My niece's first sewing project

I was so excited to hear that niece number 2 received a sewing machine for Christmas. She's just turned 11 and clearly has inherited my family's creative streak.

So I popped back home to the Northern Beaches this morning and spent a lovely couple of hours with her. She's a smart little cookie and I'm thrilled to say that she completed her first sewing project - this very huggable cushion.

Did I mention that this was the first time she ever used a sewing machine!

I pre-cut the fabric to save time but made about 4 times what was needed to give her lots of choices.  Do you like the colours she chose?

Here are the measurements to make a 50 cm x 50 cm cushion (using a 1 cm seam allowance).

• Cut 1 piece = 52 cm x 52 cm (for the back of the cushion)
• Cut 2 pieces = 17 cm x 52 cm (for the left and right sides)
• Cut 3 pieces = 12 cm x 22 cm (the thick centre strips)
• Cut 4 pieces = 7 cm x 22 cm (the thin centre strips)
• You will also need a Size 20 cushion insert.

 

• Join the centre strips in any order you like. (We alternated thin and thick.)  Press the seams.
• Join the left, centre and right strips. Press. 
• Sew the front to the back (with right sides together), leaving an opening.

• Turn right side out and put in the cushion insert. 
• Hand-sew the opening closed. 

Except for the hand-sewing, my niece made the whole cushion herself! She is clearly a problem-solver and likes to work things out for herself.  I am so pleased.