Dotti's Castle has been a project on my mind for a few years now, the smaller Lindenhof House project was my first attempt at recreating my Nan's (Dotti) sewing box. Which was a house shaped sewing box, where you lift one roof panel to access your sewing trinkets. While I adore my mini notions house, it didn't capture the magic of opening the roof panel to peer inside.

Once I had solved the engineering issue of a hinge made of fabric that wouldn't wear out (you really can't have any stitches) it was full steam ahead. Working with the basic house shaped construction idea, I went on to improve the original idea: there are two removable drawers (one partitioned), a removable tray and a fixed tray with multiple compartments.

I have also catered to those who truly want a bespoke make! You can craft your  internal side panels and one piece or two, allowing you to match the sides to your fixed compartments or add in another fabric print.

For those of you who would like to back this onto a wall, or have smaller spaces to work with, there is a second roof option that does not have an eave on the back side of the house. This saves you an inch off the overall design footprint.

Finished Size - 7 ½" Deep x 11" Wide x 9" High. 

This PDF includes;
• Basic “how to” EPP Instructions.
• 66 print at home templates.
• Full assembly instructions. 

From your stash you will need;
• Approx. 2m of fabric, ideally a mix of prints or scraps.
• Glue baste E.g. Sewline (glue stick also works in a pinch).
• General sewing supplies e.g. needle, sewing thread and thimble.
• Office paper and a laminator OR Card stock around 200 - 250gsm.
• Craft safety knife and ruler OR sharp paper scissors.
• Quilters clips / bulldog clips / clothes pegs.
• Flexible craft glue (attaching roof to Castle structure).

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: A lot easier than you would think, adventurous beginners would be fine as long as you can trust the process.


*** FAQ's ***

Do you I need a laminator?
No you don't, this is just a technique you can use if your printer does not like printing on card stock (like mine).

What weight card stock is best?
If you can print on card we recommend that a stock 220GSM - 300GSM be used, it needs enough bulk to hold the sides up but you also need to work within your own comfort zone.
 
Do I really leave the papers in?
YES!! Unlike traditional EPP our card stock templates stay in permanently. This is what creates, and holds the structure of our unique patterns together.

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Welcome to Cake & Ale! Our mission is all about combining the charm of traditional quilting with a fresh, modern twist. We're here to bring you patterns that you can lovingly handcraft using techniques passed down through generations. But guess what? You don't need to dedicate weeks to these projects – you can finish them up in just one weekend!

Now, if you're new to the world of hand sewing, don't worry. We've got your back. We're all about something called English Paper Piecing (EPP). This technique involves wrapping fabric around paper templates, kind of like creating a snug little fabric hug around them. This gives you the foundation to create these seriously intricate and spot-on shapes.

Once you've got these fabric-covered templates, it's like putting together a puzzle. You stitch them up, piece by piece, to form a work of art that looks like you spent ages on it. It's like magic, but with needle and thread.

So, whether you're a seasoned stitcher or just dipping your toes into the world of hand sewing, we're here to provide you with patterns that marry tradition and innovation. Get ready to create pieces that will leave everyone thinking you're a crafting rockstar – all in the span of a weekend!