Archive for beginner sewing pattern

Beginner Sewing Tutorial – Easy Pom Pom Cushion

This envelope style cushion cover is one of the easiest styles of cushion cover to make as there are no zips and no button holes to master.  The added touch of the pom pom trim gives a bit more interest but you could just as easily make it without of you don’t have any available or don’t want to.

You will need:

A cushion inner pad | Fabric for your cushion cover | Pom pom trim (if using) | Matching thread | Sewing machine | Scissors | Pins

Step 1 – cut the front of your cushion cover

Measure your cushion pad.  You will need to cut a square, or rectangle according to your cushion shape, to the measurement of your cushion pad but you will need to include a 1cm seam allowance all around.  For example, my cushion was 50 x 50 cm so I cut a square which measured 52 x 52cm which included a 1cm seam allowance for each side.

Step 2 – cut your back ‘envelope’ pieces

You will need to cut two rectangles for each of your ‘envelope’ pieces.  There is no exact rule for working out this measurement, but I tend to use the formula width x 80% of the length of your cushion.  So for my example above I will be cutting a rectangle measuring 52cm x 40cm.  An 80% measurement might feel quite long but remember that this is going to include a hem and you want quite a generous overlap of the layers so that no inner pad pokes through!

NB. If you are using a rectangular cushion follow a similar calculation.  For example if you have a cushion measuring 50 x 30 cm go with two pieces at either 80% each or sometimes having a small piece and a larger piece can work nicely like my example below. 

Step 3 – hem both of your envelope pieces

Turn over and press a 1cm hem along one of the opening edges of your back pieces then press over another 1cm so that your raw edge is completely enclosed.  Pin this seam if necessary as you’ll be sewing this soon.  Repeat this step for your other envelope piece, if you are using a directional print like I have here (the print all faces in the same direction) just make sure that your fabric is going to be the right way up once it’s sewn.  You may need to turn one hem at the top of your piece and the other at the bottom to ensure that the print will be facing the right way when it’s sewn. 

Step 4 – cut and prepare your pom pom trim (if using)

If you are using a pom pom trim measure and cut two lengths the same length as your cushion plus approximately 3cm extra just in case!  Place one length of trim along the left edge of your front cushion piece on the right side of your fabric with the pom poms facing inwards.  Pin the trim to the cushion piece and repeat on the right side.  Once pinned, tack the trim to your cushion piece either by machine using a straight stitch with a long stitch length or by hand.  This will keep the pom poms in place when you’re sewing the cushion cover together.  Remove the pins as you go.

Step 5 – sew your cushion together

With your pom pom trim now tacked in place, carefully place your cushion top and envelope pieces right sides together, one back piece overlapping the other and pom poms securely inside.  Pin all around the edge taking care that all of the trim is facing the inside of the cushion and nothing is accidentally poking out.  Once everything is securely pinned, take your cushion over to the sewing machine and carefully and slowly sew all around the full square, Making sure to sew through the edge of your pom pom trim at the sides which should be securely sandwiched between your back and front pieces.

If you would like to you can finish the raw edges of your cushion with a zig zag or overlock stitch to prevent fraying.

Step 6 – turn your cushion cover through to the right side

Pull your cushion cover through to the right side through the envelope opening, straighten out the edges and make sure that you managed to catch all of that pom pom trim in your seam.  If you missed any simply unpick that area, pin it back in, turn it back to the wrong side again and sew the area that you missed. 

Give the cushion cover a good shake out and a lovely press with the iron and pop it over your cushion pad.

And that’s it, you now have a lovely, fancy new cushion pad! 

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, if you do use it to make your own cushion cover I would love to see and share your pictures.  You can tag me on Instagram @poppy_and_primrose.

I’m hoping to be adding more beginner sewing tutorials to my blog – I’d love you to subscribe to my mailing list to be the first to hear about them and to make sure that you don’t miss out.

Thank you so much for reading and happy sewing!

Lots of love

Sally xx

Hair Scrunchie Tutorial – easy ‘make in an hour’ sewing project

These pretty hair scrunchies make an excellent little project for beginner and more experienced sewists alike.  They are brilliant for using up fabric scraps and you can even make them to co-ordinate with your handmade clothes!

In my instructions I’ll be sewing on my sewing machine but you could also sew all of this pattern by hand if you don’t have a machine available.  They make a great starter sewing project for children who want to learn to sew too.

You will need:

Fabric scraps | Elastic approx. 5mm/1cm wide | Co-ordinating thread | Safety pin | Sewing machine or hand sewing needle

Step 1 – cut your fabric

Choose the fabric you would like to use for your hair scrunchie.  If you don’t have any fabric available or can’t get to a shop you could always use an old item of clothing or an old sheet or duvet cover that you no longer need.

Draw a rectangle onto your fabric measuring 50cm by 10 cm and cut it out. If you would prefer more fabric in your scrunchie increase the width and equally, if you have very thick hair and want to be able to wrap your scrunchie around your hair more times, increase the length.  The smaller scrunchies I’m making today are made to the size above, but I also made two which were 50cm by 15cm and they were more puffy (technical term!).

Step 2 – sew your fabric into a tube

With right sides together fold and pin your fabric along the longest side of the rectangle.  Sew a seam of 1cm along this length either by hand or with your sewing machine. If your fabric is quite bulky you may wish to trim your seam down to 0.5cm but be careful not to cut into any of your stitches.

Step 3 – turn your tube right side out

Turn your tube through to the right side.  If you find this difficult you can either fold the ends over a thick knitting needle or attach a safety pin to one end of the fabric and guide it through the tube to the other side and pull through.  Give your tube a quick iron on the right side if you want to be really neat!

Step 4 – cut your elastic

If you cut your rectangle to 50cm cut a length of elastic approximately 30cm.  If your rectangle is shorter or longer, as an approximate measurement cut your elastic roughly 65% of your rectangle length. 

Step 5 – thread your elastic

Attach a safety pin to one end of your elastic and thread it through the inside of your tube of fabric until it pokes out the other end.  Make sure you keep hold of the other end of the elastic too or you will lose it inside your tube.  When the safety pin comes out the other end remove the pin and tie the ends of elastic into a secure double knot.

Step 6 – close your fabric tube

On one end of your fabric tube fold inwards a seam of approx. 1cm with your fingers, this doesn’t need to be super accurate but try to make sure you have enough that no raw edges are going to peek through.  Poke the raw edge of the other end of your tube inside and underneath your folded end and pin. 

Then, either with your sewing machine or by hand, sew through all three layers (both ends of the tube and the elastic) to close the tube.  If you want to be really neat you could slip stitch this opening by hand anyway so that no sewing is visible.  I always tend to use the machine and a matching thread because when the scrunchie is all bunched up it doesn’t notice anyway!

Give your scrunchie a quick stretch on your hand to evenly spread the gathering.

Step 7 – well done, you’re done!

Congratulate yourself on making your scrunchie and wear it with pride!!

If you use my tutorial to make your own scrunchie I would love to see and share your pictures.  You can tag me on Instagram @poppy_and_primrose.

I’m hoping to add more beginner sewing tutorials to my blog – I’d love you to subscribe to my mailing list to be the first to hear about them and to make sure that you don’t miss out. You can sign up via my website home page.

Thank you so much for reading!

Lots of love

Sally xx