Homespun Cushions part II

I've had such a fabulous time this week playing with my fabrics, I've been in creative heaven. It's such a long time since I worked with fabrics, I had forgotten how thrillingly fast it all is compared to the slow plod-plod-plod of crochet. The fact that I have designed and made not one but two complete articles within a week has made me all puffed up with pride. I did it! I really made it happen and I am quite ridiculously proud of my efforts. Especially the zip thing. Wow. Me and zips, we worked out ok together, who would've thought it?

I had a huge amount of fun making my second cover. I did it slightly differently to the first one in that each 2.5 inch strip is actually pieced from two fabrics. So 16 pieces altogether instead of just 8. It made it more fun putting them together (more fabric = more fun, right?), although I have to say that I gave very little thought to what I was doing. This cushion kind of threw itself together on the floor with very little hassle and it felt right to go with the random approach.

The whole zip thing went terrifically well second time round, mostly thanks to the wonderful tips and advice that I received following my last post ((thank you lovely stitchers of the world for taking me in hand)).

So I did things a little bit differently. As advised by the super talented Hen I still used a smaller zip (14" zip for a 15.5" cover), but I stitched the seam closed at each end first, leaving a 14 inch gap for the zipper to perfectly fit into. So no holes (yaaay!). However, I did not follow Hen's advise re hand basting (sorry Hen), I just could not bring myself to be that thorough. Especially when I was told by a few of you that I could use sticky tape instead. Oh My. That was the BEST advice! I simply stuck the zip in place with tape and stitched away pin-free, it was bloomin' marvelous!

I remembered to add a little extra embellishment with ribbons this time, with rather lovely results. The fabric puckered a little as I think the tension on my machine is a smidge too tight, but oh I am not bothered about that really. I am no perfectionist, I prefer to embrace the Homespun look. Overall I am really very, very happy with how it turned out.

Mmmmmmmmmm!! I love my new cushions, they make very yummy additions to my sofa. I am surprised (and yet not really) at how my fabric choices match up so well with my yarn choices. I do have a very consistent, recognisable palette that I work time and time again, they are just My Colours I guess.

I'll be taking both these cushions to live in Connievan, but I will most certainly be making some more to stay here in the Attic. They already seem so at home here and I know I'll miss them as soon as they've gone.

I did want to say a little something about the fabrics I've used, but there isn't actually a lot I can tell you. I've been buying these fabrics little by little over a good many years and I haven't a clue what they are called or which designer designed them. I do know that the spotty ones in the bottom cushion are Kaffe Fassett, but other than that I really don't know. Some Amy Butler in there possibly? Anyone know?

The backing fabric I bought years ago, and sadly the little online shop I got them from no longer exists. All I can tell you is that they are European designs (Dutch I think?) and that I adore them.

I cannot imagine living in a house without homemade cushions, I really love making them and I really love seeing them about the place. They are an essential part of our home, well loved and well used. Looking forward to many more in my future.

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Comments

[Rose-Marguerite]

Congratulations! Your new cushion is as beautiful as the previous one.
Regards from Brittany

[Sue Webber]

I caved! I ordered the book! Along with 4 others! Oops! Tis all your fault and I shall tell the husband so when he sees the credit card bill!! :D ♥

[faygie]

lovely and cosy and happy!

[Miss Holly]

Love them Lucy....I think I am going to make some myself !! Thanks for the rave reviews of Selina lakes book ...went right out and bought it!! Love it too!!!! As always you are the best!

[Kylie]

I totally agree. Places without them seem soul-less to me. Kx

[Sandra Licher]

Gorgeous fabrics, colors and pillows! Ta Da! I wish I had that magic talent of putting colors together so well. You are gifted! What is Connievan? Is that your Mom's place?

[Megan]

Love, love, love the cushions. And of course those Happy colours- you continue to make the heart smile. Keep on creating Lucy!!

[Bev]

This has definitely got me thinking that I must buy some fabric online. It's difficult to get such colours and patterns in ordinary material shops, even John Lewis.

