Applique Flower Cushion in Blues

Today I decided to make something for myself.  It's been a while since I had the time (or energy) to just make something for fun.  So I thought I'd make a cushion.  Here's the cushion pad, not really what you need to see but better for the big reveal photo at the end of the finished cushion !!

I thought I'd share with you the thought process that goes into designing and making a Ruby Patch cushion.  The first step for this particular project was my new fabric from Ikea.

Their fabric sells at such good prices it is a shame not to buy some when you visit.  They tend to specialise in bold, colourful prints which are great for adding interest to the back of my cushions.  Today I chose the left fabric which is a botanical print in a very dark navy blue.

So now I had the back of the cushion sorted, I wanted to choose a design for the front that complemented it.  As a fully qualified list maker, I always find that my ideas work better if I write them down.  This was the result.

Birds and butterflies were my initial idea but they were swiftly replaced by flowers.  I don't usually do flowers so it was a nice change.  Before finalising the design I got the fabrics out to decide which ones to use.

Although the yellows really appealed, I decided to go with blues and stay monochrome.  The flowers were cut out of different blue cottons (including some denim from an old pair of jeans) and attached using bondaweb.  The design was then outlined and highlighted using free motion embroidery and here is the result.

Job done. x

New Products

The last couple of months have been quite eventful in the world of Ruby Patch.  I have had to take a lot of time off from sewing due to a particularly nasty stomach virus which was a real blast.  Nausea is really not conducive to creativity.  So the great plans I had for developing new products were badly delayed.

I have felt a lot better in the last week or two and consequently productivity has increased.  In addition, I was invited to become an artisan on Make the Most of, a site which supports the sale of hand made, artisan and designer products.  All in all, I am feeling really positive about developing the business.

The first new products I have been working on are storage boxes and bowls.  Using recycled denim and cotton, I tried a square and round bowl to see which would be quickest to make.  The two trial runs were successful with the square shape being quicker to put together but this one used a lot more fabric.  The bowl with the circular base was quite attractive but fiddly to put together.

After buying some lovely new linens and cotton linings, my next attempt was a square box with handles.  This was quite successful but still used a lot of fabric and interfacing.

I then went onto bowls with circular bases.  I have make three of these and they were all successful.  There were lovely to make until it was time to add the bases.  This became more tedious the more I did.  I am still undecided whether to continue making these as I may end up rushing them in frustration and spoiling the finish.  I cannot see my patience improving if I know I have to make a number of these!

Anyway, here are the three that I made.