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How to Add a Door (that opens!) to a Quilt Block

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

That house doesn’t look very special – right?

Look closer!

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Peekaboo!

The door opens!

Here’s how to do it.

I’m using an example of one block from the Shiny Happy Houses quilt pattern, but you could adapt this idea in all kind of ways! I list a few possibilities at the end of the tutorial.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Step 1

Trace or print all your pattern pieces as usual. You’re going to do three things with your door piece.

  1. Print or trace your door onto the fusible adhesive – just like normal.
  2. Also trace your door onto a piece of freezer paper.
  3. Also trace your door onto the fusible adhesive house piece – right where you want it to go.

Step 2

We’ll start with making the door itself.

Cut the door piece out of the freezer paper a little bit bigger all the way around. Do this neatly – it’s just to make the door a smidge bigger than the door opening. Mine is a little bit more than an extra 1/8″ all the way around.

Layer two pieces of door fabric right sides together and fuse the freezer paper door piece to the wrong side of the top layer.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Use the edge of the freezer paper as a guide and stitch almost all the way around the door, leaving a little bit open for turning on the side where the “hinges” would be. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Step 3

Trim around the door, leaving a small seam allowance.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Clip away the excess completely at the corners.

Step 4

Turn the door right side out through the opening. Smooth your curves, poke out your corners, and tuck the seam allowance at the opening inside and press the whole thing nice and flat.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

I’ve got my turning stick going into the opening here so you can see where it is. šŸ™‚

Now set the door aside for a bit.

Step 5

Fuse the house piece and the “behind the door” piece to the back of their fabrics.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Cut out the house piece right on the line – including cutting away the door that you traced.

Cut the “behind the door” piece right on the line at the bottom of the door. Leave a little extra fabric at the top and sides.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Here they are from the front after cutting them out. It’s fun to fussy cut something cute for the “behind the door” piece. šŸ™‚

Step 6

Peel off the paper backings, layer all the pieces together, and fuse.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

The “behind the door” piece should be tucked behind the door opening so that it peeks out.

Step 7

Outline all the pieces as usual.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

You’ll only need to stitch around the door opening on the house piece – that stitching also secures the unicorn piece behind it.

Step 8

Sew the door in place by stitching down the side with the turning opening.

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

No hand sewing needed!

Finished!

How to Add a Door (that opens!) to your quilt block - a tutorial from Shiny Happy World

Add a button doorknob if you like. šŸ™‚

You can play with this idea in so many ways! Add shutters to the windows! Make a camouflaged “door” in a treetop (using the same fabric as the rest of the treetop) and hide a little bird or squirrel in there! I know someone out there has used the Shiny Happy Houses pattern to make a castle. Add a functioning drawbridge!

The possibilities are endless, and I can’t wait to see what you all make!

Here are links to all the posts showing how to applique with fusible adhesive – my favorite method. It’s fast and easy and (with the right materials) it holds up beautifully to rough use and repeated washing.

Here are links to special posts about eyes.

Here are links to some extra fun things you can do with your applique.

Other Applique Methods

Finished with this topic?

Return to the Let’s Make a Quilt main Table of Contents.

Move on to the lessons about outline stitching.

Happy stitching!

2 COMMENTS

  1. Rosemary SAYS...

    How cute! My granddaughter loves playing with her mother’s Fisher Price Doll House that is more than 30 years old, but is in good condition. She loves opening the door(the bell still rings), and peeking through the window. You might consider doing something in windows, also. Thanks for the inspiration!

  2. Ellie SAYS...

    Thank you!!! Iā€™m getting ready to make quiet books for a couple of granddaughters. This will make a wonderful addition to the books! I will make a flap for a bird in the tree, a door in the house and maybe a flap-bush that hides a squirrel šŸ˜Š. I have the house patterns so now will go play! You just made my day. Thank you again.