I turned my Honey Bunny applique into a small cushion but you could do lots of different things with yours ... like put the design on a library bag or kids tote. It would look very cute on one of my art smocks or if you wanted to make a cushion but wanted one a little larger then you could add some simple borders and adjust the size of the pillow back - ie. increase the length of the side edges by 1/2 of the total measurement that you have increased the cushion by (don't increase the length of the edges where the zip will be fitted!)... does that make sense??? Clear as mud right???
These instructions will show you how to insert a zip and create a flap to cover it ... I am no seamstress by any stretch of the imagination however these instructions will give you a good and neat result.
Last little bits and pieces that you will need if you want to turn yours into a little cushion ....
10" x 13" rectangle of fabric for cushion back
4" pink check for binding
8" zip
Final Steps ...
1. Cut your centre applique panel back to 10" square - make sure you double check your measurements before you cut to avoid tears!
Construct the back ...
2. Cut one 10" x 5 3/4" rectangle from cushion back fabric - top half of cushion back
3. Cut one 10" x 6 1/2" rectangle from cushion back fabric - lower half of cushion back
4. Mark the centre points of one 10" side of each of each cushion back piece & the zip. Lay the lower half of the cushion back out right side up and the zip wrong side up along one 10" side of the lower cushion back matching centre points and raw edges. Pin in place. Using your zipper foot sew along the edge of the zip & fabric as close to the zipper teeth as possible.
5. Lay the zip & fabric flat and press. Sew a row of top stitching close to the fold securing the zip & fabric in place.
6. Lay the top half of the cushion back right side up on a flat surface. Place the other edge of the zip wrong side up along one 10" edge matching center points & raw edges. Pin in place. Sew along the edge of the zip & fabric as close to the zipper teeth as possible.
7. Lay the cushion back flat right side up. Press. Mark 1" up from the fold line that you have just created. Fold along this marked line and take the fold down over the zip creating a flap over the zip. Pin in place - mark the end points of the zip.
8. Beginning at one edge sew close to the fold until you reach the beginning of the zip. Pivot and sew up across the end of the zip until you reach the point just below the top edge of the zip. Pivot again and sew along the length of the zip, securing the flap, stopping at the end of the zip. Pivot and sew back down across the zip end. Finally pivot again and sew back along the final edge close to the fold. Refer below...
9. Lay out the cushion top wrong side up. Place the cushion back on top of the cushion top right side up. Pin in place. Baste in place around the entire edge of the cushion 1/4" from the edge.
10. Cut two 2" strips of binding from the pink check fabric. Join the two sections using a mitered seam. Trim the seam to 1/4" & press open. Press binding strip in half length ways. Pin binding to the right side of the cushion top matching raw edges and leaving a 3" to 4" tail of binding free. Pin in place and sew in place using a 1/4" seam finishing 1/4" from the side edge. Securing your stitching at the start and finish points.
11. Fold the binding back creating a 45 degree fold. Fold binding back over the fold matching raw edges with the next side of the pillow top - refer to the photos below;
12. Sew along the edge continuing in the same manner until you reach the side where you began. Pin the corner & side in place and overlap the start & end points of the binding by 2" and trim to these points.
13. Open out the binding. With right sides together position the first binding edge along the side edge of the tail end of the binding - see below.
14. Mark a 45 degree line as shown below. Sew along line.
15. Open the binding out and ensure that it sits nicely in place. Once you are satisfied trim seam allowance to 1/4" and finger press open. Reposition binding in place along the edge of the pillow and sew in place.
16. Turn the folded binding edge to the back of the pillow top and sew it in place by hand manipulating the corners to sit nicely.
Yay! You're finished!!!!
I hope you have fun making this little cushion! It comes together very quickly and is a great little project to try out your raw edge applique on. Janet emailed me a shot of her version yesterday ... there are no flies on this woman I am telling you!!!! You will find the finished version in the photo album. Janet is also having a giveaway so make sure you take a look!
Ranette has also been busy!
So I guess you guys remember this from my last post ...
Meg's Garden is in issue number 71 of Australian Homespun Magazine ... for those of you who find it difficult to get your hands on this magazine you can order it on line from here and have it sent to you ... and it will be in your hot little hands in no time at all!!!
