Hi there, this is Marilyn Parker from Lindylou Kidsworld.
This blog is going to be a Mother’s Day cushion cover special!
I made two different cushion covers to give you inspiration. Both took half a day to make, so if you need a last minute idea, one of these would be do-able – and what a special unique gift it would make. I have used Michael Miller Fairy Frost in snow for the fronts of both covers.
Bunnycup Swirly Doodads embroidered cushion cover.
This cushion cover measures 18 inches square when finished.
I cut a square approx. 22 inches. I have padded the front of this cover using a diamond pattern. I marked two lines diagonal to each other with a soluble marker, to use as my base lines. (Pic 1).
Then using my walking foot with a spacer attachment on it, I stitched straight lines 1 inch apart. (Pics 2a, b, c)
I used My Girl Alphabet for the font. Depending on the machine you have, and the size of the hoops, you may have to rehoop up to three times to get the lettering done. I use a Janome 500, and with the large hoop 200 x 280 I need to enter “Happy Mother’s” in one hooping, and then the “Day” in a separate hooping. For the “Day” I made sure the spacing between the bottom lines of the first two words was the same as the third, and with my ruler & soluble marker I drew the line with a centre mark, so that it would line up in the hoop.
Then with a wonderful circular template (which comes in 2 different increments of 6 and 8, or 5 and 7) I mark the centre of the work, and line up north and south and work out the spacing for my embroidery so that it circles the words. I chose the 7, as I like odd numbers and the placing is pleasing. The template is 6 inches from the centre, and I mark where I want the centre of each embroidery to be. (Pics 3a & b)
Keeping up with my “rainbow phase”, I embroidered 7 quirky designs from the “Swirly Doodads” collection. (Pic 4)
Once all the work is finished, I press it, and cut it back to 18 ½ inches, keeping the work centred.
To make the back of the cushion, I cut two pieces 18 ½ x 10 inches. The back seam is sewn about 1 ½ inches down from the seam down. Then I lay the back on the ironing board and press all the way down the seam folding back where the zip will go. The zip can be easily sewn down on this flat surface before the cushion front and back are sewn together.
This cushion can be personalised as much or as little as you want with extra words, more embroidery etc. (Pic 5)
Enjoy, and then please share your work.
This cushion measures 20 inches when finished.
The embroidered pocket is made using Michael Miller Fairy Frost in snow. I cut the piece approx. 24 inches x 20 inches. The fabric and wadding were hooped in a 200 square hoop. In the machine, I put a design from Bunnycup Country Flowers Quilt Blocks sizing it up to 7.8 inches, then did the wording over the top of that – so it was all in the one hooping. I used Bunnycup My Girl Alphabet for the “Happy Mother’s Day”.
I then used a design from Bunnycup Beautiful Borders to add the sweet scroll rose embroidery to the alternating corners of the design. This was done in two separate hoopings. (Pics 1a & b)
With reading pillows, the pocket should be about 60 % of the finished size of the cushion. Because of the embroidery designs taking the pocket size past this, I had to do a pocket length of 16 ½ inches. I would love to see you make one with a not so deep pocket! (Pics 2 & 3)
The pocket is then lined, and edged along the top. I used the same method that I use when binding quilts.
The pocket is then pinned & sewn onto a pretty piece of fabric that is cut 20 ½ inches square. Any excess is cut off the pocket’s raw edges.
To make the back of the cushion, I cut two pieces 20 ½ x 12 inches. The back seam is sewn about 1 ½ inches down from the seam down. Then I lay the back on the ironing board and press all the way down the seam folding back where the zip will go. The zip can be easily sewn down on this flat surface before the cushion front and back are sewn together. (Pic 4)
So, let us see your creations! We need feedback and sharing. Thank you for supporting Bunnycup Embroidery and these blogs (Pics 5a, b & 6)
Marilyn Lindylou Kidsworld.
