If you are looking for a fun craft project for yourself, a gift or the school holidays, why not try making a custom felt pillowcase?! So easy, so fun and they make a great personalised gift. In place of a pillowcase you could use a tea towel, T-shirt, a piece of fabric (then frame or use as part of a quilt) - so many options! I made a few of them recently and here are my very basic instructions.

CRAFT TUTORIAL: DIY FELT PILLOWCASE

TIME:

1-2 hours

TOOLS:

• Paper and coloured pencils

• Sewing machine

• Iron

• Sharp scissors

• Pins

• Blank pillowcase (or T-shirt/ tea towel/ fabric piece)

• Various pieces of coloured felt

• Coloured thread to match the felt (or use a contrasting colour!)

• Iron-on interfacing

METHOD:

1. Take your paper and pencil and sketch out a little version of your pillowcase, and mark up the shapes and letters you’d like to include on it. Think about the scale of the different objects, and what colour you’d like them to be, and mark/colour in any of this detail.

2. Once you’ve finalised your design, sketch out to-scale versions of the shapes and letters onto another piece of paper. Cut the paper shapes out.

3. Iron the interfacing onto the reverse of the felt pieces, using a low heat (so you don’t burn the felt!) This will give it a bit of reinforcement, and will also make it easier to sew.

4. Pin the paper shapes onto the front of the felt, and cut them out with sharp scissors.

5. Arrange the felt pieces onto the pillowcase, and pin them in place.

6. Topstich the felt pieces onto the pillowcase, about 3mm from the edge of the felt, backstitching at the start and end. I use a wide stitch and set my machine to its lowest speed. Don’t worry if some of them end up a bit wonky - this adds to the charm.

7. Admire your handiwork!

If you make one, I'd love to see it so remember to share (tag me on Instagram @hellospinspin) :)