Sew What? by Debbie Shore: Hot water bottle cover for you to sew!

As the nights get colder, snuggle up to this soft fleecy covered hot water bottle! It’s fully lined so you don’t see raw edges on the inside, and would make a perfect present for anybody, young or old. I’ve used fleece not just because of its softness, but because it’s a knitted fabric so has a bit of stretch which helps when you pop the bottle inside.

Materials:

· Hot water bottle

· Card and pen to make a template

· 24” x 18” outer fleece

· 24” x 18” lining fleece

· Scraps of cotton fabric for the appliqué [I used a template but this could be anything you like, or nothing at all!]

1. Place your hat water bottle on the card, and draw around one half of it, 1.5” larger than the bottle.

2. Fold the card in half, and cut out the shape. This makes the template symmetrical.

3. Cut one piece of outer fleece and one from lining, using the template. Using your free bird template, cut out a couple of bird shapes and a branch from the cotton scraps. Arrange on the outer fleece, a little Stick and Spray for fabric will help keep them in place as you sew.

4. I used a tiny blanket stitch to sew on the appliqué on my machine, but you could sew by hand if you wish.

5. Take your card template and fold over the top by 7”. This is the bottom of the back of the cover, cut one from outer fleece and one from lining.

6. Then fold the bottom of the template up by 6”, this makes the top of the cover. Cut one from outer fleece and one from lining.

7. Take the two top pieces and sew right sides together along the straight side, then do the same with the two bottom pieces. Then fold over so they’re the right sides out. Placed the pocket bottom section on top of the front of the cover, with the lining side facing upwards.