I always have a lot of people ask me about my sock monkey's. I don't sell these and I wont be making a pattern or doing a tutorial on them ... but this woman does sell them and just between you and me her's are a whole lot nicer than mine!!!!
Talking about amazing women ... check out what what Lynn has been upto ... it is looking great isn't it!!!!! She has also made a great little quilt that you should take a peek at too! Valerie has made a beautiful wall hanging using the Flower Garden pillow applique shapes and there are some new photos form some blogless girls that I will also add to the photo album.
OK I must go ... I have spent way too much time here in my typepad world this past few days. Next week I am going to start some Mother's Day gifts for our school stall and get to work on a quilt for one of the boys that I have been dreaming about for quite some time!
I hope you have had a great Easter and enjoyed the wonderful relaxing family time that comes at this time of the year. I will leave you with one last photo ...
...our kids forgot to leave the Easter Bunny a snack this year ... obviously this really pissed the Easter Bunny off as she pooped on our coffee table!!!!
Have a great week!
Kellie
PS. OK, just one more photo ... of Joshua & his very best friend in the whole wide world ... who were two very cute rainbows in our local festival's parade a couple of weeks ago ...
Hahaha -- looks like your family has had a very good Easter, in spite of the extra little present!
Posted by: thimbleanna | April 13, 2009 at 02:14 AM
Thanks for the link on where to get Homespun - I'll be off to check it out v soon. Joshua and his VBFITWWW look so cute -- Happy Easter to all of you too :-)
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | April 13, 2009 at 02:43 AM
Wonderful little cushion! Thank you for sharing this technique -- I'm dying to try it.
Posted by: Magnolia Bay Quilts | April 13, 2009 at 03:22 AM
Brilliant tutorially advice again Kellie - thank you! A very HAPPY EASTER to you and your lovely family!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | April 13, 2009 at 05:02 AM
What a cute little cushion! Love those rainbows too. The costumes you make for your kids are always fabulous. I am green with envy looking at all that chocolate though...
Posted by: Lisa | April 13, 2009 at 05:59 AM
love the way those flowers look like onthe inside too! Love that rainbow man!!!!! such a smile he has... lights up the whole world!!!
Posted by: upstatelisa | April 13, 2009 at 06:11 AM
Oh,my Go!!!!Ilove your blog.It´s wonderful and you are so generosity !!!!!!I´m your fans!!!
Posted by: Bettina | April 13, 2009 at 06:13 AM
What a fantastic tutorial - I usually use coloured velcro as I feel too overwhelmed by the idea of a zip at that point in cushion making...but I might just try it this way next time.
Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog - and sorry not to have introduced myself before gushing about your work!
Happy Easter x
Posted by: Florence | April 13, 2009 at 06:41 AM
Just love the shagginess of that rabbit!
Posted by: Frogdancer | April 13, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Thanks for the tutorial. Love the pillow. My kids left the Easter bunny chocolate cake:)
Posted by: Maranda | April 13, 2009 at 07:07 AM
You, my dear were under serious discussion at a recent craft get-together at Annies place. It was decided that you are a creative genius - just thought you'd like to know.
Posted by: Jodie | April 13, 2009 at 08:24 AM
So cute!!! Now, I'll need to hit the newsagents for Homespun! Happy Easter, Kellie, and thanks for sharing your talents. :-)
Posted by: Jenny | April 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent on your blog. I am inspired by your free motion applique technique, and can't wait to do more. I did a little on a fabric Post Card I am swapping, and I am really pleased with the result I have posted a photo on my blog linking it back to your blog. Thanks again.
Posted by: Julie | April 13, 2009 at 01:50 PM
Fab tutorial. Especially the zip bits.
I actually think I could do that! Might even try it!!
Andi :-)
Posted by: Andi | April 13, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Thanks for the tutorial, another to try before I throw myself into your wonderful Homespun pattern - hope your family had a lovely Easter - I'm quite sure that bunny poo would make great 'compost' somewhere?
Posted by: Sally | April 13, 2009 at 05:43 PM
Wow! You've been busy. How did you find time to do a tutorial at Easter? Impressive. Love how the Bunny cushion turned out!
Posted by: Shari | April 13, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Thank you for sharing your pattern, the Bunny is absolutely gorgeous. Hugs Jx (if you would like to receive an invite to my blog please return email: julie.manu@xtra.co.nz)
Posted by: julz | April 13, 2009 at 07:27 PM
What a beautiful pattern, thanks for sharing.
