Downton Quilted Cushion Cover

My first attempt at quilting, I've been meaning to try it for a while, but finding the time has been hard and whilst I have plans to make a blanket (or two) that was too big a project to start!

So with some of my lovely Downton fabrics I decided to go for a cushion cover. This was ideal for a first attempt at quilting and it's something practical that can sit in the living room for people to see (and hopefully comment how nice it is!)

So I started with this:

I went for colour theme of blues and greens



I sewed by hand all the squares together, the best way to start is to decide on a layout, move the squares around until you are happy, then sew together each row, then attach the rows together

So this is the finished item (minus a cushion!) typically I brought a cushion, but it's too big. Luckily I have other covers that fit, but I just have to wait (and measure accurately) till I get my cushion - or I could stuff it with toy stuffing, but that would use a lot of stuffing!

The back is just plain with the Downton Logo, but would look good if left like that - so I guess it's a two sided cover!

My next lot of colours - all from The Dowager Collection

I love purple, so this will be a nice cushion cover to have

I feel for my first attempt at quilting and making a quilted cushion cover I have done well, although there are a few lessons - I'm not overly happy with the closing, I don't think it'll show when I have a cushion inside, but the quilted front isn't too neat at the edges, so I would work on that and ensure that you have enough fabric round the edge to cover the wadding. I would also try and measure/leave extra space for seams as I think whilst I will be able to get a cushion to fit, it's a little smaller than the standard size so I would need to think about that.

Also on the closure of the cover, I think I could have made it neater with perhaps a different closure. I have used poppers (snap fasteners), this is the first time attempting a cushion like this, previously I have used buttons, it would be nice to have buttons but I would need to see if I could make it in this style or might have to try a flap type back so I would cut x2 pieces for the back piece, I guess it's all experimenting!!

My next cushion I will try sometime, I think might be just be a patchwork cushion cover - perhaps without the quilting if I can get the basics right then on another one I'll try the quilting again (I might end up with lots of cushions!) Mind you, there are lots of Downton Fabrics for me to play with!!


Getting Crafty

Busy week with the house move, but getting some crafting done...

My Downton fabrics in blues and greens

Stage 1 - sew all squares together. I quite like the colours here and the different patterns, now just to work out the next stage for my cushion cover

I have also begun the Christmas shopping and whilst trying to make things myself I always come across some lovely items by others, here is Buttoned Up, she makes lovely items so take a look at her stuff and I can't wait to put up my button wreath - I think may be by the fire place...I was also tempted by the heart button wreaths, but this is more Christmassy! She also makes some lovely button brooches, magnets, cushion covers and items for the home!

I also brought this from buttoned, I was tempted to buy one decorated with buttons, but I had a thought - I'm going to try and paint the roses and perhaps the heart they sit on, I'll have to judge how it looks!

 

Changes & New Creations

A lot's been going on, new house - bit of a project, work, new crafts, a sewing class and Shakespeare Richard II...so it's all go!

Many things in the house need sorting (not least to say a new kitchen!) All in good time...I keep telling myself, got to watch the ££ it's a busy and costly time of the year!

We 'inherited' some chickens, who desperately needed looking after, that's an ongoing project and the garden seems to have been a dumping ground, so more clearing and sorting there, just want the worst done before the really cold weather sets in!

Potential for a decent garden - just get rid of the 'dump' at the bottom, sort the chicken's pen, sort the hedges and tree, get some more light in, get up the paving slabs, demolish old shed, build new larger shed, get a veg patch in, flowers etc...this may take a while!

I have had a little 'me' time in between, so my sister and I attended a lovely sewing class at Guthrie & Ghani in Moseley. See more here.
I also was fortunate enough to get tickets for Stratford to see Richard II with David Tennant- we had excellent seats, so close. The play was very good and had light hearted comedy moments, and parts of the play are relevant to today, so Shakespeare was well ahead of his time, that or the problems of then are still with us today!

I have been crafting I can, which isn't often enough and sometimes I'm too tired to craft- which isn't on! Anyway I have agreed to make a few items for The Donkey Sanctuary, a lovely charity looking after neglected/abandoned Donkeys I hope to make a few items for them, it's just fitting it in around my crafting too!

Crochet - as well as various donkey themed items, I have been working on some cute crochet creations including owls and robins. 

Felt - again I have been making donkey items as well as some robins here, which I hope to make into brooches/decorations/hair clips...hopefully in time for Christmas!

Lavender scented donkey sachets - typically my felt robins have gone walkies, I can't remember where I put them!

I have also got some background projects I have been working on, including some bouquets I hope to finally put together, it's all a bit experimental, but involves crochet, beads, buttons, vintage pearls and various bits and bobs. I would love to get something finished this year, but with robins in need of making and turning to Christmas - hand made decorations...who knows if I'll have time!

I'm also considering a craft swap...may be join one or organise myself? I'd like to, but it all boils down to time - if only we had more of it!!

Crochet Flowers

Vintage bead earrings

Shells - making into Angel Wings & Butterflies

Headband - button centre

Sewing Class

 

I booked tickets for this class back in June, finally October came and we went to Guthrie & Ghani for a beginners class in cushion cover making.

In case you didn't know, I ended up going to this class after seeing The Great British Sewing Bee and finding that there was a local haberdashery shop doing some craft workshops. I hadn't been to one before, and although I had dug out the old Singer sewing machine and tried a few bits, I hadn't made anything on the sewing machine since school. I have done some hand sewing, but going to the class made me want to get the machine back out! Shame it only has two stitches - forward and reverse... mind you people made great things with two stitches, so I should try, and then ask Father Christmas for a modern machine!!!

Nice environment to learn in - bright and airy- liking the bunting too!

10 people in a class, so you have enough 1 to 1 time from the tutor

 

So, it was an envelope cushion cover we made, using a pattern, cutting your fabric and using the machine to sew it together and create button holes. Once you got into the swing of it, it was fun, although once or twice you look round to see what others are doing!

After I finished the cover, knowing how to follow a pattern and take the right steps it's quite addictive and seeing so many crafters make such lovely things, I hope I can add more fabric items to my online collection. Also having just moved house it opens up a lot of opportunities for me to make all sorts! As well as having discovered some lovely fabrics...I wanted to order some more online, but I held off for the moment!!





Envelope Cushion Cover - Button side up!



                        

I was pleased with my cushion cover, just need a better cushion pad!


 

Another hand made cushion cover (knitted) - a house warming gift.