot handle cover.

6. Potluck Quilt – for the most ambitious among you. I want to make this and I definitely have enough scraps. I feel like it’s a good long term project, good early morning work.

7. Squircles…. I love the idea of appliquéing these hand cut imperfect shapes and playing with color etc. There are squircles in my future.

8. Picnic bugs – I made you a tutorial for these cheerful bugs – it’s perfect for little scraps.

9. Hexie Ball – such an interesting way to sew a 3 dimensional shape. Abby Glassenberg has a great tutorial.

10. Scrap Table Runner – I love Amy’s easy technique – it pretty much quilts itself, so clever.

11. Bow garland – This garland is as simple as it gets and it’s great for really tiny scraps that you couldn’t possibly part with. It’s so simple and would be sweet and magical in a little girl’s room.

Bonus scrap idea!

Make French Hens! the nesting box is made using this free tutorial. The chickenizing details are there too. And get the wobbler pattern (that’s what the body is made from) on sale!

Check my free pattern page for more ways to use your awesome scraps.

If you’ve got a great scrap project idea share it in the comments!

Do you get my free weekly-ish newsletter? There are tips and tricks, ideas, stuff to try, all the latest news and blogposts and extra stuff, just for subscribers, delivered mostly on Friday. Pretty much.

wax paper crystal snowflake ornament diy

December 17, 2019

by annwood

You can make these wax paper snowflake “crystal” ornaments in about 5 minutes with stuff you probably already have. You gotta love that. And you don’t have to use wax paper. I happen to love it though. I wanted something simple and light for my norfolk pine this year and I’ve always found wax paper magical. These were quick and easy and I had fun making them, I hope you do too. If you do I’d love to see – use #annwoodpattern on instagram.

You will need:

wax paper
stapler
glue stick
pinking shears
scissors
thread for hanging
optional – hot glue

1. Cut a strip of wax paper. My strip is the width of the roll and about 5 inches wide.

2. Fold the length of paper into pleats – accordion style. The pleats should be 1/2 inch or a little bigger. You want them to be consistent in size and firmly creased.

3. If you end up with a little extra paper carefully trim it off. Staple the center of your pleated paper – the staple needs to go across the center.

4. Apply glue stick to the top layer of paper.

5. Fold the pleated paper in half – glue inside. Trim the tip with pinking shears.

6. Cut a couple little notches along the folds.

7. Apply glue stick to one side.

8. Un- fold into a circle – brining the glued side around to meet the unglued side and press together to attach.

9. Add a string if you like and you’re finished – or… Add a whole other level of awesomeness…

10. For extra dimension and fancyness make a smaller snowflake. I used a strip of paper about half as long and half as wide. My pleats are about 1/2 inch still but there are less of them.

11. Use a dot of hot glue to attach the smaller snowflake to center of the larger.

So sweet! I hope you make wax paper snowflakes!

Do you get my free weekly-ish newsletter? There are tips and tricks, ideas, stuff to try, all the latest news and blogposts and extra stuff, just for subscribers, delivered mostly on Friday. Pretty much.

make a penny rug for the tiny rag doll with wool scraps

November 6, 2019

by annwood

It’s officially cosy season, I kicked it off by boiling some wool scraps on Sunday. I was trying to felt wool without putting it in the dryer. The boiling on its own did not do much in the way of felting but it did produce an unexpected result that I ended up liking, the dyes ran so all my scraps ended up over-dyed.

I used some of my boiled wool for this little rug for the tiny rag doll. Of course she needs a cosy rug for her little house in the green valley. I ran into wool pennies and penny rugs for the first time a few months ago. I love a scrap project and the idea of using everything and making something out of nothing. And I’ve got plenty of little scraps of wool. The little stitched circles are charming and satisfying to make. It’s meditative work.

