Craft: transforming traditional crafts

Materials

10x16" burgundy wool felt
5"x12" gold wool felt
5"x6" gray wool felt
7"x17" flexible foam sheet or dense batting
Gold, white, and black thread
4 small black pom-poms
3 small white pom-poms
2 1/4 yds black satin cord or cord elastic
Gray embroidery floss
Embroidery needle
Water-soluble marking pen or chalk

Download PDF for 8 1/2 X 11 Paper | Download PDF for 11 X 17 Paper Right click to save the PDF to your desktop. Directions on downloading PDFs.

Directions

Step 1: Download the guitar and filler templates and cut the pieces according to the instructions on the pattern. When cutting the foam sheet filler, try using a utility knife to cut through the thickness. Transfer all design details or placement markings onto the felt using a temporary marking pen or chalk.

Step 2: To create the yellow stitch pattern, stitch back and forth 4 times over each marking to make them more prominent. Watch your thread tension - if sewn too tight it can cause the felt panel to pucker.

Step 3: Add the lightning bolt detail with a yellow topstitch. At this point you can also attach the yellow felt neck to the front and back of the guitar body.

Step 4: Be warned: the next couple steps require some extra patience! Start by measuring the length of your 6 strings from the top of the headstock down to the bridge. Hand tack the end of the cords to the backside of the gray felt rectangle. Make sure they are aligned in a slight angle. Next, flip the gray rectangle over and top stitch in place. I recommend reinforcing the stitch line closest to the cords if you have a mini Eddie Van Halen in your home.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 to secure the bottom of the strings at the bridge. If you are using satin cord for the strings, tack the strings in various spots along the neck with black thread to keep them in place. If you are using an elastic cord, make sure there is just enough tension for the strings to lay flat.

Step 6: Attach the pom-pom tuning knobs by tacking them directly to the body of the guitar using white thread.

Step 7: Now that all of the details are in place, it's time to insert the filler layer and stitch the sides closed. Pinning the felt directly to the foam sheet or batting will keep everything in place and keep your side seams consistent. Use a simple whip stitch with 4 strands of gray embroidery thread.

Step 8: Our "soft" rock guitar would not be complete without a few tuning knobs. Tack the 4 black pom-poms to the side of the grey felt rectangle using black thread.

Step 9: Finish the project by removing all of the chalk or marker markings. Be sure to check for any stray pins before handing it over to your budding rockstar!

About the Author:

Andrea DeHart is a self-proclaimed Craft-o-holic living with Portland, OR. She enjoys frequent craft nights with her 2 kids and scraps rarely go to waste. You can follow her crafty creations at www.craftybitch.com.