Kids Makes

Luscious rose cushion

Create a romantic atmosphere in your bedroom with this luxurious pillow by Mandie Bowman, made with the softest velvets in the most sumptuous of colours

MATERIALS
* 1.90 m of 90 cm wide dark red velvet (2 yd of 36”)
* 1.2 m (1 ½ yd) of 2oz wadding
* Fabric chalk, pencil and paper for marking and templates.

Preparation
1. Cut out 8 velvet rectangles, each 30 x 60 cm (12 x 24”). Cut 8 pieces of wadding 30 cm square (12”).
2. Cut 8 more velvet rectangles, each 15 x 30 cm (6 x 12”). Cut 8 pieces of wadding 15 cm square (6”).
3. For the bud cut a velvet square of 10 cm (4”) and a 20 x 10 cm (8 x 4”) rectangle of velvet.
4. Cut a backing pentagon (five sided) with 15 cm sides (6”)

Making up

1. Fold one of the large velvet rectangles in half right sides together and sew side seams, leaving the ends free. Turn through and stuff with one of the large wadding squares. Stitch ends closed. Repeat for other 7 rectangles.

2. Repeat step 1 for the smaller velvet rectangles.

Rose buds

3.  Take the larger square and lay it flat right side up. Fold under one long edge of the 20 x 10 cm rectangle of velvet and place over bottom left corner of the square, so a triangle of square shows at the corner. Baste in place. Fold the square in half to form a triangle, folding from bottom right up to top left (so the rectangle doubles over also). Sew along the left edge, catching rectangle inside (see diagram).

3. Turn through to right side, tucking the corner bud through the thin rectangle loop. Stuff the bud with a small amount of wadding.

Assembling cushion
4. Assemble the rose by first hand stitching the smaller rectangles to the bud, then the larger petals, spiralling around the bud as you go.

5. Hem edges of the pentagon of velvet by turning edges under 6 mm (1/4”) and machine hemming. Hand stitch the pentagon to the underside of the rose, hiding any unsightly ends and securing the petals in place.

Stockist information

Velvet and all materials used are from Fabric Land. For details of nearest Fabric Land shop or mail order, tel: 01425 461444, or visit: www.fabricland.co.uk.