I'm excited to start the new year with a fun new project tutorial and a matching fabric giveaway to go with it! First up is today's new free download pattern project: a Fun Igloo Pet House!
With a little imagination, and a bit of fusible foam, these polar themed fabrics have been transformed into a fun and functional little igloo that makes an ideal house for cats & small dogs.
The foam & fleece lined sides give it the classic igloo-style curved shape.
These adorable new Polar Opposites fabrics on each side are perfectly suited for an igloo (and make it extra fun!). The soft blue and grey shades are a fun cool neutrals. The tiny polka dots pair sweetly with the whimsical arctic & antarctic animals. Adorable walruses, polar bears, penguins, and everyone's favorite, the narwhal!
We don't have any pets, but we do have a baby with lots of animal toys. This igloo house seemed the perfect place to be able to easily stow his little plushes:
As you can see, he's a big fan of it already:
The large opening makes it easy for little hands (or paws) to get in and out:
I created this free pattern & tutorial as my first 2019 project as a member of Team Timeless.
Now that I'm sharing it here too, I'm adding a gift for my lovely readers....
I'm giving away a big bundle of this fabulous fabric collection to a lucky Sew Can Do reader!
But first, let's get to making a pet igloo!
Finished Size:
14" x 14" x 14"
Materials:
- 2 1/2 yds 20" wide single sided fusible foam*
- 1 1/4 yd 44" wide fusible fleece*
- Yard stick, rotary cuter, iron, disappearing marker, pins, hand sewing needle
- My FREE Pet Igloo Pattern Download HERE
* Both can be found in the interfacing section
Download my free pattern pieces (set printer to actual size and check against the square inch on the page), then print, cut out and tape base halves together per the instructions.
Cutting Instructions:
Fabrics
Fold fabrics, selvages together, and cut around pattern pieces, adding an extra 1/4" all the way around for the seam allowance:
- Cut upper side igloo pieces from 4 fabrics (I used Kidz-C6812-Navy, Kidz-C6814-Blue, Dot-C1820-Dove, Dot-C1820-Silver)
- Cut lower side igloo pieces from 4 other fabric (I used Kidz-C6813-Ice, Kidz-C6815-Grey, Dot-C1820-Steel, Dot-C1820-Smoke)
There will be two pieces of each print cut (for both outside and lining).
From remaining fabric:
- Cut a 14 1/2 "x14 1/2" square from 2 fabrics for the base pieces (this includes the seam allowance). I used fabrics Dot-C1820-Steel and Dot-C1820-Smoke.
Stabilizers
Put paper pattern pieces together and tape along center to make a full side pattern. Cut out the stabilizers, but do not add any seam allowances.
Fusible Fleece
- Cut (4) side igloo pieces
- Cut (1) 15"x15" igloo base
Fusible Foam
- Cut (4) side igloo pieces
- Cut (1) 15"x15" igloo base
Take one side piece each from the fleece and foam, fold in half widthwise and cut out the front opening space along the pattern's center cutline.
These will be for stabilizing the front side with the opening.
Assembly:
With right sides facing, pin, then stitch together the bottom edge and top edge of the igloo upper and lower sides.
I did the following print pairings:
Dot-C1820-Dove & Kidz-C6815-Grey
Kidz-C6814-Blue & Dot-C1820-Smoke
Dot-C1820-Silver & Kidz-C6813-Ice
Kidz-C6812-Navy & Dot-C1820-Steel
There will now be 2 sets of 4 igloo sides. Press seams flat.
Separate the pieces into two matching sets. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of one set according to the manufacturers instructions, fuse the foam to the other, leaving the 1/4" fabric seam allowance around all sides.
Take the front pieces and fold in half, right side inward.
Cut out the opening area, using the stabilizer as your guide, leaving a 1/2" allowance.
Start with two igloo outer sides. With right sides facing, pin, then stitch together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Start where the stabilizer begins at the bottom and stop stitching where the stabilizer ends at the point of the igloo.
Add other sides to complete the outer. Do not cross over previous side stitches at this end. This will keep the seams laying flat when turned. Repeat this pattern of stitching for the lining.
Trim raw edges to reduce bulk and clip around curves, to make it easier to turn later. To attach the base, start by matching up one side of the square base to one of the bottom sides of the igloo and pin.
Start and stop stitching 1/4" from each end to make it easier to pivot and repeat for the remaining three sides.
Turn foam backed igloo right side out and insert the fleece backed igloo into it so the wrong sides are facing.
Carefully clip 1/4" into into the three corners of the fabric of the opening triangle. Fold fabric edges inward and pin all the way around. Slipstitch the folded edges together by hand.
Now there's a cute little igloo ready for a furry occupant to call it home:
or a fun place for baby to play:
Now onto the giveaway!! One winner will receive this 8 piece bundle of six 1/2yds & 2 smaller cuts of the Polar Opposites collection:
So much cute fabric!!! Wouldn't it be great if it were yours?
a Rafflecopter giveaway
