A sewing effort

A new learning.... very less of effort but abundance of joy! Out of the blue project.  Another sense of achievement. I am still on vacation. Hira Pacchi, my aunt had also come down.  At age 75, like my mom, she too has all the enthusiasm to learn something new, be it crochet, stitching, cooking etc. Recently, she learnt how to create this cushion. And she was all enthu to teach me how to make it. And she can't stop till a project begun sees its end :)  She ensured to follow up with me that I finish it.... Good for me.  Else, I am at at least 2-3 projects at one go and they linger on for a while........  Look how it sits snugly on the cot. 

Created out of flimsy fabric (polyester types, else, satin kind of material will also do). Just 22 X 60 inches fabric.

Here's how I went about. I first traced on a chart paper of 22  X 60 inches.  Draw a line through the centre at 11inches.  I'll refer to this line as the central line as this divides the 22 inches paper into half. Then mark horizontal lines of 4 inches with a gap of 2 inches throughout. And the horizontal line is 2 inches on either side of the central line line as shown below.  Also draw line at 5 1/2 inches on either side of the central line.  Draw parallel lines at 1 inch distance from this line on either side of the 51/2 inch line and horizontal lines at 1 inch distance between this block. Next  draw diagonal lines joining upper and lower line. Take care to ensure that these diagonal sides on blocks are opposite to each other... ie. complimentary.  A little confusing but the chart below gives an idea how to go about.  

Next, is to stitch along the diagonal lines on both the blocks.. Like this

When completed, the front side looks like this

This is the back side

Next is to complete the central line stitching.  I have missed out on the pics for this.... Sorry.  Let me explain.  On the four inch line,  just stitch a running stitch, pull the thread and knot it. All the lines across.  I used two colours of fabric since I did not have a single 22 X 60 length fabric.  Once done, join across the breadth using running stitch.  So you get a cylindrical shape now to the fabric.  Next, stitch running stitch through the length of the fabric, leaving say 1/2 inch edge and pull the string (use a thick thread here so that you can pull tightly).

For the stuffing, we need synthetic fibre. Approx 250 grams.  Take small swab, Cover a coin with the same, wrap a small square piece of similar fabric, and tightly tie round the same.

Like this.

Insert this blob, using a pencil at the centre of the cushion.  A little difficult because we would also tightly tied the other part.

It looks like this.

Follow the same procedure on the other length, leave a small opening and stuff the fibre first before closing the same with another blob, created as explained above.

Tadahhhhh .... cushion is ready.  Matter of not more than 3 to four hours.  How colourful  a set of such cushions would be!!

Best out of waste paper

To me, school projects provide a quality family time. Look forward to making things with my daughters. The little one had a project of creating something out of waste paper. Here's what we created.

A lamp shade, pen holders, cards, a book marker (checkered one on the top pic) and a paper mat.
Oh! it was fun creating all these.

Best out of waste

It is most satisfying to be creating something new out of waste.  What I have created is called `Gozdi' colloquially in Konkani language. This is a pullover for all seasons.  What makes it more special for me is that, it is made out of my mother's old sarees.  Saree is a traditional Indian garment used by women and is 51/2 meters in length - the most graceful attire though a little cumbersome for some until, one gets used to!  I have used two of them to create this gozdi.  

Oh! it feels wonderful to be sleeping using this `Gozdi'.  Its soft feel, makes me feel as though I am sleeping on Mummy's lap.  Its a wonderful feeling to snuggle up on the bed with my `Gozdi' before drifting into my dreamland.