SEW simple
Make reading fun with a colourful book cushion, personalised with an appliqué name
The best way to encourage kids to get into reading? Make it comfy! With its handy front pocket and carry handle, this cute reading cushion makes it easy for little ones to grab their favourite book to curl up with. Sew one for their bed, ready for bedtime stories, or add it to a beanbag or chair to create a dedicated reading corner in an instant. Get your child involved in picking out the fabrics – they’ll love that it’s personalised just for them with an appliqué name.
1 Cut two squares measuring 40cm from the
main fabric, and one 40cm square from the accent fabric. Cut one rectangle measuring 8cm x 20cm from the accent fabric for the handle, and keep a scrap of the main fabric to use for the appliqué letters.
2 To make the appliqué letters, press the Bondaweb onto a scrap of the main fabric. Draw or print out and trace the letters for the name you would like to appliqué in reverse on the paper backing of the Bondaweb before cutting them out.
3 Peel the paper away from each letter, then iron the letters in place along the bottom edge of the right side (RS) of the accent fabric, ensuring you attach them outside of the 1.5cm seam allowance so you won’t sew over the letters when you assemble the cushion later. To make the letters extra secure, sew around each one using a straight stitch on your machine.
4 To make the pocket, fold the appliquéd accent fabric square in half widthways with the wrong sides (WS) together. The folded edge will become the top of the pocket, so make sure your print is facing the right way up and your appliqué letters are on the outside.
5 Place one of the main fabric panels right side (RS) up and lay the folded accent square on top with the raw edges aligned. Sew the two together down both sides and along the bottom using a 1cm seam allowance. This is now the front panel of the cushion.
6 To add the piping, align the raw edge of the covered piping with the raw edge of the front panel of the cushion and sew it in place around the edge. Do this by hand or use a piping or zip foot to get as close to the cord as possible. For a smooth curve, snip into the excess piping fabric at intervals, being careful not to cut through the stitching.
7 To make the handle, fold the small rectangle of fabric in half lengthways with RS facing and sew together down the long edge to make a tube. Turn RS out and press with an iron. Pin the front and back cushion panels RS together, sandwiching the accent fabric handle centrally in the top edge.
8 Sew the back panel to the front panel using a 1.5cm seam allowance, leaving a turning gap in the bottom edge. Turn the cushion cover RS out through the gap and press. Fill the cushion cover with the cushion pad, or soft toy filling if you prefer, before slip stitching the bottom edge closed to finish.