Hello everyone, today it gives me great pleasure to introduce my guest blogger, Kate Leonard, who is a fellow blogger at Terrys Fabrics. She’s also an illustrator and designer. Kate very kindly referenced one of my blogs on her site a few weeks ago and recently offered to write this guest blog for me. I think you’re going love it. She illustrated the blog, which should make it all the more special.
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Hello my name is Kate and I’m a fellow blogger over at Terry’s Fabrics, I have a real creative spark and enthusiasm for all things DIY home decor and design based whilst outside of blogging I’m the illustrator and designer behind www.kateleonardillustration.co.uk. A firm believer in making do and making over the furnishings and home treasures you already have, there are endless possibilities for some creative DIY up cycling projects to really spruce up any part of your home without breaking the bank.
Introduction: Now that the autumn season is here, leaves are going to be endlessly falling from the trees and its going to get chilly and windy outside. So what could be better than to get stuck into an autumn inspired creative project, giving your living space cushions a leafy up do to that will perfectly match this season.
What you will need:
- Calico fabric squares
- Fabric medium
- Acrylic paint
- 2 paint brushes
- Paint palette or plate
- Domestic iron
- Jar of clean water for your brushes
- Sewing machine
Note: you can purchase fabric medium and acrylic paint from any local or online craft store, however if you’re wanting to try something a little different you can try fabric pens for a different style and effect. Please read the details on your fabric medium just so that you know the recommended steps for use as provided by the manufacturer as instructions on using different mediums may vary.
Step one: Choose the color palette you want to use on your cushion and with an added drop of fabric medium mix them on your palette. Use a bit of water to dilute your paint palette to a slightly watery consistency, that way your paint will be less dry and spread more easily as you paint your fabric.
Step two: Depending on the side of your cushion, cut your calico fabric to size but with an extra half an inch over it’s actually size to allow for extra space when sewing everything together.
Step three: Doodle on a piece of paper the type of design you want to apply to your cushion, you can use a collection of autumn leaves you can collect to inspire you of different shapes and shades to use in your project.
Step four: Once you’ve sketched out your design, stretch your fabric over the embroidery ring and begin painting your design onto your fabric. If you are a worried you can always lightly pencil your shapes in place to give you a sketch to follow.
Step five: Once each individual side of your cushion is done allow them to dry before then moving onto ironing your fabric to seal the fabric medium.
P.s each side doesn’t have to be identical it can be completely different if you want!
Step six: When you’re all done and happy with your finished design, simply sew a straight stitch down all sides of the fabric leaving a 6 inch gap on one side to pop in your cushion. You can zigzag stitch around the edges of the cover again for extra security if you’d like to and once you’ve placed your cushion inside your cover all that’s left to do is sew the bottom gap together and admire your completed work.
Now that you’ve got the step by step how to’s why not get creating your own and see what amazing and unique cushion designs you can create!
Thanks, Kate. Isn’t this an easy DIY project? I think that cushions can be designed for any season, not just autumn.
Simone
