Monday 17 June 2013

Helen's cushion

My stitchy friend Helen celebrated her birthday this week, and as a gift I whipped up this very simple cushion using fabric she had admired in my giant star quilt.  I think the pom pom trim is what really makes this cushion!

Helen's cushion 

I made a quilt sandwich with the feature fabric, cotton batting and a backing fabric in the usual way, and free motion quilted very carefully along all the lines in the cushion front, to add some texture without distracting from the fabric design.

Helen's cushion 

The quilting was reasonably time consuming, but not as difficult as I thought it would be.  It probably helped that I have done some free motion quilting every day this week, so I am in a pretty good FMQ groove.

Helen's cushion

The back is a simple envelope closure.  After making a few cushions with an envelope back, I think the trick is to make sure the two pieces overlap more than you think they should.  This is an 18" square cushion and I cut the two backing pieces 15" by 18".

Helen's cushion

Both the front and the back fabrics are from Laura Gunn's Garden Wall collection.  The pom pom trim is from Spotlight and has been sitting in my stash waiting for just the right project for a long time.

Right, I'm off to buy more pom poms!  Linking up with:

Plum and June Better Off Thread Fresh Poppy Design

and with Finish it up Friday at crazy mom quilts.

19 comments:

Julie said...

The fabric is beautiful too - you did a good job with your FMQ. Love the pompom trim too.

trish said...

Oh how cute! Those black pom poms are so charming! :o)

Lisa said...

What a beautiful pillow! I love it!

Laura C @ littleandlots said...

You're right--it would be a cute pillow without, but the pompoms make it a REALLY cute pillow. Love those Laura Gunn prints in a home dec project!

Camilla said...

The pom poms are just the thing! And the quilting makes the flower proud (in both senses of the word)!

Susan said...

Beautiful! Sometimes the simplest things are the nicest! The black pom poms are the perfect finish!

Janine @ Rainbow Hare said...

This cushion is beautiful. I love the fabric and the pom poms are great :)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

gorgeous cushions, I so want poms poms on everything!!
And I'm loving the pretty picture of you :)

Erica said...

This is such a sweet pillow. I love the pompoms and the quilting!

Martha said...

So pretty! The pom poms make it even more special (I love pom poms).

Paula@TheSassyQuilter said...

You are right, the pom pom's really make these pillows ovet the top! I love the fabric choice too though. Super cute.

Nicole said...

Oh my goodness, I am in love with those black pom poms! It really stands out against the floral.

QuiltCandy said...

I adore this cushion! And the pom pom trim makes it even more special! Your friend is very lucky and is going to be thrilled!

Sara said...

What a fun pillow and very chic!

Jane from Lil Pip said...

That is lovely and wow I would be thrilled to receive that.

Following from Better off thread.

Frances Meredith said...

Lovely cushion, and a great fabric selection. I love the Pom- poms too!

Janice @ Better off Thread said...

It's beautiful! I especially love that pom-pom trim!

Helen M said...

Hello - I love my cushion - I was a bit overwhelmed that Adrianne made it especially for me. I went out and bought 3 yards of the floral fabric too because I love it so much. Might have to make a quilt to go with the cushion. My daughter told Adrianne she could open a shop and could she commission some cushions from her.

Helen

Anonymous said...

I love the quilting on this one.