My mum decided the living room needed a bit of a refresh so I offered to make some new cushion covers. This is a great way to quickly brighten up a room with minimal expense.
You will need:
Cushion
Fabric
Newspaper templates
Matching thread
Scissors
Pins
Button
Cord to make the button loop
First, I measured the cushions and worked out what size the covers needed to be, taking into account a 1.5cm seam allowance on the edges plus a 3cm seam allowance for the top edges of the front flaps.
Then I drew out a template on newspaper. I decided to make them with a flap on the front fastened with a button rather than a traditional side zip so I needed a back piece and 2 front pieces.
Then I lay and pinned the patterns out on the fabric putting them in the order: long front piece, back piece, short front piece to make sure the stripes matched.
Cut out the pattern pieces.
Fold over the top edges of the two front flaps, pin and neatly sew in a matching thread.
Lay the shorter front flap onto the back piece (right sides together) and pin along 3 sides. Try to match up the stripes as you pin.
Sew along the 3 sides 1.5cm from the edge.
Lay the longer piece on the back piece (right sides together) and pin along 3 sides.
Sew along the 3 sides, 1.5cm from the edge.
Cut off the corners and turn the cushion cover the right way round, pushing out the corners.
Press flat.
To make the button loop first work out the middle of the top flap and mark with a pin.
Work out the length of your loop and cut the cord to size, make sure to wrap sellotape around the ends to stop it unravelling.
Make the loop and sew onto the middle of the top flap on the underside.
Work out where the button should go using the loop (you will need the cushion in the cover at this point).
Sew the button onto the bottom flap.
Et voilà! A striking cushion cover to brighten up our living room. Simply repeat the process for as many cushions as you have.
