Easter bunting

A bit late, but I wanted to share with you this bunting I made for Easter.  The idea was a natural continuation of my bunting projects from last year (see my baby name bunting and Christmas bunting).




Cath Kidston buttons

I decided to use these Cath Kidston buttons (a Christmas present) for the tails - fortunately the pattern of the buttons went really well with some fabric I already had.



I've called it Easter bunting but we've still got it up - so perhaps it's better described as spring bunting!




Bunny template - the size I used was roughly 8.5cm(h) x 6.5cm(w)



 

 

A cushion to comfort

A couple of weeks ago I asked what was important to you in a cushion: looks or comfort.  You clearly like to have your cake and eat it; a cushion without both looks and comfort is not worthy in your view.

This is not the most chic of cushions, but I like to think it has its own certain charm.

This is a cushion to hold your hand and comfort you; a cushion to be hugged and squeezed.  It's made from a favourite old pyjama shirt.  Years of wear had left the fabric lovably soft, but also meant that the pyjamas were close to falling apart.  They had been my favourite pair for so long I could not bear to part with them.  What better way to hold onto them than to turn them into a cushion?

I could have made a simple red tartan cushion, but I wanted to try to keep the look of the pyjamas and retain their spirit somehow.  To this end, I included the pocket and buttons of the pyjama shirt in the cushion cover.  I think using these adds some interest to the design.  I opted to sew up the front of the shirt, but if I were to attempt a similar project in the future I think I would use this to create a pocket - it could make a lovely case in which to keep pjs.

A cushion to knock the spots off all others...

I love cushions (expect them to be a recurring theme).  A cushion is a small canvas on which to inject some personality, to have some fun with and take the risk of being a bit bolder, of trying something a bit different.

I wanted to create something special to give to a friend for her birthday.  Knowing she’s a fan of red and white spots I quickly decided that I would make her a cushion on this theme.  But I felt it needed something more.  A sprinkling of buttons might just be what was needed to lift this cushion to be a little bit special.  A quick raid on my and Mum’s button boxes supplied a good variety of red and white buttons.  Then it was just the small matter of finding the fabric.

My need to constantly make the “right” decision makes choosing fabrics for any project tricky, especially when I am making something to give as a present.  I have to work hard to remind myself that there is no right and wrong when it comes to fabric choices!

The initial idea in my mind had been plain red with perhaps a white fabric with small red spots.  However, it is rare that you will find exactly what you are looking for, and you need to enter a fabric shop with an open mind; flexibility is your friend here.  Enter with an open mind and time invested browsing the aisles of a well-stocked fabric shop can reward you with a winning combination of fabrics you would never have imagined walking away with.  Having pulled out various fabrics, holding up different whites to various reds to try to find that elusive “perfect” combination, I eventually made a decision.  A red/purple tinged stripe and an off-white with purple spots was not what I had planned on buying at all, but that was the combination that struck a chord.  I think it works; the patterns contrast but do not clash and I think it adds another layer of interest to the overall look of the cushion.  But judge for yourself…

First the planning:

I started by planning the size of the spots and laying these out with the buttons.  Once I had settled on the size of the spots, I could cut the fabric.

Then the assembly:

The spots were pinned and tacked in place before being machine appliquéd.  The buttons were sewn on by hand.  I then machined three and a bit sides of the cushion cover (correct sides together) before turning through, easing over the cushion pad and then hand stitching the fourth side closed.

And the finished cushion:

This is a cushion that is all about its looks.  And, perhaps surprisingly for a cushion adorned with buttons, it doesn’t scrimp on comfort either.  Most importantly, my friend seems to love it.

I went with a sprinkling of buttons to give this birthday cushion an extra little something; but what would you have adorning your ideal cushion?  I’d love to hear your ideas.