Make a bed book

1. Download and print the templates from sewmag.co.uk. Using the template, cut out 28 paper hexagons and lay each one on cotton, 8cm square. Trim round the edges, leaving 1cm of fabric around the paper. Fold the edges over each side of the hexagon and tack in place. Arrange and lay out a top row of nine hexagons, a middle row of ten and a bottom row of nine.

2. Match up the edges of the first two hexagons of the top row, right sides facing. Taking a fine needle and thread, make small whip stitches through one joining edge only, making tiny stitches so the needle avoids the paper and only pierces the cotton folds. Repeat to create each row, adding in one hexagon at a time. Lay the rows out in order.

3. Pick up two finished rows of hexagons, right sides facing. Meet up the corresponding edges and stitch together as before, working down the length of the rows. Add in the third row. Remove the tacking and paper templates. Open out the zig zag edges of the top row and lightly mark the crease lines on the reverse side, with a pencil and ruler.

4. Gently press the whole piece of quilting, then lay on top of cotton, right sides facing. Pin together, sew directly over the marked zig zag lines along the top row. Continue the stitching down the left side only, leaving the bottom edge and right side open. Turn through to the right side and gently press each seam.

5. Cut wadding to size and insert between the layers, then tack to hold. Cut an outer piece of cotton and a lining, 20cm x 42cm. Lay the lining flat, right side facing. Lay the quilting on top, right side facing, with the open edge meeting up with the left edge of the lining and with the bottom edges meeting up. Tack together.

6. Cut two cotton strips for the fastening loops, 3.5cm x 16cm. Fold each in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch down the length and turn through to the right side. Add in a 10cm length of elastic through each tube, stitch to secure across one end, pull the opposite end of the elastic to reach the other end of cotton and stitch to secure.

7. Fold each in half to make a loop and lay, facing inwards, at equal intervals along the right side edge of the lining. Pin in place. Lay the outer fabric on top of the quilting and lining, right sides facing. Stitch all round leaving a 12cm turning gap along a bottom edge. Turn through to the right side and press. Cut wadding to size, add in between the outer and lining, then close the gap with ladder stitch.

8. Cut ten rectangles of cotton, 4cm x 6cm each. Lay two together, right sides facing, stitch all round leaving a small turning gap. Turn through to the right side, fill with wadding and close the gap. Attach each pillow at regular intervals along the lining, making a few stitches through the back of the pillow and the lining. Fold the bed in half like a book and stitch two buttons opposite where the loops lay for fastening.

Sew bears

1. Download and print the templates from sewmag.co.uk. Place two sheets of felt together and mark a bear body template. Pin the felts together through the marked body and cut out together to create two identical pieces. Snip out two arms in the same way and sew together using running stitch. Mark and cut out two ears then press iron-on adhesive to the reverse of contrasting felt and cut out a nose and tummy.

2. Press the nose and tummy to a body piece, embroider a nose, mouth and eyes. Add running stitch around the tummy. Bring the body pieces together again, adding in the ears and arms between the layers. Sew together using a running stitch all the way around.