Continuing on from this post…
Materials :
- 2 metres (or yards, it doesn’t really matter) of good quality polarfleece
- sewing machine and thread (I guess you could do this by hand if you wanted to)
- scissors
- tape measure
Note: I’ve taken photos of a small model I made to show you how to box the corners – hard to explain, but easy once you can see how it’s done. Please note that it’s not to scale (and I don’t have giant hands).
1. Fold the fleece in half lengthwise, right sides together, so that one selvage is on top of the other. Stitch a 60 – 70cm seam as shown, about 1cm in from the selvages.
2. Line up the middle of the fabric with the seam and pin (still right sides together – don’t turn it out yet).
3. Cut away an almost square from each corner – 13cm/5″ wide by 14cm/5.5″ high. Note: you’re cutting through two layers of fabric.
4. Now stitch across the bottom, using a 1cm/½” seam allowance.
5. Now we need to “box” the corners. Open one of the squares and line the bottom seam up with the opposite corner of the square you cut out. Here are lots of photos (not to scale):
6. Sew across the corner.
7. Repeat on the other side, then turn the whole thing right side out. All done! I like to hem the top edge as well, just to be neat, but it’s not necessary, as the fleece won’t fray.
Now…sit on the lounge, tuck your feet into the pocket (with the selvage seam at the back) and wrap up warmly!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
I was only thinking this morning how good polar fleece is,
you might remember 10 years ago you made me a purple and jade pull over, it is still going strong and the polar fleece is showing no signs of getting thin etc. Hope you are on the mend, cheers to toastie feet.
Nearly better, thanks Moo. Glad to hear the sweater is still going strong – astonished, but glad! :)
Hmmm…you lost me at step 6. I can’t imagine what those opened out boxes end up looking like. Think I have to just trust you on this one. You eat a lot of chocolate so you must be right :).
Now I have to go to spotlight for some fabric. I am blaming you for the carbon or whatever it is I am emitting by driving from one side of Sydney to the other in search of these things I read about on your blog. Great idea by the way…I am sure my whole family will want one.
Hope you are feeling better. Some warm water, lots of lemon juice, grated ginger, honey and a good slug of something alcoholic is what my husband makes for me when I get the flu. The alcohol puts me to sleep if nothing else!
It’s really tricky to explain but honestly not hard to do. I found some more pictures of the process here – it was used in that instance to square off the base of a tote bag. If it’s still too hard, you can always just sew the bottom closed without cutting out the squares, or easier still, just use the fleece as a blanket. :) I don’t just eat a lot of chocolate, I look like I eat a lot of chocolate…hahaha
PS. Thank you – I am feeling a lot better. Ginger tea is our remedy!
Ah….I get it now. Thanks.
Let me know how you go! Or email if you get stuck.. :)
Brilliant tutorial Celia, such an awesome idea!
:-) Mandy xo
Hi, just wondering what type of sewing machine you use to make your different bags/beanies or if there is one you’d recommend?
I just use a regular domestic Janome. Any sewing machine should work.