Fabric dollhouse tutorial
you will need
Fabric for the interior: 9 inches by 21 inches and two pieces 6 inches by 9 inches
Fabric for the exterior: (same as interior) 9" x 21" and two pieces 6" x 9" ..........::
two 10.5"x 13.5" sheets of plastic canvas (I used #10 mesh) ..........::
fleese two 9x21 inch pieces and 4 6x9 inch pieces
Buttons and elastic cord
2 Sewn fabric strips for handles (optional)
1. From the plastic canvas cut out..........three 4" by 6" rectangles..........two 2¾" by 6" rectangles..........and 2 house-shaped pieces with 4" base, 4" sides and 2¾" roof (see diagram A)
The pieces should fit together like this:
2. Using the 6" x 9" pieces, place an interior fabric piece right sides facing an exterior fabric piece, place 2 fleese pieces on top. Mark 1/2inch seam allowence around end piece. Sew around 3 sides of the sandwiched pieces leaving the bottom open. turn the fabric and fleese inside out. the two fabric pieces should be on the inside the fleese on the inside. Slide the plastic canvas Repeat for the other end panel.
4. Using the 9" x 21" pieces, place the fabric right sides facing 2 pieces fleese on top. The following should then be sandwiched between the fabrics, so that their edges / ends will be caught when you sew along the side edge of the fabrics:..........one of the end panels..........elastic loops (or flap for velcro or zip or ribbons for ties at both ends - whichever you chose).Again, I like to first sandwich the batting covered panels between the fabrics - in the order shown in the 2nd diagram above - and pin the fabrics around them, including a pin between each panel, to ensure that I will have a good fit and also to mark the correct placement of the end panel and the loops for the buttons. I place the button loops at the corners of the roof panel (the 2 3/4" x 6" panel). After I have marked the edges and the correct placement, I then remove the panels, leaving just the end panel and the button loops sandwiched, ready to be sewn on. .I used contrasting fabric for the roof panels and the garden panel, but you can use just a solid piece of material. I sew them like patchwork strips onto the main interior or exterior panels, using the pinning method to ensure correct positioning. Sew along line A to B, catching the bottom of the end panel and the edge of the button loops. .
5. Pin the handle between the fabrics, with ends facing outwards (optional). Sew along line C to D, catching the ends of the handle..
6. Repeat step 4 for the other long side of the rectangle. Turn it right side out and slide in the canvas panels in the order shown in the second diagram (roof panel - 2 3/4" x 6", then wall panel - 4" x 6", then floor panel - 4" x 6", then wall panel - 4" x 6", then roof panel - 2 3/4" x 6") . Pin between each panel to keep the panels in place. Turn the edges of the opening over and pin closed - pinning the ends of the other handle and an additional button loop (optional). It should now look like this:
7. Sew the opening closed, catching the ends of the handle and button loop, if used..
8. Add a couple of stitches between panels to keep the panels in place and remove the pins..
9. Hand sew the edge of the end panel to the wall and roof panel on each side, so that it forms this shape:
10. If using the button loop closure, sew buttons onto end panels and roof panel to match the loops. I appliqué the exterior decor on at this point (the window and door, in this example) as it is easier to position them correctly at this point.You're done. I know I'm not very good at explaining things clearly, so let me know if I've confused you. Really, they are very simple to make.
