With Mothers Day coming up, Roy was eager to create something which he, and you, could give to your mother or grandmother as a gift. Of course, it had to be simple to make, but look lovely! We went through our books and patterns looking for something appropriate, but inspiration struck when we went to look in the sewing box. I have a needlecase which belonged to my Grandmother which is simple but very sweet. Roy decided this was the perfect thing to make so we set about recreating the design so that we could share it with you.
Hat Needlecase
You Will Need:
- The pattern (you can make it bigger if you like but Roy made his about 8cm by 5cm) - Download Needlecase pattern
- Assorted felt - Roy chose dark blue for the main part of the hat, a lighter blue for the ribbon and bright colours for the flowers.
- Beige or white Wool Felt (it comes on the roll and you can get it at craft shops). The original used Dr Flannel but this is difficult to get today and can be quite expensive, so wool felt is just fine.
- A needle and cotton
- Scissors
- Pinking shears (don't worry if you don't have a pair, just cut the pattern out with scissors. The felt won't fray, you just won't have a zig-zag edge)
- A piece of chalk or something to mark the felt with.
- Glue
Method:
- Cut out the pattern pieces
- Trace around the pattern pieces onto the felt you chose. You will need two of each size hat. Trace the big hat onto your normal felt (Roy used dark blue) and the smaller hat onto the wool felt.
- Cut out the hat pieces. If you are careful, you can fold the felt in half and cut out the two pieces you need of each size hat at the same time.
- Make a sandwich with the wool felt between the big, outer hats
- Use your needle and thread to sew the top of your hat together, making sure to sew through all four pieces of felt. Only sew the top of the hat - you want your needlecase to open like a book so that Mum can keep her needles inside!
- Cut two small slits in the middle of one of the outside hats, as shown on the pattern. You will use these to thread the felt ribbon onto your hat.
- Cut a thin strip of felt to make the hat's ribbon and thread this through your hat where you cut the small slits.
- Gather one end together so that it looks like a bow. You won't be able to tie it like a normal bow so hold it in place and sew it down so that it doesn't move around. Trim the extra felt from both sides of the ribbon when you have finished. You can then fold another little piece and sew this behind your bow to make the 'tails'
- Cut out little leaves and colourful circles for flowers. You can sew these around the ribbon if you like, but Roy decided to just glue them on.
- Wait for your hat to dry and then put some nice new needles inside.
- Give your needlecase to Mum for Mother's Day.