Across the Pond to the Tooth Fairy's House

I can’t help it – it is just the way I am ..... I like things to have a function.  It is true that sometimes I make something that has no practical purpose but just looks so darn good - like this month’s Across the Pond sew-along project – the house ornament from Retro Mama.

This turquoise house hangs on my wardrobe door (when it isn’t hiding amongst the trees) and it is a joy to look at.  It is simple yet elegant and contains three of my favourite fabrics – black/white check, red gingham and Bonnie & Camille's Vintage Modern on the roof. 

The free pattern and excellent tutorial can be found on Retro Mama’s website.  There you will see houses adorned with rick-rack and pom-pom trim, with birds and door numbers. 

Retro Mama's Neighbourhood of House Ornaments

However, when I made my turquoise house I didn’t even have ribbon to hand so, in the make-do-and-mend spirit of a quilter, I used a strip of black-and-white check fabric in its place.  I added a window and some button flowers to the back and left the bird off the front.  

I love the simplicity of my version though Retro Mama’s houses are truly awesome.  But whilst I love my turquoise house and have chosen it as this month’s project, I couldn’t help but tweak it slightly to create a purpose for this wonderful little ornament.  So may I present ....... {drum roll} ......... the Tooth Fairy’s House. 

I know what you are thinking - it looks identical to the turquoise house but with different fabrics.  Ahh, to see the real difference we need to nip round the back.

Still can't see the difference?   Perhaps this will help .....

I have adapted Retro-Mama’s pattern slightly to add a pocket to the back so that children can put their tooth in the pocket and hang it on their bedroom door or bedpost.  The tooth fairy no longer has to creep about, searching under pillows and sleepy heads, for that pesky little molar.  Instead she can extract the tooth (excuse the pun) and pop a coin in the pocket ready for when the child wakes up.  Cool eh? 

And as every household should have at least one Tooth Fairy House I guess I better tell you how easy it is to add this extension to the Retro Mama house ....... 



Add any embroidery if desired, before pinning to back of house

Firstly cut out the house pieces as per Retro Mama’s tutorial (step 1) and cut an extra rectangle of ‘house’ fabric that is as wide as the house template and 5½” deep.  Fold it in half, wrong sides together and press. 



When you cut the corners out of the bottom of the house pieces (step 2), repeat the process on the bottom (raw edges) of the folded rectangle.  This rectangle forms the pocket and should be pinned to the right side of the bottom of the house back so that the raw edges match the bottom of the house.  (The house back is the non-interfaced house piece.)

Pocket lies on top of house back

(If you want to embroider the back pocket, as I have done, you will need to do so before you pin the pocket to the house.) The pocket is stitched in place when you stitch the house pieces together.  Simple. 

Whether you add a pocket or not this is a quick and easy project that will take little more than an hour.  So why not jump on-board for this month’s Across the Pond sew-along.  There is a Flickr group and discussion thread for any questions or tips – I will check in regularly throughout the month.  And we’re a nosey lot on-board this SAL so please post a photo of your finished project in the Flickr group so we can check out your neighbourhood.

Sew until next time ......