Pretty Patchwork

 This half term in our school sewing clubs we have been learning the patchwork basics. Sewing to gether squares of fabric to make a cushion and then personalising it with a felt motif.

The children have made some gorgeous cushions to make and take home - just completed in time for half term. Some will be given as presents - Valentine's Day, Family Birthdays or kept hidden until Mother's Day, and some will be proudly displayed at home straight away.

Children's Creativity never ceases to amaze me and it is great to see their own personal tastes and ideas coming through in their designs. At the start of the half term the children were showm samples that I had made (pictured below).

Then once they were given a range of lovely fabrics, templates and felt to choose from they came up with their own brilliant varied designs. A huge well done to everyone who came to a Hope & Gloria Sewing Club this half term - you were fab. Can't wait to see the results of the lovely Easter projects we will be working on after the half term hols. Here are just a few of the lovely cushions that were created...

"No Sew" Fabric Hearts Tutorial

Sometimes you just end up with little pieces of fabric that you just done know what to do with....

If that's the case, here is a really quick and simple idea that as well as taking no time at all looks scrumptious.

In our workshops this half term we have been making patchwork and applique cushions (more about these at a later date), using gorgeous Spring and Summer coloured vintage patterned fabric. This has meant quite a lot of leftover fabric lying around my workroom and here's what I have done with it.

A pretty heart decoration and still plenty of time to make one for Valentine's Day!

To make your own follow these simple steps:

You will need : 1.5mm wire approx 50cm, Scrap pieces of cotton fabric, 30cm of ribbon, pinking shears


Step one:

Using the pinking shears cut your fabric into small strips approx 1.5cm x 8cm

Step two:

Bend the wire in half. The bend at the bottom forms the point of the heart. Now curve the two top ends of the wire inwards to form a heart shape. Secure the shape with a twist where the two ends meet.

Step three:

You are now ready to starting adding the fabric. This is really easy - simply knot each strip of fabric individually around the wire. Make sure it is tied tightly and push each piece close together as you work your way around the wire heart shape. From time to time you may need to re-shape the wire and again at the end.

Step four:

Once the wire heart is full of tightly packed fabric pieces use the pinking shears to trim the ends of the fabric - this makes the heart much neater and allows the heart shape to "emerge" from under the fabric. Keep trimming until you are happy with the shape and add your piece of colourful ribbon for hanging.