Wednesday 11 December 2013

Seagull Cushion...

Seagull Cushion ~ Threading My Way

I'm thrilled with my latest cushion!!! It's just perfect for someone who lives near the beach. I made the seagull cushion as a Christmas present, but I'm oh, so tempted to keep it for myself. I don't live anywhere near the beach, but I still think it looks great sitting on my lounge.


I first saw the Seagull cushion over at Celtic Thistle Stitches and loved it straight away. When Fiona realised she had accidentally purchased the cushion pattern twice, she kindly sent me the spare copy. Thanks, Fiona!


The pattern suggests using temporary adhesive spray and felt for the appliqué, but I've gone with double sided fusible webbing and quilting fabric.

I've backed the front of the cushion with thin batting (wadding) and a layer of calico behind and have sewn the scribbly lines through all layers. I"m not sure if this is classed as quilting, but I'll go with that??? As I was using batting and quilting, I should have cut the front layers larger than the finished size and just trimmed them to size, but I didn't. Consequently, the front ended up not quite a square and the cushion is a little fuller than it perhaps should be. I don't think it really matters, but hopefully I'll remember next time.


For the back of the cushion, I've just used the blue, striped quilting cotton and calico. The back closes with a simple envelope closure.

This is my second cushion using uneven, scribbly lines of stitching on an appliqué. The first was my Holiday Memories cushion and I really like the effect!


I just have to show you a close up of those skinny little legs. I wondered how they'd turn out, being so thin, but they were no problem at all.

As I didn't have a temporary fabric marker, I made very light marks for the points of the feathers, with a lead pencil. Looking back at the pattern, I've missed a feather, but you wouldn't know unless I told you.


Initially, I wasn't going to blog about the Seagull cushion until after Christmas, but I just can't wait. I think I'm pretty safe, as I don't think the recipient reads my blog on a regular basis. I won't be showing it on Facebook, though. 

One more item crossed off the list, but still a lot to go.

... Pam

38 comments:

  1. It's lovely. You did a great job. I made some potholders that had wonky stitching and I found it more difficult to do than strait stitching. LOLLL

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  2. I love this!!! Reminds me of when I was a kid. We used to have a resort and fed the seagulls bread at the dock. Your cushion looks fabulous. I like to do applique and am going to give that thread sketching a try one of these days!

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  3. Heehee a seagull pillow - that's just too cute! I want to feed him a french fry, lol!

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  4. Looks great. I'm a bit scared of seagulls in real life, but I really like them in cushion form!

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    1. Thanks, Suzie. I'm OK if they keep their distance, but they get quite game if you're eating in front of them.

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  5. If your seagull gets homesick for salt water he can come live with me. I live near the beach. Love him!

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  6. "Mine! MIne!" - quoting one of LM"s fave movies ;) It looks super Pam!

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  7. He's fabulous Pam ! Maybe you you need to start a flock of seagulls :)

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  8. This is so cute! It would be hard to give this away for sure!

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  9. That's cool! Love it! I live near the beach (not), pick me, pick me, haha!

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  10. I'd be hard pressed to give this one away too.;) This is an awesome cushion...I love the seagull and the bunting! Perfect for a home near the beach or for a person who loves the beach. You do such a great job with the free hand applique/quilting (don't know which is right!).

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  11. Love, love your cushion you did a lovely job...Merry Xmas from NZ!

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  12. That cushion is awesome! I love the beach theme and fun colors! And the black sketchy stitching is so cool!

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  13. He is the cutest thing! Thanks for sharing the process...you've done an amazing job! Just can't say how sweet he is!

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  14. Pam, this is really adorable! I love the dark stitching you did around the flags, and seagull! It really makes it stand out!

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  15. This pillow is just way too cute!

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  16. What a cute cushion. And I think it would fit in any decor because it is so cute and cheerful.

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  17. How cute! I love the thread play, you did a great job on the details!

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  18. I'm Ba-a-a-ck! This cushion is just too cute! I still have to try this applique thread sketchy technique. Thanks for the inspiration! And for linking up to the Let's Bee Social party!

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  19. It looks great! We're living in Perth and are expecting another baby. I'd like to create a beach theme nursery for him or her. This cushion would be perfect!

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  20. Cute! I love all the dark stitching.

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  21. What a precious pillow and it looks just like the seagulls we have here on the river! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  22. So super cute, that applique is perfection! Thanks for linking up to Create LInk Inspire! Emily

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  23. That is just adorable!!! And I live in land-locked Tennessee, but we have lots of beach-y things in our house, just to remind us of one of our favorite places - so I say bring it on!! Whoop whoop for a great finish!!

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  24. This is just too cute! I love the sketchy stitching around the seagull and the bunting!

    Thanks for partying at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  25. This brings back funny memories of the first time we ever saw seagulls. I like the flags across the top too. Your top stitching is inspiring. I want to try it.

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  26. Super cute and very beautiful cushion
    Wonderful job!!

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  27. You did a great job here, love it :) thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays,,,

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    1. Thanks again for sharing at Creative Mondays, pinning and featuring your seagull cushion at the hop this week :)

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  28. Love this. The bunting adds such a fun, seaside touch!

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  29. Love this, esp with the added touch of the bunting! Found you via Tip me Tues, and following you for future loveliness. :D cheers!

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  30. It's time for the recipient to post just how much she loves her seagull cushion. It sits on my perfectly matched blue lounge (identical colour - how did you manage that, Pam?) and looks out at its friends on the beach over the road. I love, love love it so much and it was my favourite Christmas present by far. Everyone loves it. I have an awesome sister!

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  31. Pam what a great seagull! I like the little flags on it too. Thank you so much for linking up on my new link party too. Whew, I'm so glad it works, lol!!!

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