Handmade #2:Doorway Puppet Theatre

One thing we don’t have a lot of is space, so it makes sense to utilize every. single. spot in our condo the best we can.  Doorways aren’t just for doors anymore… it is all about this cute Puppet Theatre.

Begin with your cut fabric pieces:
POLKA DOTS: (1) at 14” x 36”, (2) at 8” x 13”
STRIPE: (1) at 29” x 36”
CURTAIN: (2) at 12” x 14”
DOWEL POCKET: (1) at 1 1/2” x 34”

Make a double 1/2” hem on one 13” side of your two 8” x 13” pieces. 

Pin the hemmed piece with it’s 8” side to the long side of your large polka-dot piece with raw edges even. 

Stitch it down, and repeat with the other hemmed piece on the opposite end of the long polka-dot piece. I finished my edges with my serger, which I strongly recommend finishing yours in whatever way you can (serger, zig-zag, rolled hem, etc.).

Iron your finished edge toward the long piece

and top-stitch it down nice and pretty.

Now, with your bottom stripe piece, do the same steps as above, pinning the 8” pieces, sewing, finishing, and top-stitching.

Now, make your side and bottom hems.  I did a double 1/4” hem.  Next, work on the top.  Your top hem (I used a separate piece of fabric, so ignore my top) is going to be a rod pocket for your café curtain rod.  Iron down a 1/4” hem, then a 2” hem.  Stitch it down, and you’ve created a rod pocket.

Now, pin your two curtain pieces to the top of your “window.”  Use lots of pins!  I used some fun crushed panne fabric for a more theatrical look. Carefully top-stitch right over your existing stitching.

Next, finish the sides of your dowel pocket.  I used muslin so it would be fraying everywhere if I didn’t serge it.

Pin any decorative trim or ribbon to the bottom of your “window” while at the same time pinning the dowel pocket on the back.  Carefully stitch your trim down, using two rows of stitching about 3/4” apart.  You will tackle two birds with one stone doing this:

Next, attach some ribbon 3” from the top of your “window” on both sides.  This will hold your curtains open.  I suggest using Velcro on your ribbon for little kids, but I didn’t have any on hand!

Place a café curtain rod in your top pocket, and a 1/4” dowel in your dowel pocket (you might want to trim a tiny bit of your dowel, I think I will), and hang that doorway theatre up!

You have now created a fun place for kids’ imaginations.  My next task is figuring out whether or not I want to go through the trouble of making puppets, or if I should just print and laminate some clipart…

Linking up here throughout the week:
{Making the World Cuter}, {Today’s Creative Blog}, {Sew Much Ado}, {Blue Cricket Design}, {Someday Crafts}, {Somewhat Simple}, {Fireflies and Jellybeans}

(p.s. you can always make things easier, albeit less exciting, but simply cutting a hole in a big piece of fabric, and adding curtains and a top rod pocket.  But hey! This was fun! I think I spent $10, using thrift and sale stuff.)