Making your own bedding, curtain, cushions and your own clothes is not always the most economical approach as there is a vast amount of ready-made duvet cover sets and other bedding available to buy at very low prices.But some time the standard size or a complete coordinating look, including bed drapes, is not readily available. Then the free illustrated instruction on this site will teach you how to make your own unique styles.Your own unique style is the most important element for any type of home design.
Bean bag Cushion Instructions These large floor cushions are ideal for children and grown ups alike, not to mention the family pet. Filled with polystyrene balls, beanbags are both warm and comfortable as they mould to your shape. As an alternative, they can be filled with foam chippings but these tend to make the beanbag…
Making a Throwover Bedspread Instructions This is the simplest of bed covers and can be made in variety of fabrics from lightweight cottons to heavy quilted. They can be made to match, co-ordinate or contrast with your colour scheme. A throwover bedspread is a rectangle of fabric, which can be lined, that drapes over the…
Making a Pleated Valance Sheet Instructions A valance sheet is a combination of a fitted sheet and a bed valance and is usually made from sheeting fabric so that it has no seams in the sheet section and can be easily laundered. A valance sheet is made in two parts, a sheet that fits over…
Making Housewife Pillow Cases Instructions Plain pillow cases, known as housewife pillow cases, are very easy to make. They are cut in one piece from across the width of the fabric, although plain fabrics and those with nondescript patterns can be railroaded (turned through 90 degrees) if they are not wide enough. The fabric is…
Fitted Sheets Instructions Fitted sheets are neater than flat sheets and stop all those “puckers” when you move around during the night. They are usually made from sheeting which is available in cotton, cotton-polyester mixtures, and brushed cotton or for that really warm feeling flannelette. Most sheeting fabrics come in a range of colours and being…
Fitted Bedspread Instructions A fitted bedspread gives a more tailored look than a throwover bedspread and can be made to match, co-ordinate or contrast with your colour scheme. They are made in two sections, the top and the skirt. The top is the same size as the top of a made up bed, is lined…
Duvet Cover Instructions Duvet covers come in a range of styles all of which are easy to make. They are best made from wide fabrics to avoid the need for seams. These are readily available in sheeting, cotton and polycotton all of which are easy to launder. Coordinating colours and designs can be incorporated in…
Bed Valance Instructions A fitted bed valance, bed skirt or dust ruffle is suitable for divan beds and covers the sides of the bed down to the floor. It is made in two sections, the top, which goes under the mattress, and the skirt, which can be either gathered for a feminine look or…
Types Stitches Hand Sewing Throughout the instructions on this web site we have used a varieties and different types stitches hand sewing, the more commonly used are illustrated below. Backstitch Backstitch is the strongest hand stitch and is used to imitate machine stitches. Work backstitch from right to left. • Begin with a couple of…
Seams for Sesing Throughout the instructions on this web site we have used a variety of seams. Seams are a way of joining fabric together and the more commonly used are illustrated below. Flat Seam A simple way of joining 2 pieces of fabric together with a single row of stitches. • Place the fabric…
