doll bassinet tutorial - part 1

Have you ever heard that phrase, "History is the study of the past to learn for the future"?  Well, I'm pretty sure whoever said that wasn't expecting it to apply to blogging, but I like grossly misapplying things. ;)  I learned two things from my pillow buddy craft and tutorial that spanned the length of two months:

1. I need to start my crafts till Christmas before the last week of the month.
2. I need to make the tutorials more manageable in length so that I'm motivated to get them done.

So this month I started on my craft - the doll bassinet - a little bit earlier.  And I'm breaking the tutorial up into two parts.  This makes it easier for me to get it done.  

In this post (part 1), I'm including:
the materials needed for the entire project
the instructions for the lining of the body
the instructions for the lining of the hood
the instructions for the straps/handles

Part 2 will include:
the instructions for the outside of the body
the instructions for the outside of the hood
the instructions for putting it all together
   

The Doll Bassinet - Part 1

Here's what you need for the whole enchilada:
1 - 36 x 6 inch piece of fabric for the outside body
1 - 36 x 6 inch piece of fabric for the inner lining of the body
1 - 36 x 6 inch piece of high loft quilt batting
1 - 36 inch strip of ribbon
1 - 13 x 7 inch piece of fabric for the outside bottom of the body*
1 - 13 x 7 inch piece of fabric for the inner bottom of the lining*
1 - 13 x 7 inch piece of high loft quilt batting*
1 - 16 x 9 inch piece of fabric for the outside of the bassinet hood
1 - 16 x 9 inch piece of fabric for the inner lining of the bassinet hood
4 - 22 x 2 inch strips of fabric for the straps

*As you can see, the bottom pieces have rounded edges.

Here's what you do for the lining and the straps:

1)  Pin one long edge of the 36 x 6 inch piece of lining fabric around the 13 x 7 inch piece of lining for the bottom.  Although it didn't really matter with my fabric, pin these piece right sides together.  Sew together about 1/4 of inch in from the pinned edge all the way around.  Then pin and sew up the seem where the ends of the long piece meets.  Put lining body aside for now.

2)  Take 16 x 9 inch piece of lining fabric for the hood and cut an arch on one long side of the fabric.  Best way to do this is fold fabric in half and cut so the arch is symmetrical.  The first pic is of the fabric folded with arch cut.  The second pic is off the fabric unfolded so you can see that the arch is pretty shallow.

3)  Fold arch piece in half and pin the side opposite the arch.  Pin along that edge about five inches (see second picture).  

4)  Sew the five inch section.

5)  Take the opening between the last stitch of the 5 inch section and the fold and open it.  Then flatten it so it is perpindicular (or makes a T) to the five inch section. 

6)  Pin and sew along edge.  You should have a T-shaped side when finished.

7)  Pin strap pieces right sides together.  Sew down each long side.  Turn and top stitch down both sides again.  You don't need to close up the two open short ends.  (For some reason, I totally spaced the turning and the top stitching photos.  Oops!)

At this point, you have the lining of the body, the lining of the hood and the strap done! 

Woo hoo!

Stay tuned for the outside of the body, the outside of the hood and assembly.

(Edited later to include . . . click here for part 2)

In the mean time . . .

craft on!

I may linke to some of these great parties!