Doll’s Cradle Bedding Set

When I was little , my grandfather made this wooden doll’s cradle:

His hobby in retirement was making wooden toys for charity. We were encouraged to donate the toys he made us when we grew out of them (which is a shame because he made the best rocking elephants!). My brother kept a large truck and I kept my cradle. It’s been in the top of the wardrobe at my parents’ place for years, and I knew it was time to get in down for Celeste (she just loves her dolls and stuffed animals).

Unfortunately, my parents live about 2700km (1700 miles) away, so popping over to grab it wasn’t an option. A couple of weeks before my parents visited last year, I dropped a hint to Dad that I thought Celeste would like it. It was an each way bet whether he’d bring it on the plane. But Dad came through with the goods and pulled the cradle out of his suitcase. I was over-the-moon.

The cradle could do with a bit of love and an extra coat of paint, but I’m a little nervous to attack that job. I started with the important job of making it a little more comfortable for Celeste’s dolls.

First up was a mattress – made with a seat cushion insert  and some homemade piping.

Then a pillow, but not a simple pillow for the princesses that will lay their heads here:

And a sheet of course, with more piping trim:

And lastly, a quilt to match Celeste’s quilt:

With butterfly applique (I can never make things simple!):

There’s never have too much matchy-matchy in my world:

Tutorials are in the works, but after week 2 of gastro in this house (Celeste and my husband’s turns this week), it hasn’t happened yet.

Come back next week for the tutorials (hopefully!)!