If you’re a maker, chances are there is a stash of scraps taking up space in your craft room. Not enough for a big project, but surely the right amount for trying out the perfect stash busting project (therefore making room for more new yarn!). Roxanne Brathwaite, the creator of Suite City Woman, has been using her scrap stash to create miniature home décor, a popular trend in the crafting world. Keep reading to learn more about Roxanne, her miniature furniture and how to make your own! what is miniature home decor? The tiniest trend in home décor, miniature or dollhouses houses are smaller scale versions of your dream home and for crafters, art and design lovers a chance to play with their creativity. Ranging in style, from classic to bohemian, to everything in between, these miniatures will have you itching to try out the tiny trend, and explore a world of mini weaving, small scale macrame, rug making, and more. getting inspiration with roxanne brathwaite Roxanne is a maker, restorer, and designer with a passion for vintage furniture, home décor and art. As a child, dollhouses provided endless hours of play, “What made my dollhouse experience perhaps different from other children is that I tossed out the dolls and played with the furniture. Adorning the rooms of my dollhouses then were a combination of molded-plastic furniture and furniture I made from found objects from around the house.” At the on-set of the pandemic, Roxanne started her series of miniature installations, Suite #1 and Suite #2, as a way to reconnect with a childhood past time. Photo of Miniature Installation Suite #2 by Roxanne Brathwaite how to make minature woven pillow Weaving lends itself nicely to miniatures and it’s very easy to do. You can modify the steps below to complete miniature pillows of different sizes, rugs, or wall hangings. This tutorial makes one lumbar 2” x 1.5” pillow which is more rectangular in shape and is made to a 1:12 ratio. Supplies: Sturdy piece of cardboard, approx. 2.5” x 4”. This will be your loom. Yarn for the warping. The warp is the foundation of your weaving and goes up and down across the notches on your cardboard loom. For this tutorial Roxanne separated the strands of Lily Sugar ’n Cream in Ecru and used two strands for the warping. Yarn or yarns for your weft (Your preference of thickness and colors, this is the yarn or yarns that will make up the weave). Darning or tapestry needle Scissors Ruler Swatch of fabric for back of the pillow back Stuffing for pillow (Roxanne uses a combination of scrap yarn and cotton puffs) Needle and thread Sewing machine (optional) Utility knife (optional) Step One: Start by making your loom. Cut your sturdy cardboard to about 2.5” x 4”. Create notches across the top and bottom (about .125” apart and deep) with scissors or utility knife. To warp, separate two strands of Lily Sugar ’n Cream in Ecru. Tie a small knot at the end of your yarn, then carry the yarn from the top to the bottom using the notches to hold your yarn in place. Continue doing this all the way across the loom until you come to the end. Tie a small knot at end. Keep the knot on the same side as your beginning knot. Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite Step Two: Thread your darning needle with a weft yarn. In an over and under motion work your way to the end of the last warp then return doing the opposite over and under stitch. Gently push the yarn down so that it rests snugly on top of the previous row. You can use your darning needle or a fork for this step. Continue. Change yarn colors, thickness, or textures as desired. Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite Step Three: Continue to a height of about 1.75”. Remove from loom by cutting warp yarn about an inch away from your woven piece. Take two warp strand and tie a knot close to your weave. Do this for top and bottom. This will keep your weave from becoming loose. Once knotted you can cut the warp yarn to about .125”. You can also cut your weft yarn leaving about .125” tail. Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite Step Four: Take your woven piece and turn it wrong side up over your pillow back swatch. If your weaving is neatly done it may not matter which side is the wrong or right side. Sew all three sides. Carefully turn inside out and use the open end to insert your stuffing. Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite Step Five:The final product. This woven technique will also work for pillows of different sizes, wall hanging and rugs. F706 Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite The Final Product: Photo by Roxanne Brathwaite more inspiration Explore some more itty-bitty patterns to stitch up! Let us know which miniature item you will be making, and don’t forget to post your stash busting projects on social media and tag @Yarnspirations and @suitecitywoman to share your miniature home décor. Let us know which miniature item you will be making, and don’t forget to post your stash busting projects on social media and tag @Yarnspirations and @suitecitywoman to share your miniature home décor.
