Hot water bottle cover tutorial for Braintree Clothing

Now that the nights are drawing in, it’s tempting to stay indoors and keep cosy and warm with a good book.

So to keep out the chill I’ve made this soft woollen hot water bottle cover, which is simply finished with a decorative trim and blanket stitched edge.

I bought my fabrics from the Cloth House in London. They have a beautiful range of materials and vintage trims to choose from. 

You will need:

Wool fabric

Cotton thread

Scissors

Pins

Sewing machine

Embroidery thread/needle

Trim

Paper

Iron

Step 1: Make the template:

Make a paper template by tracing around your hot water bottle, adding an extra 6cm (approx) all the way round, this allows room for filling your cover with the hot water bottle and seam allowance. Make three copies of this same template. The first (A) will be the front. The second (B) cut off the bottom by 12cm to create the back top template. The third (C) cut off the top by 17cms to create the back bottom template. These two pieces will make up the back opening of the cover.

Step 2: Cut out your patterns:

Lay and pin your templates onto your wool - I've used this lovely aubergine brown wool from the Cloth House.

Cut out all three pieces. 

Step 3: Sew: 

Press and pin a 1 cm fold along the straight edges of pieces B and C.

Sew down these folds.

On the front edge of piece B sew on your trim. 

Step 4: Sew together:

Place piece (A) front side facing up, then lay  (B) on top and then lay piece (C) on top of (B) facing down with right sides together and  all outer edges aligned. Pieces (B) and (C) should overlap by about 3/4cms.

This will become the opening of the cover.

Pin all the edges together.

Sew the layers together around the pinned edges with a ½ cm seam allowance.

Out of the curved sections cut little notches and snip off the corners for a neat edge when turned out.

Turn the entire piece inside out by using the opening.

Press the piece flat.

Step 5: Embroider:

I've used a contrasting pink embroidery thread which looks great with the wool I've chosen.

Using the embroidery thread sew around the edge of the cover using a blanket stitch. Make sure you sew through all the layers. Don't worry if this isn't perfect, it all adds to the handmade charm.

Your hot water bottle cover is now ready to use.  Simply fill your hot water bottle and insert it into the opening. 

Have a go at this project and share your pictures. Just tag your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #BThoughtful_Makes and the user names @btreeclothing and @foundandsewn. 

Autumn days

I love this time of year, don't you. I'm working on another great sewing tutorial which is perfect for these bright chilly Autumn days. I really hope you like it. I'll be posting it in the next couple of weeks.

I had last week off work for my birthday and I made the most of the sunshine by visiting secret gardens, these pale pink anemones are so pretty. Catching up with friends, long countryside walks, picking apples and blackberries to make crumbles. I spent a couple of days in London with my boyfriend, we stayed at the gorgeous Artist Residence boutique hotel in Pimlico. It was so nice I hardly wanted to leave, but we were tempted out by, the most delicious breakfast at 26 Grains in Covent Garden, walking along the Thames to Borough Market for doughnuts and to visit the National Portrait Gallery.  to see the Audrey Hepburn exhibition. 

I hope you are enjoying October too.

autumn into winter

It feels like those warm autumn days have finally turned into winter and time to be indoors working on new projects, cooking hearty soups, lighting candles and snuggling under wool blankets.

Here are a few photos of my recent days; a trip to London, while the sun was still shining, walking along the sparkling Thames to Borough Market  and on to Brick Lane for a coffee, some people watching and a browse around the old streets and shops.

A relaxed Sunday spent drinking tea and eating cake with my lovely friend Natasha. It's always great to have time for a proper chat, to share ideas and plans. 


Pink Roses from the Garden are now looking pretty and in full bloom on my mantle piece.

What do you love about the change in seasons, now that winter is here x

 

flowers everywhere

An extra hour to the day as the clocks have gone back for the winter months. I'm planning to use my extra time to get outside for a run across the park this morning, even if it's grey and windy. I feel like I've been stuck inside at work lately missing all the bright autumn days.

I bought this pretty loose uplifting petal tea the other day, I love the ritual of making it in my vintage rose cups, sometimes it's nice to take time with these things . On my floral theme, a beautiful pink orchid and my homemade liberty lamp brightening up the living room.  My desk is full of vintage flowers and lace as I've been making lots of vintage flower cards for the lovely Rosie B's in Chipping Norton.

What have you got planned for today? 


 

sunday bits

What a gorgeous day it's been today! One of those perfect sunny autumnal days that you want to last forever....
This post is a bit of a catch up, as finding time to take photos seems difficult at the moment, but I'm hoping to get back on track soon. It's been interesting reading how people find time for their blogs and I've been getting some tips here. I'd love to know how you all fit it into your day?

I'm reading this lovely Cath Kidston book, which also looks pretty on my sewing room shelf amongst the jam jars of buttons.
I've been busy sewing away and my desk is currently covered in floral fabrics, ribbons and sketch books.



Blue stripy bunting that I made for a new shop opening... (more on that soon)



...Cup of tea with my mum in her sunny kitchen, don't you love this pale blue teapot. And finally picking lots and lots of cooking apples. We are storing some for the winter and I've been making quite a few apple crumbles. x

all that glitters...

A few shots from the last few days.....a little bit of calm, warm autumn light, white hyacinths waiting to flower, a messy workroom and a slight obsession with glitter.

 

autumn days

Great weather for taking photos, so many lovely autumn colours to see.

I've been outside as much as possible, going for long walks and when at home I'm making pumpkin soup, tidying my work space to make button purses.

I've used vintage glass buttons to give the purses a precious feel.