And there are endless ways you could embellish and assemble them. I’ve made you templates for the shapes I used in this little rug.

find the template here

You’ll need wool and/ or wool felt scraps (I used a mix of felt and wool)
Embroidery thread and a needle
And (optional) a glue stick for assembling

1. To make the individual pennies place the little circle in the center of the larger. Stitch an X or star in the center with straight stitches. Blanket stitch around the edge, to begin make one straight stitch and come back out out at the edge.

2. Insert the needle a little away from the first stitch and the edge of the circle. Don’t pull the stitch tight.

3. Bring the needle back out just past the edge of the circle, bring your needle through the loop and pull tight.

4. Begin another stitch and repeat all the way around. You will need 20 pennies for this rug.

To assemble blanket stitch 4 pennies onto oval 1. Attach oval 1 to oval 2. I cut oval 1 with pinking shears and stitched little V’s around the edge to attach it.

Place your 16 remaining pennies around the edge and blanket stitch around each penny edge attaching them to oval 2.

I hope you make a penny rug! If you do, I’d love to see, you can use #missthistlesociety and #annwoodpattern on instagram. And find more Miss thistle society patterns here.

make a paper boat : a free tutorial

September 21, 2019

by annwood

*This post contains an affiliate link

Some projects are most satisfying to work on in batches. These paper boats are like that. They are quick and easy and you can make a bunch at once without much extra effort. Plus the finished group is very satisfying. You probably already have most of the materials you need and you could easily be hanging a respectable fleet by the end of the day, who doesn’t want that?

download the boat template

you will also need:

heavy paper (I’m using water color paper) or light cardboard (like poster board)
a bamboo skewer
paper for the sail
elmer’s glue
gluestick
embroidery thread or light string (like baker’s twine)
buttons
paints, brushes and/or collage materials
exacto knife
clothespins or paperclips for clamping

*Please read through all the steps before beginning.

*Also note I included some simple directions on the sail template for your convenience but the directions below include more details and options.

1. Cut out the boat and mast support templates and trace them onto light cardboard or a heavy weight paper. I’m Using water color paper (140 pound hot press is my favorite). Optional – paint both sides. I almost always paint a wash of water color on both sides of the boat and mast support.

2. Place the template back on the boat and poke your pencil through where the score lines intersect. Mark with a dot. Remove the template and draw on the score lines. Draw the score lines on the mast support too and mark an X on the center of the top section.

3. Use the back of an x-acto knife to score the lines on the boat and mast support.

4. Gently fold the boat and mast support at the score lines.

5. Add glue to the last section of the mast support, fold it into a triangle and glue the top section over it.

6. Clamp with paper clip or clothespins while it dries.

7. While your mast support dries paint or collage or draw on your boat. I did all three. I used a wash of watercolor, some pencil lines and a little collage. If you’re doing lots of collage I recommend using nori paste instead of blue stick . It is awesome. You can find it here. * FYI – this is an affiliate link – meaning I get a small commission if you purchase through the link.

8. Apply glue to the bow as indicated on the template.

9. Fold the boat together at the front and clamp with clothespins or paper clips while the glue dries. Alternatively – you can skip the glue, bring the front sides together and stitch on the sewing machine close to the edge.

10. Fold the center back ( A on the template) and apply glue to the top.

11. Bend up tab B – covering the top of tab A and matching the top edges. Apply glue and bend up tab C covering the top of tab B and matching the top edges. Clamp and let dry. Alternatively – skip the glue and attach the three layers with a stitch and a button (step 16 below).

easy doll clothes patterns and a free mini straw hat diy

June 1, 2019

by annwood

A tiny summer top! Who would have guessed she’d reveal even a hint of midriff. But there it is. Scandalous. You just never know about someone…

A new sewing pattern! And a free tutorial too!

Use your scraps to make adorable dresses and tops for your tiny ladies. She can wear the dress frontwards or backwards for a variety of looks (it would also make a sweet nightgown made from eyelet or a vintage handkerchief).

The dress, top and hat are quick and easy to make. I spent a ton of time working out a tiny dress pattern that does not require lots of hems and has no fasteners. You could use the simple technique to create all sorts of little garments. They are just the right size for the tiny rag doll and the pattern scales well for other rag dolls.

