Wednesday 26 September 2012

Redesigning cushions

I've had these four small cushions lying around for several years, I bought them from that large Swedish furniture store quite cheaply, intending to make covers for them. You know how it is, you get an idea, and what starts off as good intentions sometimes fizzles out as time passes by, and projects get pushed to one side. Now it's time to do something with them. I don't actually need or want four small cushions, but what I could do with is a large cushion which can be used as a cat bed. Might as well make something usefull with them.  
So I opened them up on two sides and removed the stuffing, then stitched them together, and restuffed them making one big cushion.
I thought about using smaller pieces of fabric and making a patchwork cover, I have some samples which would do the job just fine. But I thought I could make it easier for myself and get the job done quicker, by finding two large pieces and sewing them together. I bought a cotton dress from a car boot sale some time ago, the lady was selling five items of clothing for £1, in aid of her Rabbit Rescue she runs. The dress had a flared skirt so quite a lot of fabric in it. I have already used the bodice from it for other projects.
It's not ready yet Mayze, are you trying it out for size, ha ha.
I save all the zips from clothing I cut up, you never know when they might come in usefull. I found a long dark blue one which fits perfectly.
That's it, finished, now who's going to try it first. Aha, Heidi is on it straight away.
This is lovely mum, I claim it as my new bed. Thanks.
That's one job I can cross of my list. I must get a bit more organised and start using up my stash of fabric. I've enough to keep me going all winter. Now what shall I make next.

24 comments:

  1. Lovely project! Instant gratification at no cost, WTG!

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  2. Love your ingenuity
    Brenda in the Boro

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  3. What a clever idea, a great use for four small farty cushions (as Hubs would say, - he can't stand beds and sofas littered with them).
    That tartan dress makes an excellent cushion cover. Can't wait to see your other projects.

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  4. I love your makeovers and sewing projects :-)

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  5. What shall you make next? I think you'd better make another cat bed...that one's taken!!
    Jane x

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  6. I agree with Jane another cat bed, it looks like they'll be a queue for that one. A brilliant way to use up four small cushions.

    You've obviously got your creative head on since your walk had to be abandoned!!

    Sue xx

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  7. That looks great! :) The boyfriend has some old shirts he doesn't want anymore (he's training to be an architecht and has splashed ink stains all over them). I am wondering what I can make with them. I was thinking about cushion covers because I saw something similar in possibly the same Swedish furniture shop you mentioned. ;) What would you make?

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    Replies
    1. If you soak the shirts in milk or use hairspray on them all the ink stains will come out

      Midlands annie

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  8. You must make a list of how much you have saved my your ingenuity as you seem to be having a creative week - cannot wait to see what you do next.x

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  9. I've just caught up... yesterdays blog on re using the brolly cover. You really are the sweetest person, Rocky looks so loved, at last.
    Gives you some hope for the human race.
    Regards
    Cat Lover

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  10. Clever clogs. The puss looks very comfortable.

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  11. That's fab. Re yesterday's post, I love the waterproof. I'd love to recover an umbrella and will try to do it.

    I made a dog coat for my friend's little Norfolk terrier out of a bit of waterproof fabric, backed by a tartan scarf from a charity shop. There was a label on with a Scottie dog on, which I unpicked and sewed on, just like a designer label! The significance of the Scottie is that her previous dog that had to be put to sleep was a black Scottie and so it was a little bit of sentiment for her.

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  12. You are full of such great ideas:) It looks so comfy, no wonder the cats love it♥ xxx

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  13. I think you sew beautifully! Can't wait to see what you make from the rest of the umbrella!!

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  14. Heidi looks very content on the new pillow. What a good idea.

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  15. Sometimes I wish I was creative with a sewing machine. I wouldn't know where to start really. Even removing a zip out of old clothes makes me feel bewildered.

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  16. My sewing machine died - I now have a big decision to make...

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  17. Amazingly creative, love it !
    Mabel

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  18. Good job. I buy clothing for fabric in the skirts. Before anything goes into my rag bag, all zippers and buttons are saved for use later.

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  19. Ilona, that is a great project...now my Brownie wants a cushion too...thanks for posting.

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  20. Hi Ilona I love it!!!!!!!!!! lucky catx regards Jean

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  21. You did a grand job with the pet cushion; Mayze and Heidi will be snug and cosy sitting on it. Will they sit on it together or, do they tussle over it? I was having a look at sewing projects online and I was thinking about a snuggie for yourself if you have any fleecy fabric to hand. I'm not great at sewing and am amazed at the things you run up in an afternoon. Onesies are all the rage just now, all in one pjs, complete with hoods. I'm finding it difficult to think of things as you pretty much have everything covered. Here is the link for the snuggie. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Your-Own-Snuggie/

    Look forward to seeing what you make next, whatever it is. All the best, Christy.

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  22. I have just caught up to the present after reading your blog from the beginning - whew - feels like I was running a race. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading every post Ilona. You are a very entertaining writer. Looking forward to reading more about your wonderful life.

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