Sunday 15 June 2014

Polka-dot Tea Cosy with Applique Hearts - A Sunday Snippet Make

Afternoon Folks

Yes, really, snippets of fabric and ribbon! Which means I will be skipping over to Di's and joining fellow snippeteers at Pixie's Snippets Playground for Week 129.
In yesterday's post I wrote that I was planning to do a bit of sewing. I've been meaning to make a new tea cosy, to replace the tatty old one we've had for years, ever since we moved here, and yesterday seemed to perfect time to stop procrastinating and get on with it.

Luckily I had enough leftover fabric from all the cushions I've been making for the girls in the family ... already posted here and here. Debbie Shore's book, Half Yard Heaven, provided the instructions, though I adapted the measurements to suit our teapot for two and I used some heart-shaped dies as a template for the applique. In fact, it took longer to measure, cut out and prepare the pieces, than it did to sew everything up on the machine. A dinner plate, as suggested in the book, made the perfect template for shaping the top of the cosy.

The heart shapes were traced out on to iron-interfacing which is then ironed on to the fabric and cut round to create the applique pieces. Next, the smaller white/black dotty heart was stitched to the larger black heart using a close zigzag stitch and then the two hearts were applied to the front piece of red dotty fabric. After that it was just a question putting all the pieces together, including a loop of black/white dotty ribbon at the top, sewing it all up and finishing it off by following the instructions in the book.

The EM is delighted ... the cosy looks perfect with our chosen colour scheme - white units, very pale grey walls with pops of red from the window blind, pot holders, red kettle and a few poppy decorated bits and bobs ... and I love it, it's so Minnie Mouse dotty :)

Now I have to scoot. We are off to visit another open garden this afternoon. It's been touch and go whether we would because it rained this morning but the sun is out now and everything is drying up nicely - just in time :)

Hope you are having a sunny Sunday too.

Happy Crafting,
Materials used: fabric - red/white polka dot for top, plain black for lining and larger of the two applique heart shapes, white/black for smaller heart shape; wadding/batting;  X-cut Homespun Heart die set to use as templates; iron-on interfacing, white pencil and an air erasable pen; black thread 
Tools: sewing machine, cutting board, rotary cutter, scissors, tape measure, pins, and snips

12 comments:

scrappymo! said...

It looks so pretty with the poppy canisters and bread box behind.
A perfect finishing touch for your pretty room.

Sandra H said...

Oh Elizabeth this is sooo pretty x

Marie-Louise said...

It's gorgeous Elizabeth - I love it.

Di said...

Fabulous Elizabeth! I bet your kitchen looks lovely, white with the splashes of red - crisp yet cheerful.

Hugs, Di xx

Cathy said...

Such a cute tea cosy Elizabeth, great idea to use heart dies for your template. I must remember to use my stash for more than cards too! Cathy x

Debs Willis said...

Elizabeth, the tea cosy is FAB-U-LOUS!! I love it, especially the minnie mouse dotty, maybe a pair of snippety ears in the future???
Hugs
Debs

Bobbie Lynn said...

Adorable Elizabeth. The fabric is really cute and perfect for a cozy.
Have a wonderful day.

Jean said...

A lovely bright and cheerful looking tea cosy.
Jean x

Bonnie said...

This is so pretty, Elizabeth!

Jackie said...

A beautiful tea cosy, it would look good on any table :o)
Jackie xx

KandA said...

What a fabulous tea cosy and it looks perfect with the poppies on the tins behind xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Elizabeth,
what a super piece of sewing snippets.
You don't see many tea cozies these days, so it is fab that you can make your own.
I love my tea from a teapot and tea leaves.
It's much more tasty too.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.