Ideas wanted for a christmas cushion cover made from felt please

[reastie]

Right, I've got some red, white, green and an allsortment of brightly coloured lurid scraps of felt and I want to make a festive cushion cover this Christmas. Not sure how to lay it out though and in need of ideas - anyone?

My current thinking is a red background, a white felt square sewn on the top with big red stitching around it and then either 'noel' or 'ho ho ho' written in a gingham red and white ribbon on the white felt background. How does this sound? Any more exciting ideas?

bumping

Google 'Christmas cushion' and search under images. Loads of lovely ideas come up.

Not sure if this update might help... have just made a Christmas pud tea and egg cosy set for a Secret Santa...

To make the puddings you just need to trace round a cup or a wine glass, then trim up some fabric for the custard and I used a holly pastry cutter for the leaves. Actually you could look at your pastry cutters for other designs to applique onto your cushions.

latte is that your blog? Love the thing you linked to, plus I'm now eyeing up the applique beach hut cover too . I want to hand sew it and I'm never sure with applique whether I can hand sew along the edges or if it will all just fray away (I'm an enthusiastic notice)

Yes, it is my blog, thanks for the kind comments.

As to the fraying, you can do both... classical quilting applique has the edges turned under and is then slip stitched to give a really neat finish (look at the Kirstie Allsopp link, then you have another form with satin or blanket stitch which also gives a neat edge and finally if you use a running or back stitch, use a double sided interfacing and then the fabric will fray less but give you a Poppy Treffrey freehand embroidery finish.

Hope that helps :)

yes thanks latte . I haven't the patience (or time) for the Kirstie Allsopp turned over effect, so might look into the blanket stitch idea

look on flickr, there are numerous "pillow" (US term for cushion) groups and felt groups with some fab inspiration

Jan constantine does lots of (v. expensive) felt cushions that you can get inspiration from. I got some of her books from the library too. She tells you how to bondaweb felt to felt then stitch around it etc. Has some templates in her books too. Good luck.