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Free DIY projects

These are projects I've come up with myself. Please note that although they're free they're still copyrighted. That means you can't repost copies of my instructions and charts on your website or forum - please post a link instead!

Feel free to do these projects with your mini group, or use them to make gifts and swaps. But don't use them to make items or kits for sale, or to teach for profit. If in doubt, please ask first!

• Any scale
• 1:48 (or 1/4" scale)
• 1:144 (dollhouses for dollhouses)
• 1:87 (or H0)

Any scale

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  Photo box

  Makes it easier to take good photos of miniatures and other small objects.

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  The garden center

  An overview of all my small-scale flower DIYs - how to create flowers in any small scale.

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  Basic flowers

  Techniques to get you started making small-scale flowers.

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  Needlepoint chart index

  An overview of all my free charts; both 1:48 and 1:144 scale.

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  Fringing methods

  Fringe and faux tabby weave give needlepoint rugs a neat finish.

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  Easy-to-make tassels

  Mine are 1:48 scale, but you can make them any size you want.

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  Minis in a lantern

  An inexpensive lantern can make a nice display for a favorite miniature.

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  Silver clay miniatures

  Some hints to get you started making small-scale minis from silver clay.

1:48 scale

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  Candlesticks

  'Turned' without a lathe. Also hints for making other traditional candlesticks.

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  Kerosene lamps

  Victorian table lamps made from beads and findings.

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  Chandelier

  Suits Victorian and later eras.

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  Ceiling medallions

  Intricate designs cast from plaster of Paris.

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  Victorian table

  A center table for your Regency or early Victorian drawing room.

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  Art Deco table

  Based on a design in a period interior drawing.

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  Phonograph

  Make yourself an Edison Amberola 30 dating from 1915, and some cylinder records.

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  Parrot

  Sculpt and paint a paper­clay parrot.

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  Books

  Three different methods, for different type books.

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  Paper bag

  Vary the size to make shopping bags, grocery bags, giftbags...

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  Hatbox

  Cover a dowel slice to make a non-opening hatbox - easily adapted to other small scales.

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  Shoebox

  A block of wood covered with paper - make boxes in any size or scale.

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  Wrapped gifts

  Properly wrapped gifts, with ribbons and bows.

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  Party accessories

  Balloons and serpentine streamers.

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  Trashcan

  A real metal trashcan.

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  Crocheted bedspread

  If you like crocheting, you can make a whole bedspread in an evening!

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  Neoclassical rug

  89×97 stitches and 7 colors. This rug dates to the 2nd half of the 18th century.

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  Baluch rug, early 1800s

  32×56 or 61×82 stitches and 4 colors.

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  Bell pulls

  6–7 stitches wide, 2–10 colors. They could also make 1:12 braces, or 1:24 curtain pull backs.

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  Savonnerie, circa 1850

  65×89 stitches and 8 colors. A lot of counting, so maybe not a beginner's project.

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  Leshgi rug, circa 1850

  45×73 stitches and 6 colors. I used this prayer rug for a generously sized bedside rug.

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  Beshir rug, circa 1850

  48×93 stitches and 5 colors. Stitch the background a solid color for a different look.

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  Heriz rug, circa 1880

  53×95 stitches and 7 colors. Medium size, but based on a huge full-scale rug.

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  Aubusson rug, 1880

  83×119 stitches and 10 colors. Requires careful counting.

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  Afghan rug, circa 1900

  49×73 stitches and 4 colors. You can add repeats for a larger rug.

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  Arts & Crafts rug

  95×119 stitches and 4 colors. Designed by C.F.A. Voysey in 1902.

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  Stickley rug, circa 1910

  31×57 or 47×71 stitches, 4 colors. Add repeats for other sizes. Design by Gustav Stickley.

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  Stickley rug, circa 1910

  35×67 or 67×83 stitches, 3 colors. Adding repeats for other sizes is easy.

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  Stickley rug, circa 1910

  33×61 or 103×129 stitches, 2 colors. Larger size comes with a Greek key border.

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  Swedish 1935 rug

  49×69 stitches and 5 colors. Based on a designer rug by Märta Måås-Fjetterström.

1:144 scale

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  Introduction

  Some general info on my 1:144 scale projects, and the tools and methods I use.

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  Tudor trestle table

  Suits many settings from pubs to Tudor manors.

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  Tudor bench

  A bench to go with the trestle table. Good for outdoor settings too.

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  Tudor stool

  I've also used these for low bedside tables.

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  Tudor chest

  Storage space in a Tudor home, or a family heirloom today.

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  Georgian four-poster

  A grand 1780s bed, plus a colonial option.

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  Georgian chests

  Chest-on-chest, chest of drawers, and clothes press.

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  Georgian fireplaces

  Various designs suitable for a late Georgian house.

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  Art Deco table

  Sofa table based on a period design.

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  Steel tube chairs

  The Ceska chair fits any era from late 1920s to today. Variations included.

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  Steel tube tables

  Round, rectangular and side table, plus a little 1950s or 1960s stool.

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  Steel tube bench

  This bench is based on a circa 1930 illustration.

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  Bedroom furniture

  Wardrobe, bed, bedside table, and chest of drawers.

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  Sofa and chairs

  My approach to upholstering furniture.

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  Slipcovered chairs

  No need to worry about fragile chair legs with this design.

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  Dining table

  A basic table design that can be adapted to any height or size.

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  Paper printie quilt

  Prepare a paper printie to make it look more like fabric.

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  Christmas tree

  This tiny tree comes with several different hints for decorating.

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  Wreaths and swags

  Make wreath and swags of any shape, for Christmas or Summer.

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  Vase

  A basic vase made from waste. Also hint for making a glass pitcher.

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  Candlestick

  A basic traditional design, suitable for any era.

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  Urn

  'Turned' without a lathe. Also learn a nifty painting techniqe for making abstract designs.

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  Chinese rug, circa 1700

  39×67 stitches and 4 colors of thread. Suits Georgian as well as modern settings.

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  Georgian flower rug

  41×41 stitches and 4 colors of thread. Enlarge or reduce the size to fit your room.

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  Axminster, circa 1780

  37×53 stitches and just 3 colors of thread - pick three shades of any color you like.

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  Aubusson, circa 1850

  45×55 stitches and 9 colors. This Victorian rug is not for beginners, as counting is tricky.

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  Kazak rug, 19th century

  29×53 stitches and 6 colors of thread. Google "star kazak" for different color schemes.

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  Ersari rug, circa 1900

  30×42 stitches, 4 colors of thread, and a simple design makes this rug the easiest to stitch.

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  Tabriz Heriz rug

  39×57 stitches and 5 colors of thread. Designed for 48 count.

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  Watering can

  A basic method that can be used in all small scales, to make watering cans of any proportions.

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  Lavender bush

  Method can easily be adapted to other scales.

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  Peony bush

  Method can easily be adapted to other scales.

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  Lupines

  Method can easily be adapted to other scales.

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  Delphinium

  Method can easily be adapted to other scales.

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  Crown imperial lily

  Method can easily be adapted to other scales.

H0 (1:87 scale)

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  Lilac bush

  Make a lilac bush for your model railroad or miniature garden.