Cushions and Christmas

It’s been a long time between blogs but I thought I would share with you my efforts with octagons!!!

While away earlier this year we saw in an amazing shop some octagon shaped ottomans.  They looked great and as we have some old couch fabric at home we thought we might have a go at making them…

So I started with a couple of prototypes – not quite as big as the final one will be but a decent size.  My shapes were taken from a computer program and then printed off (I did the octagon shape first and then broke it into the triangles).

Then it is a matter of cutting out and stitching together (sides then tops with a bit unstitched in one of the top bits. I have used heavy fusible interface on the sides and as one whole piece I have put a piece of bag batting on the top and bottom. This lets it keep its shape.  I slit one in the centre as this is where I fill it and then hand stitch it up.

To stuff – I am sure you can get heavy stuffing but I have yet to source this – what I have done is used old cushions and pillows (clean!!) that have lost their oomph but are quite dense. I shove a lot in!!!

Finally to close hand stitch the opening closed and then stitch the octagon in the middle on.

So I have made 2 so far with the biggie cut out as my January project…

In the meantime...

Threadneedle Craft wishes you all the best over the festive season. Be safe and happy and enjoy your families.

Our shop will reopen on January 8 with our school holiday program commencing on the 12^th.

Its that time....

So.... progress.... if you want to call it that... (more like why do I keep adding things to the to do list???)

Managed to finish the Christmas bunting and hang it at Threadneedle before the actual day!!! The "Merry" portion will have to wait for next year (loved doing it but... not sure if I am mad enough yet).

Therefore, we wish you a Merry...

In between working out what decorations to make for teachers, what to take for the family Christmas dinner and of course Christmas shopping we of course decided to do a bit of renovating at home....

I am proud today to say my washing machine is back inside and working (goodbye laundromat!!!).

So out of the chaos that is Christmas at our house a few things have been created and have come into Threadneedle.

Jodie's Owl Post has arrived and it is amazing.

One of my sisters has loved owls for a very long time - so I think the white one on the right is going to be hers ... The brown one is a model for our School Holiday program that commences in January.

Jodie's is the beautifully finished one whereas mine still needs a bit of work (tummy feathers etc).

I have also been playing with one of Melly's bag patterns - namely The Sleepover Bag after one of our local quilters decided to make three with great results. 

This picture frame fabric from Kokka is awesome, so I had to make it (for the shop of course I said)!!!

This is a great bag - it is not for the absolute beginner but the end result is amazing - I am really happy with how it came out

So, be good and I hope Santa comes and brings you all you wish for. Stay safe and well over the festive season.

XXX