Make a… needlecase
Designed by: Susan Penny Stitch count: 47 high x 49 wide Design size: 9x9cm (3½x3½in) Stitch time: 6 hours
Step 1 STITCH
the cottage front in the centre of 13x13cm (5x5in) of white aida, using two strands of stranded cotton for the cross stitch and one for the backstitch and long stitch. Fold the aida on the outer edge of the stitching, so that the unstitched aida is on the reverse side. Trim away some of the seam allowance, leaving about five squares of unstitched aida on the back.
Step 2 CUT
a 15x9cm (6x3½in) piece of blue felt, and a 16.5x9cm (6½x3½in) piece of red felt, to make the case and needlecase leaves, and then cut a 10x2cm (4x¾in) piece from red felt for the chimney.
Step 3 PIN
the aida, with the seam allowance folded to the back, on one end of the red felt, with the remaining red felt below the cottage. Pin the blue felt over the flap of red felt at the bottom, tucking one of the short edges of the blue felt between the red felt and the stitching. Sew the layers together by oversewing around the edges. The cottage will be backed with red felt and you will have a blue felt flap below the cottage with a shorter red felt flap behind it.
Step 4 FOLD
up the needlecase so that the blue felt flaps forms the front of the cottage roof. Using small, sharp scissors, cut away some of the roof so that it scoops up in the middle. Using one strand of red stranded cotton, stitch a row of running stitches around the edge of the roof, and using two strands make a heart shape, using roughly placed cross stitches – refer to the photograph for placement.
Step 5
FOLD the felt cut for the chimney in half widthways, and using blue stranded cotton, make a row of running stitches down both sides. Catch stitch the chimney to the back of the needlecase. Make two plaited lengths of stranded cotton, adding a knot to both ends. Sew one onto the cottage front below the scoop in the roof, and one to the blue felt roof above. Tie in a bow to keep the needlecase closed.