Thrifty Tutorial - Patchwork Cushion

It has been a while since I have had the sewing machine out.  Many of my creative projects have been put on hold while the pennies are stretched with a variety of other extra curricular activities (including a sneaky little girlie trip to Espana next weekend!)  This is why I love this simple project so much, it didn't cost me a penny, as I based the creation around various bits and bobs I already have in my S&B room.

You will need:
Cushion inner 17" (or size to suit)
25 Patchwork squares 4"x 4"
Cotton thread
19" x 19" fabric (for the back)
Rotary cutter and board (or scissors and tape measure)

Thrifty Tip
Some of the patchwork squares used to be clothing of mine!  So before you throw out, think patchwork.

Step 1. 
Cut out the 4" x 4" squares from a variety of scrap fabrics
Lay out to your personal preference 5sq x 5sq

Step 2. 
Take 5 squares from the top row
Sew two squares together (wrong sides facing)
Then add the third, forth and fifth until row is complete
Press the seam allowance out flat

Step 3.
Repeat step 2 until all five rows complete
Then sew (wrong sides together) top row to second row and so on
Until whole square complete

Step 4.
Lay (wrong sides together) the backing fabric and completed patchwork front
Pin
Sew all round the square, leaving an opening at the back (big enough to fit the cushion in (approximately 3 squares)

This cushion is for a rocking chair in Little Miss P's room so I needed the back to be smaller in width so  sewed across each corner.

Step 5.
Turn the cushion cover right side out, poke all four corners
Insert cushion
Then pin and then slip stitch to close and finish

Congratulations - Your Patchwork Cushion is Complete!

Nice to see you again.
Xxx.

Cath Kidston Elephant Cushion Tutorial

Welcome to the first tutorial of many for you to enjoy. The first project is a handmade cushion combining applique, embroidery and fabulous fabric from Cath Kidston.

The theme this month at the 'Stitch & Bitch' was cushions. Thursday was one of the first meets at the new house and the evening went so well. I was overwhelmed by the variety of creative ideas of the group. I felt quite despondent as I had no idea what i was going to do, so I spent most of evening occupying myself with one of our previous group projects while I watched in awe as everyone else steamed ahead. I hope to post the pictures of the finished articles following our next meet.

I did not return to my sewing room until late Sunday evening, when I found the in the remnants box, a set of coordinating fat quarters from a Cath Kidston bundle I had brought for my birthday in August. That combined with seeing my daughter playing merrily on "Elvis the rocking Elephant". So I made a contrasting pair of Elephant Cushions for her bedroom.

A Handmade Cath Kidston Elephant Cushion

Tools:

Tape Measure

Needles

Pins

Scissors 

Pinking Shears

Matching Cotton Thread

Coordinating Embroidery Thread

Felt (for eye and ear)

Cushion Inner 25cm x 35cm

2 x contrasting fabric - fat quarters 

Template (I used an elephant from the Cath Kidston mini SEW book)

Sewing Machine - Optional

Step 1:

Cut out 26.5cm x 37.5cm rectangle (this includes 1.5cm seam allowance) from both fabrics. 

One fabric rectangle will make up the back and the other the front.

Pin the template to the remaining fabric that is the same as what will make up the back of the cushion, cut around the template using pinking shears. Pin the ear and eye mini templates to the felt and cut out.

Step 2:

Find the centre of the fabric which will make up the front of the cushion.

Find the centre of the template.

Match the centres and pin the template to the front fabric.

Draw in pencil on the fabric the water from the trunk over the Elephants body.

Remove the pins. 

Step 3:

Using white embroidery thread, start at the bottom of the first water spray (pencil line).

Use a split stitch follow the pencil lines. 

I used an embroidery ring at this point (optional).

Step 4:

Pin the Elephant back to the centre.

Using a straight stitch sew a small stitch at each inward zig zag (created by the pinching shears) to attach to the front panel.

Step 5:

Pin the felt ear to the elephant. 

Attach using a blanket stitch all the way around the felt ear. Use a small cross stitch to attach the eye like so.

Step 6:

Put the finished front panel (right-sides facing) to the back panel. Sew all sides (1.5cm seam allowance), leaving a gap on one width side (to insert cushion inner). You can use a hand or machine straight stitch. 

Step 7:

Clip the corners with scissors. 

Wash the cushion cover (to remove all previous pencil markings) and iron out all creases.

Step 8:

Finally, insert the cushion inner carefully through the gap.

Using a slip stitch sew the opening closed.

Your Handmade Elephant Cushion is complete - Congratulations!! 

The beauty of this project is you can use any combination of beautiful fabrics to suit your style or themes.  I look forward to hearing all about your own creations.  

Nice to see you again
Xxx.

Our Proper Grown Up House

Our first house was the perfect two bedroom terrace house in a central location very near to where we both grew up.  Perfect for a couple fresh from graduating and starting out. It had so much character and was all ours, including the lave and plaster walls! We couldn't even put blue tack on the walls without them falling down. After 4 years of really good times and many parties in our fabulous kitchen it was time to move on.

We made the decision to move to a small village up the road where I was working at the time.  "Oh how I do like to be beside the seaside".  We were 26 years old, and we knew then this would be the place we would settle down to have a family.  After a few more years partying, frequenting the local pubs, getting to know the locals, lock ins, many very late nights back at ours, we were settled.  After coming to terms with the BIG 30, with the help of a few last burn outs, we did it, became a family of 3.  The house we brought when we moved to the village was not of our taste at all, it was not particularly attractive from the outside and had very little character inside, however the location was spot on.  After a few big changes to the property we ended up with a house we were very proud of.  We stayed for nearly 8 years.

Now here the three of us are, in our very 'proper grown up house'.  As I sit here writing this post, I can hardly believe we are living in the most beautiful victorian town house in the heart of the village.  Life just seems like it couldn't get any better right now, it's picture perfect.

So here is where all the ideas stored in a hand quilted indian silk A4 notebook from my favourite shop at the moment HomeSense, finally come to life and I am so excited if not a little overwhelmed by how much I want to do, and all before Christmas.

Now I am unpacked and ready to share some of my creations.  

I would love to hear your thoughts, comments, ideas, crafts and all.  So keep in touch, sign up and subscribe to "All Things PP" and I will share with you regular craft projects based around my personal past times; children, clothes, crafts and conversations.

Coming first is a hand embroidered Cath Kidston Elephant Cushion, perfect for Poppy and any little girl's room!  I can not wait to share this project which was inspired by the Cath Kidston Sew Book using Cath Kidston fat quarters I had sitting around.

Listening to Florence & the Machine, Ceremonials.  Musically Magical.

Nice to see you again!