Hollyhock Cottage

Cottages like these are always popular with collectors and make charming ornaments for the home. On this page there are instructions for making a needlepoint tapestry tea cosy and an embroidered tablecloth. Many tapestry tea cosies were made in the 1930's and 40's in a variety of attractive designs.

The cosy would have been purchased with the design already painted onto the canvas, but it would not be difficult to paint the design freehand yourself. A cottage like this, with chimneys, would be made in 4 pieces; front, back and 2 side panels (called gussets). The design is worked in cross-stitch in coloured wools. To make the appearance of the finished article neater remember to have the top stitch of each cross pointing in the same direction. If you mark a line showing the direction of the top stitch somewhere on a blank part of the canvas, that will aid your memory.

When completed, the canvas needs to be dampened and stretched into shape. As it dries it sets in the new shape. Sew the pieces together and put a padded lining inside, to keep the teapot warm.

The linen cloth has been embroidered with a pretty cottage and garden design that it would be lovely to copy, matching the colour of the threads to the decoration on your tea set.