Embroidered cushions

Back in April, we went to a huge flea market and, among other things, I picked up a length of pink and white stripy fabric. It reminded me of the Milly Molly Mandy books and her dress, described as pink and white striped. That’s not why I bought it. Broken threads still highlighted a seam hastily pulled apart. Definitely second hand, not stained and more than ready for a new life, I thought. As soon as I held it, I knew transforming it into embroidered cushions for our bedroom was on the cards. This weekend, I put needle to fabric.

How I made it

To start with, I split the fabric in half and it was just enough to cover two large cushions. I made an envelope style cushion cover for each, with no fabric to spare. I contemplated ribbon ties or buttons to fasten it with, but the overlap was large enough that I could avoid adding strain to the fabric.

Next I traced letters and a garland of flowers from my Made in France book using the trace and transfer technique. I love this book. There are so many projects that I’m keen to tackle. I don’t embroider often, but when I do, I remember how much I enjoy it and would enjoy an excuse to spend more time perfecting my skill.

Using a hoop, I embroidered the first initial of my husband’s name on one and mine on the other. I put them on opposite corners, as the embroidered cushions will look better when arranged. They seemed a bit lost on such a big cushion, so I added the flowers to support them and I think it worked.

I love the pink and sage green together. Funnily enough, the week before in yoga, we were asked to think of that very colour combination. Don’t ask me why. As soon as they mentioned the combination, my mind instantly wondered off thinking about the pink and green Elephant Hawk moths. I’m almost tempted to add an embroidered moth on to each of the cushion covers.

Finished

Cushions completed and arranged as intended on our bed. They look fabulous with the Cath Kidston duvet set I rescued a few months ago. (I still can’t believe that the set was being sold on as craft material, when all it needed was a quick repair on the corner seam.)

The flowers aren’t perfect and I’m already planning how I’ll improve them next time. I can see this turning into a low key obsession. I’ll be monogramming every thing that I can lay my hands on, in order to create the ultimate embroidered flower. Inhabitants of house beware.