Tutorials and recipes for lovely crafty things!


How to make a paper gift box


Decorative Button Cushion
  
Ingredients:
1/2 metre fabric, for your main colour (I used a neutral linen)
9x45cm (3.5x19") fabric for your your decorative panel (I used a mucky pink linen)
button of your choice if using (these were pretty shell ones)
matching thread
46cm (18") square cushion pad


Step 1. Wash and press fabric


Step 2. Cut the following pieces from you main piece of fabric:
              2 pieces measuring 30x48cm (12x19") - 
           1 piece measuring 10x48cm (3.5x19")
              1 piece measuring 32x48cm (12.5x19")


Step 3. Give each of your two 30x48cm rectangular pieces a 1cm hem on one of the long sides, and press.  This will be    
              your neat edge for the opening on the reverse of your cushion.  Put to one side.


Step 4. Piece together the front.  Start with your largest piece of your main fabric and place your panel piece, right sides     
              together, on top, matching the long edges.  Pin together and sew a 1.5cm (1/2") seam.  Repeat this on the other 
              edge of your panel with your remaining piece.  Press your seams flat.




Your front cover should now look like this, and is ready for decorating.  You should experiment here before stitching anything on and find a design you are happy with.  Once you have played around, stitch in place.











Step 6. Put your pieces together.  Place the front of your cushion cover on a flat surface with your decorative panel facing you the right way up and with the panel vertical.  Line the long rough edge of one of your rectangles along the top edge of your square (wrong side facing you) so that the neat edge is along the centre.  Pin in place.  Then line the long rough edge of your second piece along the bottom of your square.  Your two neat edges should be over lapping.  Pin in place.  















Step 6.
Machine stitch around the edges, giving yourself a 1cm seam allowance and not forgetting to backstitch at the beginning and end.  Clip the corners, taking care not to cut into your stitching.











Step 7.
Turn the right way out, press, and then put you cushion pad in, get yourself a brew (or a glass of wine), sit back and enjoy.


If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact me!












Very (very) Simple Cushion




This really is a simple cushion to make and takes very little time to make.  It is a good one to use for patterned fabric.


Ingredients:
1/2 metre of lovely fabric (washed and pressed)
matching thread
1 cushion pad (46x46cm/18x18")


Step 1.  
Cut out the following pieces from your fabric:
1 piece measuring 48x48cm (19x19")
2 pieces measuring 30x48cm (12x19")


Step 2.
Give each of your two rectangular pieces a 1cm hem on one of the long sides, and press.  This will be your neat edge for the opening on the reverse of your cushion.





Step 3.
Put your pieces together.  Place your square (right side facing you) on a flat surface.  Line the long rough edge of one of your rectangles along the top edge of your square (wrong side facing you) so that the neat edge is along the centre.  Pin in place.  Then line the long rough edge of your second piece along the bottom of your square.  Your two neat edges should be over lapping.  Pin in place.  







Step 4.
Machine stitch around the edges, giving yourself a 1cm seam allowance and not forgetting to backstitch at the beginning and end.  Clip the corners, taking care not to cut into your stitching





Step 5.
Turn the right way out, press, and then put you cushion pad in, get yourself a brew (or a glass of wine), sit back and enjoy.




If anything is unclear, please do not hesitate to contact me!