Sooooo, as I may have already mentioned....a couple of times......I GOT A SEWING MACHINE FOR CHRISTMAS- thanks so much Pete and Nanny!!! As you may guess, I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!!!!
I always loved machine sewing and have got a GCSE in textiles, but since I moved out of my parents house I haven't had access to a sewing machine. No, don't get me wrong, when I did have access to a machine it wasn't like I was using it all the time (quite the opposite really!), but since I have become craft obsessed a sewing machine seemed like the next step forwards. Additionally, as I have wrist problems from crochet I thought it would be a great way to satisfy my need to create whilst giving my wrists a break!
I have booked myself on a dress-making course in March (going to learn how to make a vintage-style shift dress and I can't wait!) but in the meanwhile I have just been messing about a bit and trying out new things which I hope to share with you.
My first sewing project was an idea I came across whilst thinking what to do for my youngest sister's 19th Birthday at the end of the month. When she passed her A-Levels I made her some cupcake bunting, so I thought something along those lines. I didn't want to start off with anything too small and fiddly and after some deliberation decided to try out a cushion.
After a quick Google and Pinterest search I couldn't find anything similar to the design I had in mind so I had to go it alone and draw up a pattern.
Bring on the grease-proof paper!
The fabric choice was easy once I had got over the awe of the huge variety of fabrics available in Abakans
I like patterns and am not afraid to mix and match so it will be the brown spotty cotton for the cake part, the starry fabric (oh, I do love this) for the icing part and pale pink for the backing. I also purchased some medium-weight wadding as I had visions for making the front of the cushion quilted.
I used fusible webbing to stick the topping onto the bottom of the cake which worked a lot better than expected. Then, with the wadding on the reverse I used a shell-like stitch to go around the bottom edge of the 'icing' using pale pink cotton. I then zigzag stitched some lines on the base to give more texture before sewing around the entire cupcake shape.
I then sewed the backing on, right sides together, turned back out the right way and stuffed!
Voila! The cherry is a quilted flat circle in red cotton with some free-hand machine embroidery.
So, here it is!
Cute Cupcake Cushion by SallyStrawberry |
I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it! Whilst I am thrilled that it came out so well for my first attempt at sewing in years I am going to play with the shape a bit and try and give it more of a 'muffin top'. Wish me luck!
Heading over to Handmade Harbour today for the first time in 2014!
Much love,
SS xx
I love it! And I'm sure your sister will to. A really lovely combination of fabric patterns. Happy sewing xx
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Natalie. I think I'm getting a bit addicted to sewing! x
DeleteFor your first attempt sewing for a while thats filppin awesome! Thanks for your comment. I look forward to seeing how you get on too! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Luckily it came back to me pretty quickly and I'm getting a bit addicted. Thanks, I wish you all the best for your business. We should stay in touch and compare notes :-)
DeleteWow, that's great work! My sewing machine only ever gets used for straight stiitch, so it's interesting to see what other more creative folks do with thiers
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. I get bored easily so like to mix it up a bit!
DeleteFabulous cushion, I also adore that starry fabric. I'm sure she will love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Lucy. I think I'm going to have to get some more of that fabric!
DeleteThis cupcake is adorable. I love the special stitches your new machine can make. I'm sure it will be a treasured gift.
ReplyDeleteAwwr, thank you!
DeleteThis blog is simply nailed it. The way he carried out the direct approach doesn’t need the reader to think what’s the article is all about. Nursery Embroidery Designs
ReplyDelete