3.30.2009

How to make a peg doll cottage

Dolls - of any sort - are my girls' favorite toy. They can spend hours together in imaginary worlds creating lives for miniature people. To add to their collection of abodes (they tend to mix and match - Lego men in Polly Pocket's house, peg people in a Lego home), I created a cottage house from felt. 

Because lets be honest, I like those hours spent in imaginary playtime - they give me hours of real craft-time. Anything that will encourage more play is good for me.  Because fostering my children's creativity through fanciful play is one of my top priorities...


Supplies: 
12x18" sheet of stiff craft felt (I found mine at Hobby Lobby); A variety of coordinating regular craft felt; Craft glue; Embroidery thread; Buttons; Narrow elastic


I began by cutting out the stiff felt using the pattern piece (click HERE to print the pattern). 


I lightly scored along each of the fold lines to encourage the felt to bend.


Because this felt is resistant to staying folded, I also used a warm iron (with fabric placed on top to protect the felt) to help reinforce each crease line. 


The next step was to join each edge with embroidery floss.


Once each seam was joined (except one wall of the house) and the roof was sewn to the base, I attached a button to the roof and a small piece elastic to the top of the side wall. The elastic will loop around the button allowing the house to open and close.


The final step was to embellish the cottage with doors, windows, flowers, etc. Craft glue is an excellent (and easy) adhesive for affixing these items.


The house has been a hit with the girls; perhaps building a village of these cottages is in order. Imagine how busy that would keep them...


26 comments:

Hazel Mayfield said...

The cottage is adorable and would be a cute gift for the Easter bunny to leave.

Susan said...

Put a little handle on top and they can carry it on errands and such with their dolls inside.

Susan said...

You could also embroider the embellishments on the house before sewing together. You could put a little table and chair on the wall inside too. The ideas are endless! Oh, what a great and easy gift for a child too.

Kristin said...

Mom, I had thought of having the easter bunny leave it, but I know that Georgia would figure out that I had made it!

Kristin said...

Susan, I LOVE your ideas! I had thought about a handle, but didn't go through with it... I might have to add that. It would be great for church.

Diana said...

That is absolutely adorable. You're so creative!

Tiffany said...

So cute! I can just imagine Christmas and Thanksgiving houses...

Karen said...

Great idea that I think even I could start and finish! I've got to see if Hobby Lobby in my area has polka-dot felt!

One question. Do you have any tips on cutting the regular felt?

I usually end up with stretched out pieces that don't really look like the shape I'm after?

The cool family! said...

You seriously are the most creative person I 'know' (online anyway!)

Christian said...

Seriously?! That is awesome, kudos for the terrific idea!

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

I love this. LOVE this!!! I was thinking Easter basket...but I want to make it tomorrow so that my children can play with it this week! :)

~ Sarah

Andrea said...

That is just precious! Love it!

Cairen said...

That is so darling! You are so creative, I love it!

Rachel said...

How fitting that the world's cutest dolls live in the world's cutest house! I'll be linking.

SoBella Creations said...

The cottage is adorable!

Anonymous said...

OK! That is the cutest thing ever! I really want to make one! I just hope I can! Thanks so much for directions and pattern! Good luck to me!

Shannon Willcutt said...

Hey Kristin! I FINALLY got to go to Hobby Lobby today...remember the closest one is an hour away from me :( I found me some peg people...I am so excited...got to get my creative juices flowing (or my copycat creative juices flowing)!!

Annette W. said...

ADORABLE! Crafty Crow sent me over to see your little creation. Some day I am going to get some peg dolls and create this too!

I look forward to more of your blog!

Anonymous said...

You're on the craft crow!

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

Love it ... I'm adding this to my project list. Thanks so much for sharing!

Little Razzle Dazzle said...

This is too stinkin' CUTE!! I can't wait till my little one is old enough to play with peg people.

MamaWestWind said...

SO sweet! I love this! I'm making some peg dolls right now for Easter. My son would love this little house to go with them. Thanks for the idea!

Elisabeth Black said...

That is painfully cute.

KelsyC said...

That is so cute! I'm gonna have to save this one!

Alyssa said...

I will be designing some felt furniture for this house. It is amazing what you can make for just pennies!

TheMomma said...

Thank you! I just made one (only my second hand-sewing project ever) for a 4 yr old's birthday.
I made mine into a "garage" for a motorcycle I'd bought him. It *just* fit inside. I ran out of time to glue the decorations on, so I tried drawing them with a thick sharpie and it worked great!

He was playing with them when I left, so it must have been a hit. Thank you!