Take a look at this recent project in the pictures below that I have been working on with a few of my friends. I’ve been desperate to spill the beans but had to wait as it was a secret gift!
For a number of months a top secret dinner party had been planned for our friend Beth for the week before her wedding. A few friends and I wanted to create a special gift for Beth to take home after the party. A personal and handmade gift was the plan and after some discussion and a few weeks of procrastination and project changes, we decided on a set of two cushions with the bride and groom’s name appliqued onto their own cushion.
In addition to their name on their own cushion we wanted to add some images that would mean something to them both. We decided to create a few embroidered pieces including a white snowflake, map of New Zealand, Cornish pasties and dog paw prints to form the four corners of the cushion. All four symbolise parts of their life so far that mean something close to their hearts. I embroidered the outline of a map of New Zealand and chose French knots for the simple design. I was delighted to do this part of the cushion as the country is close to my heart to as I travelled there at the start of the year.
My friend Kate found the fabulous patterned fabric squares on etsy and snapped them up quick to make a basis of the cushion, without these I really don’t think they would have looked as they do. After a few evenings of hardwork and deliberation we put together the cushions using my Mum’s sewing machine. We made the cushions almost identical on the opposite side using a blue theme. Sarah found the checked fabric from an old shirt and ingeniously cut out the pockets for the cushion. We put a message in each pocket for the bride and groom on each cushion wishing them good luck for their lives together.
After weeks of waiting the day arrived for the party and we got together early to prepare the room and food, laying out glasses, blowing up cream balloons, adding silver snowflake table confetti to tables and lighting lots of tea lights. I made a heart garland to hang on the mirror in my lounge for Beth to take away with her too.
The girls and I were on the edge of our seats when we presented to Beth the large squidgy parcels wrapped up in brown paper and gold ribbon. Let’s just say they went down well! Even the groom liked the colours of his cushion as they matched the colours of the football team he supports, Norwich City.
The cushions were meant to be fun and hopefully will be out on display even if they are in the spare room! I think we successfully made something special for them to keep.
It certainly has inspired me to try a bit of quilt making on a larger scale and get stuck in to more crafty things for the home. I’ve started a love affair with my sewing machine...watch this space for new projects that will appear next year. I don’t know what to make first!Labels: cushions, embroidery, heart garland, making, patchwork, sewing
