Mr Strong Hot Water Bottle Cover

Happy Friday everyone! Thank goodness. I don't know about you but I have definitely had one of those weeks. I have gone from feeling completely in control and happy with my progress to physically so tired that everything feels like its piling on top of me - this has happened nearly everyday (sometimes more than once a day!).

 I am definitely looking forward to the weekend - a friend and I are going out for cake to celebrate the submission of out literature surveys (the 4000 word assignment I have been working on!) - I am handing mine in today and am so pleased to be getting rid of it!

This time last week was my first day after exams, I was so excited to get sewing but I was so tired that by 4 o'clock I was ready to call it a day and curl up! Anyway, before that happened, I managed to finish this week's Storybook Craft Project.

Who likes the Mr Men?

Excellent! Well I have a few Mr Men projects up my sleeve! Today is a Mr Strong Hot Water bottle cover - and I swear, by making him all fleecy - he is like a hug when he is warm!

Here is how you can make your own!

Materials

Red Fleece

Green Fabric

Stuffing

Black embroidery thread

Black Felt

1. Draw around your hot water bottle,

2. Add a seam allowance, especially round the top - add more than your think around the awkward opening - trust me you need a bit of give here!

3. Next cut out your fabric - you will need one rectangle for the front - the size of your template. And two for the back - these should be shorter than your back piece as you are creating an envelope back. But the sum of the length of the two rectangles should be 2-3" more than the length of your rectangle.

I hemmed one edge of each of the smaller rectangles, but that is personal choice!

4. Arms and Legs. You will need 4 of each. I haven't included a template as size depends on you hot water bottle. But, my hot water bottle is about 11" and my legs are 4" down and 4" wide at the foot whilst my arms are 5" long and 4 1/2" from finger to finger at the widest point. Make sure you add a decent 1/4-1/2" seam allowance that will make you job easier when turning inside out.

5. Pin the arms and legs right sides together so you have two of each. Sew round each one, leaving the end open. Turn inside out, use a pen/pencil to poke out the corners, and stuff.

6. Grab the front red rectangle. Cut two pieces of black felt for eyes and stitch/glue them in place. Then embroider the smiling mouth with black embroidery thread.

7. Cut out two top pieces out of the green using your template. This will form Mr Strong's hat and cover the awkward shaped top part of your hot water bottle

8. Pin your hat piece to your rectangles right sides together like in the picture, then sew across the top to attach it to the red fleece. Do this for both larger rectangles so each has a hat attached.

9. Lay your embroidered rectangle on your work space right side up, on top lay the arms and legs, all facing towards the inside, as shown.

10. Lay your two smaller rectangles on top, right sides facing down and pin all the way round, sandwiching the arms and legs inside. Sew all the way round, including the hat. When you get to the hat, do not sew straight along the rectangle, instead sew round the hat, this will keep the opening for the top of your water bottle.

Trim any long bits of leg left inside and turn right side out!

And that is all! Here is the finished hot water bottle case, from front and back!

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

I hope you have a warm and cosy weekend!

Who is you favourite Mr Men character?

Love Rebecca