These little cuties are just the thing when the weather isn't being friendly. They will make you and your loved ones all glowy and toasty and are the perfect partners to a rainy day movie or can't put it down book. They also make a quick and easy get well soon present to anyone in need of a hug!
You will need:
0.5 metre/yard pretty floral fabric of your choice (I used a large leftover scrap)
0.5 metre/yard co-ordinating lining fabric
1.5 metres/yards co-ordinating binding, 4.5cm/1.75" wide if shop bought with one fold running down each side vertically. Cut 6.5cm/2.5" wide if making yourself at home to give a folded width of 3.25cm/1.25".
0.5 metre/yard batting of choice ( I used a large piece leftover from making a quilt)
patchwork template or cardboard cutout (optional)
hera or other marker
quilting and sewing threads
scissors, needle, pencil, paper, quilting pins, measuring tape.
Using the above diagram as a reference, lay your hot water bottle onto a large sheet of paper and draw around it (do not follow around the neck too closely as above) adding a 1cm seam allowance, label this as your 'back piece'.
Lay bottle alongside 'back piece' pattern and draw around the bottom two third's only extending past the curve of the neck by about 7cm (overlap with front flap) again including a 1cm seam allowance. Draw a line across the top, label this as your 'front base' and label the overlap.
Lay bottle alongside 'front base' pattern and this time draw around the top third only again extending past the neck curve by about 7cm (don't forget your 1cm seam allowance). Label this as your 'front flap' and label the overlap.
Cut out your 'back piece' and lay this onto your other pattern pieces one at a time checking that they all correspond and making any last minute alterations. Cut the other two pieces out. Lay the 'front base' pattern down and lay your 'front flap' on top checking that they do indeed overlap by around 7cm. Fold your pieces in half vertically and check they are symmetrical.
Give yourself a pat on the back and make yourself a cup of tea.
Use your patterns to cut the three pieces from your fabric.
Lay your lining right side down, lay your batting/wadding on top and place your three cut out fabric pieces onto this so that they all fit nicely leaving at least a few cm's all around each. Keeping everything flat and smooth as you do, use your quilting pins to baste your layered fabric/batting sandwiches. Seperate into three pieces by cutting squarely all around and leaving a generous margin of batting/lining around each.
Use your plastic patchwork template to draw a quilting design onto your three pieces with your marker (I have removed quilting pins from above photograph to show design more clearly only).
Using your quilting thread stitch the design you have just marked out in place, this is nice to do whilst watching a movie. Repeat for other two pieces. Alternately you can machine quilt the pieces should you wish.
When finished your pieces should look something like this. Carefully cut the excess lining/batting away from your three pieces. Attatch binding along the top edge of your 'front base' piece and along the bottom edge of your 'front flap' piece. Place your 'back piece' right side down onto your work surface, lay your 'front base' piece on top right side up lining up the side and bottom edges. Now place your 'front flap' piece into position lining up the side and top edges with your 'back piece'. Thread baste/tack the three layers together with long stitches. Pin your binding in place and attatch in your usual way, I use a machine to sew to the front and then hand sew the back.
Stand back and admire your handiwork. Never be disappointed on a cold day again!
This tutorial is appearing on Make and tell Monday at the 6 0'clock stitch.
ADD A LINK!
If you happen to make one of these covers and feature it on your blog, feel free to pop a link in the comments below. I'd love to see your version!
I want to make one now!
Posted by: clare | 03/07/2009 at 07:59 PM
Great can sure use this Thank you so much
Posted by: Judy | 05/12/2009 at 04:54 PM