How to work the cushion
Cut out all fabrics as requested, following diagrams.
To tea-dye the Calico, boil water and pour a small amount into a container with the tea bag. Leave to infuse then dilute as necessary with boiling water.
Immerse fabric and leave to stew until desired colour. Remove from dye and allow to dry. Steam press using a hot iron.
How to work front centre panel
Note: 1cm seam allowances will be used for seam allowances unless otherwise stated.
Baste the appropriate-sized pieces of cotton batting to the front centre panel and the front side panels using the Sylko thread and large basting stitches.
Mark the centre of the front centre panel by working another line of basting stitches centrally horizontally and vertically. The centre of Diagram 1 is indicated by small black arrows that should correspond to these lines of basting stitches.
Transfer the design by placing dressmakers' carbon paper face down on the right side of Panel then place the design centrally on top face-up, matching arrows with lines of basting stitches. Using a tracing wheel carefully follow the lines of the design. The design is worked using Whipped Running Stitch, Running Stitch, French Knots and Satin Stitch.
Apply Vilene Bondaweb to the reverse of the 10 cm x 6 cm oddments of contrasts A, B and C, following manufacturers' instructions.
Trace the body motifs from Diagram 1 onto paper, cut out then pin onto right side of relevant Contrast A, B and C fabrics. Cut out the fabric pieces, arrange on front centre panel where indicated on Diagram 1 and iron in position.
Following the "Appliqué on Cats" Diagram, embroider the Body Motifs using Straight Stitch, Running Stitch and French Knots.
Using Diagram 1 and Key to Diagram 1, work the outlines of Cats A, B and C using Whipped Running Stitch. Using 359 work the Whiskers in Whipped Running Stitch then the nose in Satin Stitch. Using 225, work the Eyes in Satin Stitch.
Attach the flower brads if desired (you could use small buttons or charms instead).
How to work front side panels
Quilting front side panels - Transfer Diagram 2 onto the main fabric front side panels, matching arrows with basting stitches. With right sides face-up, place Calico Backing underneath front side panels. Baste layers together.
Work Running stitch around inner line of Diamond shapes and Whipped Running Stitch around outer line of Diamond shapes. Working from the reverse and using a large bodkin threaded with Anchor Quilting Wool doubled, stuff the channels made between the 2 rows of Running stitches with Quilting Wool.
Diamond Motifs
Cut the tea-stained Calico into quarters. Transfer the whole Diamond motif onto paper. Cut out around outer edge. Pin onto each piece and cut out.
Trim the paper diamond template to the inner line. With right side face-down and template centrally on top, fold the outer edges of one piece of fabric one at a time over the edge of the paper template and press with steam iron to form seam allowance. Remove template and tack all round seam allowance. Work the other pieces to match.
Using the paw print stamps, decorate the centre of each piece. Press gently on reverse.
Place diamond motifs in position inside inner diamonds of each front side panel and slip-stitch in place. Place cotton batting behind side front panels and baste through all layers. |