Simple Jelly Roll Cushions

One of my favourite blogs is the hugely popular Very Berry Handmade.

Ever since Ali posted her Liberty Wallflower Cushion Tutorial back in April I've been meaning to give it a go and over the summer I finally got round to it.

Two of the cushion covers on my sofa had been looking decidedly worse for wear. With this in mind, last year I bought a "Jelly Roll" from eBay consisting of a mishmash of fabric in gorgeous berry colours and I had been keeping a eye out for the right pattern.

The "Wallflower Cushion" uses rectangles that are 6" x 3.25" but in order to use my jelly roll I made mine 6" x 2.5".
 

Using his pattern you sew each row of blocks directly onto the wadding and backing fabric, plus there are no seams to match so it comes together really quickly.

 

A quick envelope back using neutral linen and a contrasting stripe.

 

 

Voila!  Two spruced up cushions.

Thank you Ali!

Shropshire through the eyes of a crafter

I've just returned from a soggy yet welcome break in the gorgeous county of Shropshire.

The draw of the Cotswolds or my enthusiasm to get to Wales has meant I'd previously overlooked this county, but that is now rectified and I can highly recommend the Church Stretton area.

A week away from my sewing machine but inspiration was aplenty.

Part of our trip included a visit to Blists Hill, a recreated Victorian Town. It is just one of the ten Ironbridge Gorge Museums.

This vintage sign caught my eye on the side door to the General Drapers and Outfitters.

Shop window at the General Drapers and Outfitters

Another gem was the unexpected discovery of "yarn-bombed" Bishops Castle. Knitted creations decorate street furniture in Bishops Castle and were made by members of the local KnitWits group, as part of the 2012 Bishops Castle Arts Festival. Check out a local news report here.

A trip to Shrewsbury afforded the opportunity to visit the fabric and haberdashery gem that is Watson and Thornton.
The shop is huge, in particualar the haberdashery department and I could have happily browsed all afternoon. However, I had the family in tow so I had to settle for a new rotary blade and a few new Christmas ribbons from the multitude on offer.
But, I do plan to make use of their online shop, at minimum, for their competitively priced replacement rotary blades.

Some gusty walks blew away the Halloween cobwebs and the inclement weather meant we witnessed some incredbily vivid rainbows during our stay.

Walking up on The Long Mynd

Snapped from the car window

Shoprshire. I will return. x