Doll Sleeping Bag and Pillow

I decided to do some bedding as gifts for Christmas (and can post this now!) and went searching online for inspiration/patterns/ideas.

I came across Mama Pea over on peas in a pod who has an amazing step by step tutorial - check it out here.  It was inspired by Vicki Walker of Expert Village who has several videos on you tube.  I also found a tutorial about pillowcases on Christine's blog - from an igloo.

I took a look at all the available inspiration (pinterest etc) and decided to follow "Mama Pea's" measurements and got started.

Now before you decide this post isn't for you..... I don't have any fancy gadgets i.e. a rotary cutter or a self healing mat big enough to use to cut material (I used my Fiskars 17x11 mat), or one of those wonderful quilters rulers or a quilting foot for my little sewing machine or any knowledge of patchworking!
So armed with my Fiskars scissors (featured above in the first photo), a school ruler, pins and determination I set to work.  

I should mention that before this the only thing my sewing machine had actually sewn was paper!!!!!

Okay... background picture painted!!!

I cut templates from newspaper - 21 inches x 13 inches (folded) or 21 x 26 (open).  I wanted to be able to make the best use of my fabric and make sure I didn't mess up!

I cut my top fabric, middle layer - fleece material and backing fabric using this template and then pinned them together at intervals.

I then stitching horizontal lines across the layers (you may see the pins are still in place).

I then rounded the corner of the layers (I used a chocolate lid as my template!).

Pin the bias binding on the top half of the sleeping bag pulling at the corners to create a rounded corner.

Machine stitch - then unpin and hand stitch the bias binding on the back/inside.

The next step is to put the bias binding over the two layers of sleeping bag (basically "sandwiching it together"!).  Don't you just love my technical terminology!!!!

 I wasn't too confident at this so I tacked the bias binding front and back with white thread so I knew that I had secured it on the back as I machine stitched.

I then added a button where the bias binding joins - you could add a bow if you wanted.  I put my Fiskars scissors next to the sleeping bag so that you can get an idea of scale.

For the pillow

I worked out my dimension (10 inches by 6.5/7 inches).  I used a long piece of fabric (20 inches by 6.5 inches) as that was what my scrap was!  I then cut two pieces to create the edge/open end of the pillow.

 I pinned the edging with wrong sides facing.

 Below are both pieces reading for machine stitching.

 I then placed them right side to right side and machine stitched.

When turned and pressed I then ran another line of stitching on top.

 

 I had already made an insert for the pillow using some cotton scraps (read hubby's old shirt!) - filled with toy stuffing and top stitched the end closed.

 I got so proficient! I made a second one in red!.

Two sleeping Bags and pillows ready for gifting!