The Joy of Snoopy
Since I was a kid, when I was given some paperback cartoon books, I've loved Snoopy, Woodstock, and the Peanuts gang. I clearly remember saving up to buy a Snoopy toy from a local shop and getting excited whenever I found Peanuts merchandise, which was pretty difficult to find because of licensing laws in the 70s and 80s. Then a few years back my kids gave me a Snoopy and Woodstock tea towel. It was far too nice to use in the kitchen and get dirty, so I hung it up as a Christmas decoration.
After recently buying a campervan with a plain and dull interior, I wanted to add some personality with soft furnishings. Since my van keys hang on a Snoopy keychain, I thought it would be fun to “rehome” some of my Snoopy plushies and use Peanuts fabrics to create some useful campervan items. The van is very small so I am limited to what I can make...
Quilt
Though the camper has blinds for the cab windows, sometimes it’s nice to separate the cab from the rest of the van. I decided to make a quilt that could hang up to divide the space or be used for snuggling on chilly camping nights.
Topper - Originally, I planned to applique a big Snoopy in the middle and build a medallion quilt around him. But then I remembered the adorable tea towel my kids gave me. Even though it’s Christmas-themed, I thought it was perfect for the quilt. Using mismatched fabrics from fat quarters and some circus-themed fabric, I made simple 9 patch blocks and started stitching the landscape orientated quilt without a strict pattern in mind. Instead of the large Snoopy applique, I drew and appliqued a Woodstock in one corner. The black stitching (anchor pearl threads) around it gave the cartoon look I wanted, and I finished the other three corners with cartoon star and heart motifs.
Wadding - Stitch It 80/20 Quilt Wadding
Backing - I made the quilt’s backing from a double duvet cover I picked up on sale.
Longarm Quilting - For a sixties vibe, I free-motion quilted swirls, big flowers, and hearts. Around the wording and Snoopy image, I chose a simple sticker-like echo stitch—not too close but just right!
Binding - The quilt was finished with a deeper striped binding, making it bright, colourful, and full of whimsical sixties charm!
Pillowcase
Using a metre of cream and black Snoopy print fabric from Modes4U, I made an envelope pillowcase for a pillow that usually just gets tossed onto the back seat. The pillowcase looks smart with crisp black piping and a tag made from Snoopy ribbon that came from pyjama packaging (waste not want not!)
The matching pillowcases from the sale duvet go on the pillows I use when I set up the bed in the van.
I say the van is my happy place, especially as I often go away with my Singer Featherweight. I can relax, sew and look at the lovely British countryside - utter bliss!
Sarah x
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