Sew a square cushion

1 Wash and colour white cotton fabric with turquoise dye. Make a 25cm square a darker hue by leaving it in the dye bath longer. Dry and press the fabric. Cut out a 42cm square cushion front, and two rectangles measuring 27cm x 42cm and 35cm x 42cm for the back. Hem one short end of each rectangle, giving the larger one a 2cm double hem and the other a 3cm single hem.

2 Use a stencil and white fabric paint to create nine snowflake designs on the darker turquoise fabric, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When dry, cut a piece of fusible webbing and press onto the reverse of the motifs with a hot iron. This will fix the fabric paint.

3 Cut around each of the motifs, peel away the backing paper and place them on the square cushion front in a three by three formation. Press to adhere them to the fabric. Machine stitch in white thread three times around the appliqué shape.

4 Place the cushion front right side up, then lay the larger back panel on top, followed by the smaller one, making sure the hems are facing each other. Pin in place and machine stitch around the edge with a 1cm seam allowance. Turn out, and sew a red pom pom to each corner.

5 Cut two 42cm squares from white lining fabric. Pin and machine stitch together, leaving a gap for stuffing. Turn out and stuff until plump, then stitch up the opening. Place inside the cushion cover.

Make a rectangular cushion