want to make a tuffet?

If you'd like to make your own tuffet but you don't live in Wisconsin or near one of the other tuffet affiliates to take a class, then you can find what you need in my shop. In this post, I'll go over exactly what you'll need to make your tuffet.

1. Tuffet pattern and printed interfacing. This includes the instructions for making the tuffet. It also includes a full set of printed interfacing to make one tuffet. If you want to make more tuffets after the first one, you'll just need the interfacing.

2. Tuffet kit. This includes all of the "innards" of a tuffet. In it you get a wood base (with strategically-drilled holes), four tee nuts, furniture-grade upholstery foam, upholstery batting, a button form, and cording. These are all of the unusual things that aren't going to be readily available at your quilt shop or, really, anywhere else easily accessible. These are things that I generally order many of at one time in order to price them reasonably.

3. Fabric requirements. Oooh! The fun part! It breaks down like this: you really just need 64 strips that are 2 inches wide. You can do that to have every strip different. You can also use 32 strips and have them repeat. This makes a mirror-image tuffet which can be quite striking. My Kaffe Fassett tuffet is like that.

See the two yellow strips? They are directly opposite from each other.

You can also use a jelly roll. These are quite often 44 strips and they are 2 1/2 inches each. There's no need to trim them; they just produce more waste. Of course, if you use a jelly roll, you will likely end up using half strips, so you'll have some fabric left over. That's okay. Just know that it will happen.

So, aside from your strips for the top, you'll need a fat quarter for the bottom of your tuffet, and a square of about six inches for your button. This is a great time to fussy-cut something.

Also fabric, but not the fun kind, you'll need 1.25 yards of muslin to which to fuse the interfacing.

4. Quilting-related tools. Aside from fabric, you'll also need the following tools that you probably already own: Rotary cutting mat, rotary cutter, sewing machine, thread, an iron and ironing surface, scissors, and straight pins. Additionally, you'll need a 12 inch Add-a-Quarter ruler. I'm thinking of adding these to my shop. Let me know if you think I should.

5. Weirdo upholstery tools and supplies. Here's where you discover the benefit of taking a class versus making a tuffet at home. When I teach classes, I bring things like safety glasses, ear protection, upholstery-grade staplers, staple pullers, pliers, files, hammers, and other tools. I also bring upholstery foam adhesive spray, upholstery thread, staples, and upholstery needles, including a 12-inch upholstery needle. I've also thought about offering those in my store. Any thoughts? [Update: I now offer the 12-inch upholstery needle in my store here.]

Nail heads are an option for finishing the bottom of your tuffet. You don't need them if you are going to glue some sort of trim, or if you don't expect to be showing the bottom of your tuffet much. Many of mine just have staples, but nail heads can be attractive.

6. Feet. I stock many different kinds of feet. Unless you want to set your tuffet on the floor, or you have your own source for feet, you'll want to choose a set.

So, if it's your first tuffet and you can't take a class with me, you'll want to order the pattern (which includes interfacing), the tuffet kit, and a set of feet. If you already have the pattern, then you just need to order the interfacing, tuffet kit, and a set of feet. Nail heads are optional for either situation.

UPDATE: I now offer 12 inch upholstery needles and Add a Quarter rulers in my store, as well as a finished tuffet form. Also check out the Complete Tuffet Kit which includes everything you need except a sewing machine, fabric, an iron, and basic sewing supplies.