Over the past couple of months, I’ve slowly worked away at this cushion cover with my son! We started by choosing a backing fabric – the scientist fabric which ended up being the border print – and from that fabric, pulled prints that matched the colours in the print. I pulled a few different prints from each colour, and he chose which print he wanted to use.
He then sat down and coloured in a sketch layout to draw up a placement plan of the prints while I cut the fabrics. He ended up drawing 2 different plans, so our cushion cover became reversible!
He sat on my lap to help me sew the fronts – he was in charge of the backstitch button and lifting the presser foot as necessary! After that, he lost interest and I finished up the borders and inserting the zip at the bottom. Wanna know a secret? He chose the zip colour at the shop – a dark, forest green. Except it got lost in the sewing room abyss when it came home! So I had to buy another zip, and chose black to blend in (and because the same green wasn’t there anymore), and he hasn’t noticed the difference at all, phew!
I finished it up properly last week while was home sick for 4 days, and it was well-loved during the large amount of sofa time. Now my daughter is begging to make one, so that’s next on the list!
Susie says
It’s a fantastic cushion. I love that he helped with the fabric placement. I hope he is better now?
Alaine says
Love this! I also enjoy sewing with a 5yo (and a 3yo, but usually he just loves the fabric choosing part). The 5yo loves when I let her control the foot pedal. I just put it up on a stool so she can still see the project and help with back-stitching, etc too.
Jeneta says
I LOVE the scientist fabric! I use the same method for selecting prints with my kids too – it’s my way of giving them some freedom but also retaining some control! Except with an improv cushion top. Then I just let them choose whatever fabric scraps they want. After I have removed the ‘uglies’!
Sarah Goer says
Love it! Sorry he was sick, but how special that he had his own new pillow to cuddle with!
Vicki says
What an absolutely wonderful memory. His choices were wonderful.
Angie @ GnomeAngel.com says
Fabulous cushion – he’s got a great eye for colour placement. Can’t wait to see what else he makes. I’m so looking forward to being able to sew with my son.
Carla says
I think we would all benefit from a backstitch-button-pushing helper with such great taste in fabric and design!