A few weeks ago I did a little bit on online shopping from Patchwork Chicks here in the UK, and couldn't resist another kit to make this delightful cushion called "Christmas Friends" by Lynette Anderson Designs. Everything was included in the kit - the fabrics (also designed by Lynette), the embroidery threads and a hand[painted snowman button. I stupidly mis-laid the reindeer ribbon that trims one of the blocks, and Karen came to the rescue! Thanks Karen - you saved the day!...
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...the pattern was placed on my lightbox, and the stitchery designs were traced very carefully onto the background fabric with a very fine Micron Pigma pen. When the designs were all traced, a piece of weaveline interfacing was fused to the back of the fabric. I added a quick dab of Sewline fabric glue to the back of the reindeer ribbon and it was pressed into position on one of the mini stitchery blocks. The glue eliminates the need for pins and is easy to stitch over. I used a longer stitch for the top-stitching, approx 3mm then pieced the cushion front, pressing all seams as I went along...
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...I did most of the stitchery while I was having some "me" time while Mr F was having a lay-in a couple of weeks ago. I'm very glad that I'd invested in those apliquick rods from The Fat Quarters. They certainly make these small applique pieces much easier to make. The Santa mini block had a "fuzzy" beard for Santa, and the Snowman block was embellished with a hand painted snowman button...
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...I was able to get the cushion front quilted this afternoon. Using my favourite thread, Aurifil, in matching colours. I quilted this very simply "stitch-in-the-ditch" then some straight rows 0.5" apart on the outer border. I prefer to make cushion covers with zipper closures, so used the backing fabric that was included in the kit for the binding and part of the cushion back, and used a double layer of muslin for the lower part of the cushion back....
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...and here is the finished cushion, made with a combination of techniques. Machine piecing, hand embroidery, hand applique, and machine quilting. Another project completed, now just what shall I start next?
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