Craft: Monogrammed cushion to make
This monogrammed cushion is the perfect gift for a newborn’s christening and will look pretty on display in a nursery.
You will need
Tracing paper and pencil Iron-on transfer pen
15 x 15cm white cotton or linen fabric for the front
Two quilters fat quarters in a colourful print
Stranded embroidery cotton to complement print fabric Embroidery hoop
Crewel needle 1m flanged piping cord in white or cream
Matching sewing thread Zipper or piping foot Polyester toy stuffing
Cutting out
For one pillow, cut two strips of 7 x 15cm and two of 7 x 25cm fabric in a complementary print. Cut one 25 x 25cm cushion back.
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Using a computer, print your chosen initials on to a sheet of tracing paper, or draw out the letters freehand. On the reverse of the paper, go over the outlines of the letters with a transfer pen.
2 Position the letters in the centre of the white square panel and press with a hot iron to transfer the design. Stretch the fabric in an embroidery hoop and stitch the letters using a close satin stitch worked by hand in a matching thread. Remove from the hoop and press.
3 With right sides facing and 1cm seam allowances, pin and sew the shortest strips to the sides of the embroidered square. Repeat for the longer strips, and sew them to the top and bottom.
4 Lay the piping on to the right side of the front cushion cover piece with raw edges matching. Pin in place, starting and finishing on the same edge of the cushion, and snipping into seam allowances of the piping to help it turn the corners.
5 Stitch the piping in place, using a zipper foot and leaving a gap at the ends of the piping cord. To join the ends of the piping, unpick a few stitches on the piping fabric strip and trim the two cord ends so that they butt. Turn under 1cm of fabric at one end of the piping to neaten it and slip this end over the raw end. Hand stitch ends neatly in place, then machine this section in place. 6
With right sides together and 1cm seam allowances, pin and sew the cushion front and back together. Use the zipper foot on your sewing machine and work closely to the piping. Leave a short gap on one side for turning through. Turn right sides out, stuff with filling and hand sew the opening edges closed.