Thursday 30 September 2010

Tutorial: Vintage-Style Button Heart Piped Cushion part 1


 Ever have a Eureka moment? It struck me that, with a bit of rejigging, I could use our old sofa seat cushions to make this really fab Modern Country button heart cushion for next to nothing.

Inspiration cushion - no longer available

Wanna see how? Come with me....

This is what you'll need:

Sofa seat cushion
Calico panel
Buttons
Sewing equipment


Step 1:


Unpick the seams of seat cushion. Keep the piping, and the square top and bottom. Discard the strip with the zip that wrapped around the middle.


Step 2:


Take one of the large squares of fabric and cut out a 20''/50cm-sided square size plus 1''//2.5 cm  seam allowance all round. Put to one side.



When cutting out material, these are your best friends: a rotary cutter, a cutting mat and a clear rule. You'll get much better straighter and cleaner cutting than with scissors.


Step 3:


Take a piece of calico (I used an old cream curtain lining), iron it and put it in an embroidery ring. This will help get the buttons spaced evenly as it pulls the material taut.



Step 4:


 Sew on mother-of-pearl buttons in a heart shape. I found it easiest to put a pencil dot at the top, bottom and widest point of the sides of where I wanted the heart to go. I started at the bottom and worked my way up.


 Step 5:

Take the calico out of the embroidery ring and cut it to a 10''/25cm square plus 0.5''/1cm seam allowance. Turn under and pin the seam allowance. Press flat. Please don't skip the pressing steps when you make something. It's simply miraculous the great results it gives. 
  

Step 6:


Attach the calico panel in the centre of the larger square you put aside earlier using small discreet stitches called, I think, hem stitch.


Step 7:

Sew larger mother-of-pearl buttons to the corner of the calico sqaure.



I hope you've got your scissors to the ready. I'll stop there for now to let you catch up. Come back tomorrow for the assembling of the cushion.

{So....what do you think so far? Do you think you might you have a go? }

Enter your email address:

to subscribe to Modern Country Style





25 comments :

Jessica said...

Very cute!! I love the idea and pretty simple.

It's me said...

I really like your pillow !!! lovely day....love Ria...

michelle said...

I love it! You are so clever! I love Eureka moments! They don't happen too often for me, but when they do, I love it!! :) Can't wait to see the finished product!!

Rachel Noelle Pallas said...

~Love it!~*So Darling~* Hugs, Rachel ;)

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

Ooooh, I'm liking it a lot. I've got a tin of vintage buttons - this could be my next project. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Thank you! Have a go at making your own! It's not so hard once you get going. It's definitely the 'getting going' that holds me up!

Unknown said...

So pretty! But it involves using a sewing machine, and for some reason those devices do not like me...they bite! I can quilt, by hand, but projects that involve the machine....nope!

Holly said...

Adorable! Might have to try something like that.

Jill said...

What a lovely idea! Those buttons look great!

Tina said...

Oh I LOVE your cushion! Especially with the gorgeous mother-of-pearl button heart!! Thank you for such a great tutorial:) ~ Tina x

Citra said...

Those Mother of pearl buttons are so lovely.. It brightens the cushion
Lovely, really lovely
I love how plain and simple embellishment sometimes make its way to the top

Following from Boost My Blog Friday
Hope a visit from you

Citra @ innocentia
http://childhood-obsessions.blogspot.com/

Shabby Anne said...

Nice to have found you. I am a new follower from Boost My Blog Friday.

GardenOfDaisies said...

I love the beautiful heart you made with the mother of pearl buttons! Really pretty transformation of your cushion!

Eat To Live said...

I love it, so feminine.

I am a new follower from Boost My Blog Friday. I would appreciate it if you could stop over and follow back.

I am giving a Halloween Apron away to one of my followers. 10/5/

Hanna said...

Hi there. I am your newest follower from the Friday blog hop! Lovely blog!! You can find me at www.bouffeebambini.blogspot.com

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Hi!

I'm your newest follower!

Stop by the Beach Bungalow sometime and say hello!

S
xo

Vanessa said...

Hi! Thanks so much for joining my party today! So fun to meet new folks and this is such a great idea! I absolutely love it and it looks like something you would find in a boutique! One of a kind, for sure!
Looking forward to seeing more of you here in blogland,
Vanessa

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Hi Sarah,

I've looked and I can't find any; are there any exterior shots of your house? Would LOVE to see some, please?

Sue @ Beach Bungalow
xo

KimMalk said...

Very nice idea, you did a wonderful job. I like that you chose reflective buttons.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

So cute!! Just love it!

Erin said...

Great tutorial, love the pillow!

Debra@CommonGround said...

Great tutorial, the cushion turned out beautifully! Thanks for linking up with VIF!
xo,
Debra

Unknown said...

This is beautiful and sparkly, Sarah. Great tutorial, too. I love the mother of pearl buttons. Thank you so much for linking up to my Sparkle Party. You cracked me up with your "two shakes of a bee's knee" email. I had never heard that saying before!

Hugs,
Jami

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Thank you for your gorgeous comments! Sorry to spread the tutorials over three posts but felt one would be toooooooooooooooooooooooo long!

If any of you have a go then I'd love to have a peek if you have a moment to send me a link.

Sarahx
www.moderncountrystyle.blogspot.com

Shelly @Crafty Creative Studio said...

Great tutorial -you are right, a full how-to would have been overwhelming! :)

Related Posts with Thumbnails
 
01 09 10