Because life’s celebrations shouldn’t cost the Earth

Tuesday 23 September 2014

Appliqued Hot Water Bottle Cover

 Upcycled Wool Sweater


September's Cuddly Buddly Design Team Challenge is entitled 'Teenage Christmas' and it proved to be just the nudge I needed to start my festive stitching.  I decided to make an appliqued hot water bottle cover using a Benetton vintage cashmere sweater, which cost me just 20p 'ready felted' (shrunk!) from my local car boot sale;  


I then downloaded and resized this 'Santa Sitting' digi stamp so that his face filled the front of my cover and got stitching. 


Pure wool felt is bliss to sew with as it doesn't fray and feels super expensive.  It's also ridiculously easy to make - Simply throw a 'hand wash only' woollen jumper into your machine on a hot wash.  Heck, I've even sometimes created it by mistake!


For a complete cuteness overload, gently rouge dear old Father Christmas's cheeks with a red colouring pencil.


 The back of the case features a simple overlapping envelope closure, in the style of a pillow case.  


This was such an easy project to make but it looks looks and feels so much more expensive than the usual polyester 'knitted' covers that the shops are full of at Christmas.  I have written a simple step-by-step tutorial over at the Cuddly Buddly Blog and don't forget that 'Pound Stores' sell hot water bottles nice and cheaply should you want to make your own.

Digital stamps are perfect for applique and you could even make a matching card for a real 'Wow Factor'.  Just have a look at this stunning example;



It was made by the very talented Wendy over at Crazy4FlowersCards, her whole blog is full of fantastic creations and well worth a visit.


Happy Christmas!


21 comments:

  1. Loving your hot water bottle - it looks great!! Too sweet to warm your toes up on!!

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  2. Aaargh! Christmas already! Please .... nooooo :) He's rather a cute Father Christmas though and perfect on the cuddly hot water bottle cover. :)

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  3. Double Aaargh! Not the "C"-word. Not thinking about that yet although I have had my first mince pie of the season. This looks so snuggly and soft. I love the applique and it is such a cute card too. Xx

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  4. Oh Josie love your hot water bottle! it's gorgeous and so cute....Thanks for showcasing my card using the fabulous Santa Sitting image, must use it again this year :)
    Wendy x

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  5. It was my pleasure to include your card Wendy, all your creations are gorgeous x

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  6. Lovely, makes me feel all warm inside, won't be long before I'll be raking my bottle out, in fact it's quite nippy tonight.
    Briony
    x

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  7. This is adorable J! So snuggly and cuddly and a great way to up-cycle! Jxo

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  8. What a lovely thing to cuddle up with on Christmas Eve while your waiting for Santa to arrive.
    Ali xx

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  9. That's just gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to cuddle up with that hottie all through Christmas.

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  10. Congrats on this beautiful Christmas finish :)

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  11. Love your hot water bottle- looks rather fun to do :)

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  12. That hot water bottle cover looks so soft and cosy. It's lovely.

    Have a lovely crafty week, Alison

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  13. What a fab bit of upcycling, its the cutest Christmas hot water bottle ever! It would be such a lovely gift to receive, teenage or otherwise :) x

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  14. Absolutely love this Josie, I think I may have to get this digi! xx

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  15. Fantastic upcycling! What a great way to use a digital stamp too! Think it is going to be hot water bottle weather very soon! xx

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  16. What a fabulous project - it would make a great gift for someone with cold toes! It's just so cute and gorgeous! x

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  17. I love it, I'm sure someone will just adore receiving him for a Christmas present.

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  18. I love how you have used the ribbing for the envelope neck. It is gorgeous.Great tip about using digi stamps for applique *off to check out my stamps* #handmademonday

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  19. I love to snuggle up to a hot water bottle and this one looks perfectly snuggleable :)

    Jan x

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  20. Popping over from Ho Ho Ho ---- that is really a GORGEOUS upcycle - lucky recipient!

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