Well done on the zip mastery!

[Mo]

Beautiful cushions Lucy <3 You are indeed multi-talented <3
Mo x

[Elizabeth Hansen]

Lucy, you amaze me! Can I come live in your house? ha ha!

[[email protected]]

You are such an inspiration even to us older girls.

[Crochet with Raymond]

Just gorgeous, I adores them X

[Ali Dufty]

Well done Lucy , they look fab ! Lucky Connievan !!I yearn for a stitchy session- just keeps sliding to the bottom of the list of to-do's !!!! sigh!!

[Julie]

Your sofa looks so inviting and comfy.

[Jenny]

It's me again - I just found the posts on the round flowery crocheted pillow. Guess I should look before I ask, huh?! Though it looks too difficult for me right now, I'm posting a pic of it by my desk as something to strive towards :)

Jenny

[Jenny]

Your second cushion is soooooo beautifully happy! I feel so inspired to go make something after reading this post. Sadly I don't have near the talent you do . . . practice, practice, practice.

I also really love that flowery round crocheted cushion on top of the others in the last photo. Where did you find the pattern for that? or did you design it yourself?

I've been thinking a lot about all the color in Attic24 and thinking maybe I need to follow suit. I live in Montana (in the U.S.) and we have a good 6 months of cold/snow/rain each year. I think more colors just may help keep things a little peppier in those long months.

Happy weekend.

Jenny

[Sarah]

Beautiful

[Lis]

Hi Lucy,

I have two books I wonder if you have seen? One is "Sewing Clothes Kids Love" by Langdon and Pollehn (which is all about embellishments, ribbons, crochet flowers, ruffles and fun) so even if you don't want to make clothes this book might inspire you even more than you already are (if that's possible!!). And "Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs" by Edie Eckman which has oodles of shape and pattern ideas.
You have gotten me back into crochet with all your wonderful patterns and ideas and doings! I love doing my own thing, but you have given me a wonderful push all because one day I googled "crochet flowers".
On the cover of the first book is your wonderful pink many flowered pillow backing fabric. If you ever find it please tell and I will do the same. Thanks for always carving out time for yourself!!! Hey you are well on your way to a wonderfully zany embellished patchwork quilt, (or am I talking about myself.. hmmm).
Mahek was telling you about India, which reminds me of a book I've been meaning to check out, "India Color" by Crites and Nanji. Have you seen it? The colors of India are wonderful (no I've never been) very inspiring!

enjoy!
Lis

[Maggie]

They look beautiful :) Maggie xx

http://prettyflowersinthewindow.blogspot.co.uk/

[Mary Ann E]

Lucy, I look forward to going to your blog to see what you've been up to! I loved this one, you added bits of bric a brac between the fabric strips. The zipper - perfect. You are a creative genius, don't doubt yourself (though it is nice to know that someone else struggles with that too) :)

[mahek]

Hi
Lucy,
As I always say, Reading your posts puts life into me.. I feel inspired , I feel alive and love the way you make small things so precious...
Have you visited India , you will love being here you will love the colour, the fabrics the decorations everything here is so colorful and so you...
How I would love to send you some fabrics or some little colorful trinkets like earrings, or neck-pieces which will make you happy..
would love to know your email for getting your address if I could...
You should visit India.. you will love it...

[Leanne]

Lucy- your cushions are simply glorious!!

Leanne x
talesofsimpledays.blogspot.com

[Kristen]

So, so lovely! Great job on the zipper, too. Goodness, I just love your couch, all smothered in homey-homemade stuff. Bliss. :)

[Patty]

I am so inspired by you and your cushions! I made the blooming flower cushion and it is so fun that now I am inspired to sew a cottage style pillow as well. A great excuse to peruse the fabric store!!

[Heather Chalkley]

Lovely cushions Lucy! I could recommend Fabricrehab.co.uk who stock retro, scandanavian, spotty and many more fabrics. But I wouldn't dream of it in case you were tempted, as I so often am :-)