unSpooled
  • Home
  • Galleries
    • Tuffet Gallery >
      • Student Tuffet Gallery
    • Quilt Gallery
    • Costume Gallery
  • Retreats
  • Tuffets
    • Tuffet fabric requirements
  • Store
  • Blog
  • About
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • FAQ
  • Classes

want to make a tuffet?

5/31/2015

26 Comments

 
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.
Picture
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.
26 Comments
Eleanor Masters
6/1/2015 08:25:49 am

I don't know what has happened to my resolution... no new project until old ones finished. Why or why do I feel I JUST have to make one - sure I am not alone. I cannot wait to get the materials together.

Reply
Cheryl at unSpooled link
6/1/2015 09:57:33 am

Isn't that always the case!?! They are just like potato chips. Let me know if you need anything!

Reply
Robyn Evans link
6/1/2015 09:44:59 am

Thank you for explaining what is needed to make a tuffett, I have a pattern but was at a loss what I needed to finish one! Do you ship overseas? I guess the postage would be a lot, I would like to make one if I can get all the bits and pieces, many thanks Robyn.

Reply
Cheryl at unSpooled link
6/1/2015 09:58:38 am

I would be happy to ship overseas. I'll do the best I can to figure out the best postage. Send me an email at cheryl.a.schenck (at) gmail.com.

Reply
Betty Staniulis
6/1/2015 10:02:29 am

Where or how can order and pay for pattern and materials?

Reply
Cheryl at unSpooled link
6/1/2015 11:22:02 am

Hi Betty,

You can order right here on my website. Try www.unspooledwi.com/store. If you have problems email me at cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com

Reply
Gale
6/1/2015 12:18:40 pm

Where do you teach in Wisconsin?

Reply
Cheryl at unSpooled link
6/2/2015 05:53:11 am

Hi Gale,

Right now I have classes scheduled in Ripon, Madison, Mukwonago, and Reedsburg. I'm willing to travel, though, if you're not near any of those shops. Contact me at cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com.

Reply
Cheryl Schenck
6/1/2015 02:35:28 pm

Hi Gale,

Right now I have classes scheduled in Ripon, Madison, Mukwonago, and Reedsburg. I'm willing to travel, though, if you're not near any of those shops. Contact me at cheryl.a.schenck@gmail.com.

Reply
Gale
6/2/2015 09:23:30 am

I live north of Adams/Friendship. You go to Quiltessential in Madison? I'm in the area once a month (Hubby has appointments 4th Tuesday monthly). I asked Rosemary about doing the 2 classes closer together (Monday & Friday same week) or farther apart (week of 4th Tuesday 2 months in a row).
We've put 87,000 miles on a 2 1/2 year old car, trying to cut back on some driving.
Gale

Reply
corki duncan
7/8/2015 09:18:25 am

I want to email this to a friend, how do I do it?

Reply
Cheryl Schenck
7/8/2015 12:02:28 pm

Hi Corki! Here's a link:

http://www.unspooledwi.com/blog/want-to-make-a-tuffet

Reply
Julie Trinklein link
7/12/2015 06:05:32 am

What did you mean that the next step was a toilet flange. Didn't see that in the supplies.

Reply
Cheryl Schenck
7/12/2015 07:03:39 am

It's not a requirement but it makes the job easier. I bring one for my students to use when tying the button cording.

Reply
Connie
9/7/2015 07:35:04 pm

All I need is the needle and the board with the holes in it and the bolts and nuts.. where would I get this and how much would it cost thank you


Reply
Jo glenn
7/30/2016 07:20:44 pm

I would like the set to make the tuffet please let me know what the price is thank you Jo Glenn

Reply
Sue smith
9/8/2016 06:15:03 pm

Can I get more than one interfacing and how much thanks. Is there a video that tells you and shows you thei way to make

Reply
Mary
9/18/2016 07:42:08 pm

You tuffet kit was great! I have made the tuffet and all went well except for the button. I'm having some difficulty getting it on. HELP! Please!

Reply
Renell
10/2/2016 12:12:26 pm

Reply
Cheryl A Schenck link
10/4/2016 05:09:08 pm

Hi everyone, just so you know, if you leave a comment here, I'm likely to get back to you via email so that you're able to see my reply for sure. Thanks!

Reply
Maggie Sullivan
10/7/2016 08:28:39 am

Do you ship to Australia? For obvious reasons I cannot take a class.

Reply
Dixie Timmerman
10/31/2016 10:56:58 am

Do you have any classes in Janesville WI, or Rockford, IL?

Also would like to know times and class prices and kit prices. Can we finish a Tuffet in one class?
Thank you, Dixie

Reply
Jan Busch
1/11/2017 03:45:17 pm

I don't know if you answer random questions - but I have one regarding my first tuffet. I'm trying to sew my 8 panels together but the narrow end is so thick, my needle won't go through them all! Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Reply
Cheryl at UnSpooled link
1/11/2017 05:09:29 pm

Hi Jan! I haven't had that issue come up when I've taught students (over 200 of them) so I suspect something is going on that's out of the ordinary. First, make sure that you're holding the seam allowances out of the way. Second, check the size of your needle -- if you're using something small, that might be the problem. Try a quilting size 90/14 or even a jeans needle. Also, I use my zipper foot so that I can get really close. Lastly, you don't need to sew all the way to the dot! You can stop about 1/4 from the dot. If you've already sewn some panels together to the dot, just sew as far up as you can. If you're still having problems, email me at cheryl (at) unspooledwi (dot) com (but make it look like a real email address -- that's just to fool spam robots) and send me photos and I'll try to help.

Reply
Leslie
1/19/2017 06:09:08 pm

Would your pattern work for neckties?

Reply
Cheryl at unSpooled link
1/19/2017 08:59:40 pm

Hi Leslie,

Yes, they definitely can! I'll email you with some more information.

Cheryl

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    November 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015

    Categories

    All
    Blog Hop
    Classes
    Commissions
    Focus Through The Prism Challenge
    Quilts
    Shop
    Shows
    Skating
    Student Tuffets
    TBT
    Troubleshooting
    T Shirt Quilts
    T-shirt Quilts
    Tuffet
    Tuffet Retreat
    Tuffets
    Tutorials
    Website

    RSS Feed

All images on this site are (c) unSpooled, LLC. Thanks for reading this far. You want to make a tuffet, right? Don't forget to like unSpooled on Facebook!