The tiny rag doll needed a summer wardrobe. She is headed for the French countryside soon so a big sun hat was a must. The hat is included in the pdf and I’ve shared it below too.

make a mini straw hat:

A couple material notes – I used cheese cloth – it’s cheap and easy to find. You can also experiment with any very light weight, gauzy, open weave cotton or linen fabric for different effects.

The nail polish bottle is used for forming the hat crown – any similar glass or plastic container can be used. The bottle I’m using made a hat that’s just the right size for the tiny rag doll – it is 5/8th inches across.

I’m using elmer’s glue

Paint – I used acrylic craft paint – mixing shades of brown, ochre and white for a straw shade.

I finished the hat with a mini silk ribbon. I love these ribbons and you can find them here. They are great for lots of tiny details and embroidery too (fyi – the miss thistle society gets a small commission if you purchase through the link).

1. Cut a piece of cheesecloth about 5 inches by 5 inches. Cheese cloth has 4 layers and we will use them all.

2. Mix a straw shade of paint and add white glue (about 4 parts glue to 1 part paint). Paint the top 1/4 inch of the cap. Optional – I’m mixing glue into the paint but if you prefer you can just use glue and paint later or leave unpainted.

3. Center the cheesecloth over the cap and pull it tightly over it.

4. Hold the cheesecloth tight with an elastic. Paint a thin layer of glue or the glue paint mixture on the cheesecloth. Let this dry completely.

5. Remove the rubber band and remove the cheesecloth from the bottle and spread it flat on wax paper.

6. Paint the cheese cloth with a thin coat glue or the glue mixture a little wider than you would like the brim. Brush firmly out from the center. Let this dry completely.

7. When it’s dry lift it off the wax paper.

8. Trim the brim to whatever size you like.

To finish you can add ribbon or a mini flower or stitch a detail on the brim or crown with embroidery thread. I used 4mm silk ribbon (affiliate link – meaning the miss thistle gets a tiny commission if you purchase through this link).

scraps are magic

Is patchwork in your DNA? Does your thread cry out for a pouch? I hope you enjoy making the little bag.

let’s make a batch of dear little pests

supplies

It’s helpful to read through all the steps before beginning.

Support free patterns like happy flies! And keep the awesome free projects flowing.

back to the flies…

For adding the details and features you will find this tutorial on how to hide your knots helpful.

hello fly friend!

Do you know somebody who needs an aggressively friendly fly? Is there an adorable swarm in your future? Let us know in the comments.

Support free patterns like little chicks! And keep the awesome free projects flowing.

hello little chicks!

I hope you make lots of little chicks! If you do I’d love to see. Please use #annwoodpattern on instagram. Or share in the ann wood handmade community.

french knots:

hexie update:

I’ve sized this bed for very nice mice but there are notes for enlarging it a little for the tiny rag doll or mr. socks. It’s a good idea to have socks or the tiny doll nearby while you make it to double check your fit.

*If you opt to make a larger bed for the tiny rag doll add 2 and 1/2 inches to the length of the mattress template.

make a wire doll bed

If you would like to make a larger bed for miss thistle make the long pieces 20 and 1/2 inches instead of 18. Also cut an extra 10 inch piece.

A fancy dress tea party for very nice mice!

Find part 2 – a cozy bedroom right here.

some details:

make miniature plate hangers

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onward!

11 ideas for your scraps

Bonus scrap idea!

Check my free pattern page for more ways to use your awesome scraps.

If you’ve got a great scrap project idea share it in the comments!

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You will need:

So sweet! I hope you make wax paper snowflakes!

Do you get my free weekly-ish newsletter? There are tips and tricks, ideas, stuff to try, all the latest news and blogposts and extra stuff, just for subscribers, delivered mostly on Friday. Pretty much.

you will also need:

make a mini straw hat:

I hope you make tiny hats! share your photos with the tiny rag doll community by using #annwoodpattern and #missthistlesociety on instagram.