Friday, July 16, 2010

Home Tweet Home

This is something I made for my niece in California. A week or two ago I found these fabric doll houses from UK lass in US. I knew right away that I wanted to make one, but I had a birdhouse in mind. Her tutorial is great and really easy to follow (thanks a ton for posting it!) - I just adapted it a little to get the birdhouse look I wanted.

I knew I wanted it to open on top, but I didn't want it to fold out all the way, like her dollhouses do. So I followed her basic construction method, but used a pentagon template (which I include at the end of the post) for the front and back panels.

I sewed the sides and base together into one piece, as she does (side, base, and another side piece sandwiched between two pieces of fabric). I hand stitched the front and back pieces on, matching up the side and bottom seams (I did not attach them to the roof). Then I made the two roof pieces independently (each with a handle on top and a hairband on each end for a button loop) and sewed them onto the tops of just the side pieces so the top would open like a purse.

Then I sewed on the buttons in front and back and added all the decorative details.

Lots of decorative details... OK, maybe I got a little carried away... :)

To make the birds I used Roman Socks free robin pattern. I made up the nest and eggs - the nest is a short crocheted "bucket" and the eggs were really simple rounds with a couple increases and then a couple decreases.
I love the sign on the front of their house. It makes me happy, :)
I can just picture my niece carrying this birdhouse around... I hope she likes it.
Here is the template I made for the front and back. If you print this out full size on a normal piece of paper, the dimensions will be correct. Just copy and paste the image onto your desktop, then print using the "fit to page" button. The dimensions for the rest of the plastic pieces are as follows...
1 base piece 3 1/2" x 6"
2 side pieces 4" x 6"
2 roof pieces 4" x 6"
You can probably make the construction a little simpler by sewing the roof pieces in with the sides and bottom (roof, side, base, side, roof), but then you won't have a little overhang on your roof. I cut the shingles from felt and sewed them on one row at a time using a long running stitch. The fence is also felt.
I also used template plastic instead of plastic canvas and hot glue instead of duct tape since that's what I had on hand. I actually didn't have to buy a single thing to make this project.
If you make one, I'd love to see it! Just post a link in the comments.
And again, a super huge thank you to UK lass in US for such an awesome tutorial and idea!

38 comments:

The Autocrat: Haley said...

Oh that is such a cute idea!

huntedtreasures said...

These are so cute, must have taken you a while to make them. What a wonderful relaxing hobby you have.

Hugs,

Maria & Ruth

Shauna said...

you are so talented....I would love how to make one for Teagan! Let's get together soon!

rome said...

That is AMAZING!! Rieve and I can't wait to play with it!! Thank you, Auntie Cece!

Michelle said...

So cute! I bet your niece loves it!

KimMalk said...

I laughed out loud when I saw the photo with the birdy peeking out of the door hole. Cute beyond belief. Thank you for linking with Fabric Fun Thursday.

Andrea said...

Such a unique gift,my daughter would love it.Good on you.Andrea

Katie B said...

Absolutely adorable!!

Leslie said...

this has to be the cutest thing ever. i love it!!

Miri said...

Adorable! You put a great big grin on my face when I saw this birdhouse and bird family! I'm sure your niece will just love it!

Larri said...

"Sew" adorable! There will be hours of play going on. Thanks for sharing. Happy Sewing :o)

www.seamsinspired.com

Sew Can Do said...

I LOVE THIS!!! I made some fabric birds & eggs (and I've made the "house" version), but am all about the birdhouse now! Would love for you to link this to my Craftastic party on Monday!

Fowl Single File said...

So flippin' cute! I have that very same bird fabric, so that must be a sign that I need to give this a try. Thanks for sharing it with us - it all turned out so lovely...especially the little nest!

p.s.phyllis sews said...

This is so cute! Love your work!

beth said...

very sweet gift!

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Wow, It is so cute!
Thank you for sharing!
Have a good night!
Leticia
www.msbinglesvintagechristmas.com

Carla said...

That is just to seriously cute!! Especially those little blue eggs. Your niece is going to love it.

trish said...

That is just the sweetest little bird house!!! Love the details of your little bird family too. :o)

mle said...

Oh! Isn't that sweet?! I'm sure it will be treasured and loved : )

Ginger said...

How cute? Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

Meg said...

Oh wow that is so cute!!! I love the little eggs ! And the house is a great idea!

Visiting from SSB link party

motherhoodunedited.blogspot.com

MJ said...

Found you via 'just something I whipped up Monday' link party. The birdhouse is so cute! Well done! :)

Unknown said...

"Home Tweet Home"...too cute!! They look adorable.

Artediella said...

Molto bella ,idea fantastica.Ciao Mariella

Judy Whatilivefor said...

I love it! That turned out so cute!

Maybe one day I'll have a girl to make all these cute things for...or I'll have to figure out a boy version!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Anne Maskell said...

Ohhh, I'm in love! You did such a fabulous job! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm visiting with sew can do, and I hope you visit me too.

Get Nestled In said...

Oh my goodness!! This is so, so adorable!!

Sarah@Dolls And Daydreams said...

Love it! Soooo clever, and sooo cute! ♥

Unknown said...

THIS IS THE CUTEST THING EVER! I could totally see my sweet little miss priss who will be 5 carrying this around and playing with it non stop. THIS IS PRECIOUS! Thanks so much for linking up. Jenn

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Super cute! The little birdies are adorable! You did a fantastic job! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

Unknown said...

oh very tweet indeed!

NoDebtMomma said...

Those are so cute! Great idea!

I’m your newest follower! Visiting from All Thingz Related!

Sam
Mom.Undecided. -
http://momundecided.blogspot.com/

Misty @Creative Itch said...

Simply ADORABLE!! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!

Unknown said...

Those are the cutest little birds I've ever seen! What a terrific gift! Thank you for sharing this with us at Anything Related!
{Rebekah}

Holly Lefevre said...

How absolutely cute is that! ADORABLE! The little birdies and nest too...what a great idea and gift!

Unknown said...

This is sooooo cute!

Thanks so much for linking up! I hope you join me Friday for another link party!

Also I have a giveaway going on today only, and a second giveaway starting tomorrow. Stop by and enter if you like!

Thanks so much!

Ashley
www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

Those are so tweet!!

Kat @ Black Kats Design said...

Too cute! Love the little eggs in the nest.

I’m having a new link party “Cheap Thrills Thursday” starting the 29th. It’s for creative ideas that cost under $20. I’d love for you to stop by and join in!
Kat
www.BlackKatsDesign.blogspot.com