There is only one project to share today in Show & Tell, but as I haven't issued a challenge this month I'm sure you understand why. :-)
However, this project is gorgeous! Jean has been making my Shabby Roses 'A Christmas Story' quilt, and now she has finished it!
Jean, it's a beautiful quilt and I am so humbled to always see how others bring my mental sketches to life with needle and thread in their own unique way. Thank you!!
~~~~~
Now, I got to thinking while I was stitching away on my gifts for this year. Sometimes I see an item in a magazine and think, "I can make that!", but then forget all about it. Do you do that?
One of my favourite non-craft magazines is the British edition of 'Country Living' (wonderful website HERE), and in it I saw a picture of a cushion made into a British flag - as soon as I saw it I wanted one (my ancestors arrived in Australia as convicts on the First Fleet so my British roots are solid), but it was priced at around £60!
Yesterday I looked over at my stash of Rural Jardin (my favourite ever fabric range) and the brain went silly with excitement at making my own version of the cushion - and then I thought perhaps you'd like to make one too!? Even if you're not British, you can use the same idea for your own country's flag.
(*maybe* we could make this the challenge for October????!)
Start with:
One, 16 1/2 inch square blue tonal fabric (cushion front)
Two, 10 1/2 x 16 1/2 inch rectangles blue/red floral fabric (cushion back)
Two, 2 1/4 x 24 inch strips beige tonal fabric
Two, 1 1/4 x 24 inch strips red tonal fabric
Two, 2 3/4 x 16 1/2 inch strips beige tonal fabric
Two, 2 x 16 1/2 inch strips red tonal fabric
3 red buttons
Sew the 2 1/4 x 24 inch strips beige tonal fabric diagonally across the cushion front.
(I am leaving raw edges as I wanted that 'shabby' look after washing)
Sew the two 1 1/4 x 24 inch strips red tonal fabric the same way, centring the strips on to the beige stripes.
Sew the two 2 3/4 x 16 1/2 inch strips beige tonal fabric horizontaly and verticaly on to the cushion front.
Lastly, sew the two 2 x 16 1/2 inch strips red tonal fabric onto the centre of the strips.
Fold one edge on both 10 1/2 x 16 1/2 inch rectangles blue/red floral fabric (cushion backs) over by 1/2 inch. Press. Fold the hem over again by 3/4 inch. Press. Stitch down.
Add your 3 buttonholes, and 3 buttons.
Do up the buttons, and stitch the two piece together along the side seam with a scant 1/8th inch seam.
Lay the cushion front down onto the cushion back, right sides facing. Stitch around the square with a 1/4 inch seam.
Trim the seam back to 1/8th inch. Turn the cushion right side out, and make a French seam by stitching around the outside edge with a 1/4 inch seam - this prevents any fraying and loose threads.
Wash the cushion cover in your washing machine to give it that old and frayed appearance...
...and maybe add an extra touch of British history.
Can you believe I found this brooch for 50c yesterday at the op shop while my cushion cover was drying on the line!? Thanks God! :-)
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Blossom wants an Italian flag cushion now to celebrate her father's Italian heritage. Guess you know what I'll be doing today?
What do you think? Shall we make this a challenge for the last half of October? They would make great Christmas gifts for friends and family!
Hugs
Jenny
xxx
PS: This is a great way to use up some of that stash....