You will need

• flower and butterfly motif
• 30cm white linen fabric
• 30cm natural coloured linen fabric
• stranded embroidery thread in red, pink, white and dark brown
• 35cm white zip fastener
• 30cm white poly-cotton fabric
• polyester stuffing

To make
NOTE All seam allowances are 1.5cm.

1 Cut one 30 x 45cm piece from the white linen fabric for the back panel, and one 30 x 28cm piece for the front panel. Cut one 30 x 28cm piece from the natural coloured linen fabric for the second front panel.

2 Join the two front panels together by sewing the 30cm-long seam. Overlock the seam allowances separately and press the seam open.

3 Transfer the motif onto the front panel. The cross-stitches are worked with six strands of embroidery thread. The outlines of the flower and butterfly are worked in back stitch with six strands of thread. The branch is also worked in back stitch, using four strands of thread.

4 Pin the lower seam of the back and front panels, right sides together. Sew the first and last 5cm of the seam. Next, insert the zip into the opening in the centre of the seam. Complete the cover by sewing the remaining three seams. Turn the cover through to the right side and press.

5 Cut two 30 x 45cm pieces from the white poly-cotton fabric for the cushion inner. Sew the four seams, leaving a 10cm opening in one side. Turn the inner through to the right side, fill with stuffing and sew up the opening with hand stitches.

Text and image: Ideas magazine (Creative Ideas 2013)