White gathered cushion

You will need

• Template
• two white fabric circles, 28cm in diameter
• two 13 x 72cm pieces of white fabric
• matching thread
• 40cm zip
• fabric marking pen
• stranded embroidery thread in three shades (for example, DMC in colours 600, 605 and 554)
• 45cm round inner cushion

To make
NOTE Seam allowance are 1.5 cm.
1 Use the template. Mark the embroidery motif on the right side of one of the fabric circles. Using three strands of embroidery thread, embroider the line in chain stitch and the circular motifs in buttonhole stitch.

2 Overlock one long edge of each of the 13 x 72cm pieces of fabric. Pin these two edges, right sides together, and sew the first and last 16cm of the seam. Insert the zip into the opening in the centre of the seam. Pin the two short ends, right sides together, and sew to form a loop.

3 Sew gathering stitches along the top and bottom edges of the fabric loop. Gather each edge to fit the fabric circles. Pin and sew the gathered seam allowances to the fabric circles to complete the cushion cover. Insert the inner cushion.

Pink gathered cushion

You will need

• 65cm pink cotton fabric
• 40cm zip
• matching thread
• white stranded embroidery thread
• 45cm round cushion inner

To make
NOTE Seam allowances are 1.5cm.
1 Cut one fabric circle with a diameter of 63cm. In the centre of the circle, cut a hole with a diameter of 27cm to form a doughnut-shaped piece. Cut a second fabric circle with a diameter of 18cm, and mark the embroidery motif on the right side. Mark two semicircles with a diameter of 48cm on the remaining fabric. Add a 1.5cm seam allowance to the two straight edges of the semicircles and cut out the two pieces.

2 Overlock the two straight edges of the semi-circular pieces. Pin the two edges right sides together, and sew the first and last 4cm of the seam, leaving a 40cm opening for the zip. Insert the zip into the opening to complete the back panel of the cushion.

3 Sew gathering stitches around the inner circle of the doughnut- shaped piece and gather the seam allowance to fit the outer edge of the small fabric circle. Pin and sew the gathered seam allowance to the small circle to complete the front piece of the cushion.

4 Using the template embroider the motif on the front piece in chain stitch with three strands of embroidery thread.

5 Next, sew gathering stitches around the outer edge of the front piece. Gather the seam allowance to fit the back piece. Pin and sew the front piece to the back, right sides together. Insert the inner cushion into the cover.

Text and images: Ideas magazine