I bought the Mag today and had the pleasure of reading your article as my partner teased me about "knowing you" but never met you.... They just don't GET Blogging do they.....
Posted by: Fiona@Dragonfly-Crafts | April 13, 2009 at 07:43 PM
I went out and bought Homespun magazine yesterday just because your pattern was in there :) It is so beautiful, you are very talented!
Posted by: Louise | April 13, 2009 at 09:53 PM
I love that honey bunny! So cute!!! Love the "fuzziness" of the fur.
Posted by: wendy | April 14, 2009 at 02:55 AM
Wow, I can't believe you leave the Aus easter bunny snacks - that's clearly where I've been going wrong all these years in the UK.
I managed to order the Australian Quilters companion from Manor House Magazines here in the UK by the way, they also stock Australian Homespun.http://manorhousemagazines.co.uk/page_1226347611656.html
Happy Easter Kellie & family!
Kim McBirnie xx
Posted by: Kim McBirnie | April 14, 2009 at 03:46 AM
I love all your pillows and the bunny pillow is adorable.
Posted by: Pam | April 14, 2009 at 09:52 AM
these tutorials are amazing! thanks so much for sharing, it's my birthday soon, think i will ask for a sewing machine! i can't wait to get started!
Posted by: Debra | April 14, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Joshua, is a cutie, good to see u had a great Easter
Posted by: Handmaiden | April 15, 2009 at 01:32 AM
Thankyou so much for your time and energy that you give to us so often, you can have no idea how much your work lights up my world, and I am soooo dying to try something of yours - so my very next project will be one ( just have to hide those UFO's that keep being found...)and I am sure my great neices will thank you too! Cheers, Chriss
Posted by: chriss jasper | April 15, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I got my issue of Homespun yesterday and I just wanted to say how much I LOVE Meg's Quilt! It is absolutely divine and so gorgeous!! You're quite the inspiration!
Posted by: Sam | April 15, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Bello, bello, bellissimo!
Posted by: Endy | April 16, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Your work is just amazing - you truly are a genius. Thanks for this tutorial. Hoping for a chance to read my Homespun magazine very soon.
Posted by: Lauren | April 16, 2009 at 11:49 AM
You never cease to amaze me with your super talent, & your seemingly endless energy!'Hugsxx
Posted by: meggie | April 16, 2009 at 06:46 PM
This is the first time I visit your blog and I am absolutely blown away by your cheerful and ever so cute patterns. Why didn't I discover your blog earlier. Be sure to have another fan from now on!
Jossie
Posted by: Cybele's patch | April 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Joshua's rainbow pic is adorable!! I love your bunny applqiue - is so cute and cheerful! No doubt it will become a treasured Easter decoration.
Posted by: Lisa | April 20, 2009 at 09:25 AM
what a wonderful blog. I cant believe I havent stubbled across it before now. I'll be back!
Posted by: Libby | April 21, 2009 at 08:58 PM
You make it look so easy Kellie! Just got a copy of the magazine and can't wait to try out the tree quilt.
Posted by: soo | April 22, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Hi! I have yet the Australian Quilters Companion with your Rainbow lollipops (part one and two). Comes this morning.I like the cats very much.
Posted by: Raquel | April 22, 2009 at 11:04 PM
I got my Homespun mag today, my daughter was thrilled with the free pot holder, lol. Love your work as usual, Meg's Garden is beautiful.
Posted by: Adds xx | April 25, 2009 at 07:21 PM
I love love love your blog, I check it about 100 times a day, I am so glad you updated. I love the new pattern you are doing and can't wait for Oh Christmas Tree! to come in July. I am just learning and you are a huge inspiration. I wish I lived in Australia so I could take a class from you. Will you please come to California???????? Heck I would go anywhere in the States to take a class from you!! Keep the posts coming.
Posted by: Leslie | June 13, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Dear Kellie,
I was never going to subscribe to a magazine again as I have so many until I saw your BEAUTIFUL quilt in Melbourne!!!! So am now getting Homespun, and then........YOU ARE COMING TO HETTIES PATCH, the best quilt shop in Adelaide........I'm in heaven
Margaret Sampson
Posted by: Margaret Sampson | June 18, 2009 at 12:57 PM