Felt House Along Week 2: Ice Cream Wall

Last week I drew up my plans for my felt playhouse and got all my felt.  I had to buy it 72" wide, so there is TONS left for more stuff.  This week I got going.  I cut out my 4 walls & roof pieces, adding 1 inch seam allowance on each side.  So for my table (35 wide x 29" tall ) I had 4 - 37"w x 31"h and 1 - 37"w x 37"h.

I started with my Ice Cream Parlor side.  I laid out my placement for the window, menu sign and cooler and marked them with tailor's chalk.  Using those measurements, I cut out the necessary add-ons & window hole.  I used a plate to make the curve of my window and shutters. I cut 3"x3" squares and hand cut them for the letters.  I added an arch and scalloped rectangle to make the window trim.  I then pinned everything in place.

I stitched on the letters to the white window trim before sewing those pieces onto the wall.  Same with the pink menu sign.  I used inkjet fabric sheets (I love using these!!) to print out the menu & used pinking shears to pretty-up the edges of the sign.

 

 

For the cooler I made it a removable bag, so I stitched the ice cream cones to the front piece and velcro on the back piece and sewed together the sides.  The last step was to sew on the letters for "Serena's", the other side of the velcro for the cooler and the shutters.  My big word of advice for anyone making one of these is to use a lot of pins (or cheat & use tacky glue if your kids are pretty gentle on stuff - mine are not).  I got cocky & only used a few (assuming the felt would stay put) but such a big piece means the layers shift around while sewing, so I had to rip out the window arch & restitch it when it turned out a little cock-eyed.

I plan on making some felt ice creams to put in the cooler, but will do those & other "removables" once all the walls are done.  For more felt house fun, check out: