We used raw silk, but you can use any type of fabric suitable for decorating the scatter cushion.

You will need

• fabric
• needle and thread
• needlework scissors
• glue gun
• pencil and ruler

 

 

 

To make
1 You need one long strip of fabric for each rose. Measure 5cm along the selvedge of the fabric and make a cut about 3cm long.

2 Tear the fabric at the cut to make a 5cm-wide strip, right across the width of the fabric. Ours was 137cm long.

3 Work large tacking stitches along the one raw edge, about 1cm from the edge. Gather the fabric as you work. Don’t cut off the thread when you reach the end; tie it in a loop or pin it in place.

4 Switch on your glue gun. Place a drop of glue on the other end of the gathered strip, just above the tacking stitches, and fold the fabric in half.

5 Now start to roll up the strip, with the folded edge facing upwards and the raw edges downwards, glueing as you roll it up. Continue folding the strip double, rolling it and glueing it. Take care not to burn your fingers.

6 Roll the strip up until there is about 5cm left at the end. Pull in the thread to gather up the base of the rose, place glue on the base and stick the loose end over it.

7 Trim away the end around the rose. You can now use your rose as a decoration. TIP For an interesting effect, try making roses with colourful strips of fabric.

Text and image: Ideas magazine