Tea Light Village - Tudor House Tutorial
Project Description:
Tea Light Village is a series of tiny buildings designed specifically to fit over small LED Tea Lights so readily available these days. The lights provide a warm glow which brings life to the village display.
This tutorial is for the Tudor House which was added to the collection in 2017. It includes the classic A symmetrical dormer and the curved doorway.
In 2017 I am also adding a base system for tea light village so they can be adapted to string fairy lights. Go here for more information.
Warning: Only use LED Lights. DO NOT use regular candle tea lights.
This specific tutorial is for the assembly of Tudor house.
There are many tutorials for the Tea Light series including:
Tea Light Village Hexagon and Pentagon Bases 2017- updated 2020
Supplies Needed:
Cutting Files - Available here.
ScorTape 1/8" and 1/4"
Card Stock
Wax paper - Tracing paper works as well.
Glue
Scissors
Parts Sizes- See orientation in diagram to right.
Main house piece 4.9108" w x 8.3731" h
Dormer Roof 1.3534" w x 2.6778" h
Main roof: 2.4254" w x 3.9025" h
Large Tree: 3.3281" w x 4.4323" h
Small Tree: 2.5881" w x 3.447" h
Order supplies from Amazon:
Steps for completing the Tudor house:
Special Note: I update the instructions online. Check here for adjustments and additional information. Don't just rely on the pdf file that comes with the download.
1. Download the cutting files for your cutting machine from the 3dcuts.com store here.
2. Load the files into your cutting software following the steps for your cutting machine.
3. Prepare the files:.
For the Silhouette:
SIL Files from upload SVG purchased from 3dcuts.com:
The SVG files may need to be turned into cutting files. Click here for detailed steps on how to use SVG files on your Silhouette. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-upload-svg-silhouette
DXF files can be opened in the basic edition of Silhouette Design Studio but often require modifications. I recommend using the Designer Edition and using svg files. DXF files do not always maintain file sizes and you may need to adjust according to sizes noted above.
For Cricut Explore:Remember to ATTACH files before cutting in Cricut. Here is a guide for importing into Cricut Design Space. http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-adding-3dcuts-files-to-cricut.
For Brother ScanNCut: The svg files will need to be transferred to files for your particular machine. You can change SVG files to FCM files at http://www.canvasworkspace.com/ or Google "How to import SVG files into a ScanNCut" for links to tutorials. Some models of Brother Scan N Cut can directly import the SVG files.
4. Cut the files.
All pieces are cut from card stock. I use Neenah Card Stock from Amazon.
Each tree size must be cut twice per tree.
I cut using a premium blade. It works wonders on the tiny windows. I set my Silhouette to blade depth of 4, speed of 4 and thickness of 27. This is a little different from the normal card stock settings because the Neenah Index Card Stock is a little thicker.
It is best to have good quality card stock and a good blade and clean, sticky mat. I use the Premium blade and the Nicapa mat. These files do have intricate cuts and you need to know which settings your machine works best with.
5. Cover all windows from the inside with wax paper or vellum.
I cut the wax paper into strips and then into squares to fit over the windows.
I apply a coating of a good paper adhesive like Zig Two Way glue around the window and then glue the wax paper inside each window.
Be sure to get all windows including doors and attics.
This helps mute the light from the LED tea light.
6. Fold on all the dotted lines
Every dotted line on this file is a fold line and they all get crisply folded in the same direction towards the back side.
7. Apply Scor-Tape to all tabs. Leave the backing on.
I used 1/4" Scor-tape on all the tabs.
The image below shows all the tabs needing Scor-Tape in pink. (Scor-Tape doesn't come in pink. I just highlighted it in the photo for clarity. Don't miss any tabs.
The Scor-Tape gets applied to the outside.
8. Assemble the building
For easiest assembly, peel each backing as directed.
Start by peeling the backing from the strip by on the end to connect the ends and make the building base square.
Adhere the two ends of the building base together keeping things straight and square.
Next peel the roof angles on the front roof - both the right and left sides - and press into place.
Next peel the backing off the three tabs to adhere the back roof. This includes the two angle sides plus the tab which gets tucked inside the back wall.
Press all seams well to adhere.
Fold the front dormer roof in half and then fold the two tabs upward as shown.
Apply Scor-Tape on the backside of the two tabs on the dormer roof.
Peel the Scor-Tape on the two angles of the front dormer.
Postion the dormer roof as shown and press into place.
Peel the Scor-Tape on the two angles of the dormer roof and press that into place.
Add Scor-Tape to the edges of the back roof (not shown) and to the highlighted area of the front roof - shown in pink.
9. Add the roof.
Fold the roof pice in half with the dormer opening to the correct side to match your house. (It could be either side depending on how you folded the house.)
Peel the backing off the Scor-Tape on the front roof and adhere the roof in place.
Peel the Scor-Tape off the back roof and press in place. The Tudor style home is ready to be added to all the other houses in Tea Light Village.
10. Make the Trees.
The file comes with the pine tree in two different sizes. You must cut 2 of each size. This is a detailed cut and requires a good blade and mat. I especially like to use the Premium blade on this type of cut.
Fold each half on the the 2 dotted lines in the center. They are close together so this will take some care.
Add a strip of 1/8" Scor-Tape down the outside of the tree between the two fold lines.
Press the two spines together, being careful to make bottoms align, making a 3-D tree.
Make a second set in a different size.
Now make the other new buildings for tea light village and put them all together with LED tea lights to provide a warm glow.
