stitch inside the fl ower petals in the
same thread to make them look more
solid. The Dark Salmon (3328) fl owers
have Medium Light Topaz (306)
centres and the Medium Olive Green
(280) fl owers have Medium Avocado
(267) centres.17
Centre one of the green print
rectangles over the design
printed on the Pattern Sheet and trace
the rectangle and scallops with the
erasable pen. Putting a light source
such as a lightbox behind the design
makes it easier to see through the fabric.18
Using three strands of Medium
Ecru (388), work Palestrina stitch
around the rectangle and scallops.
Remove any visible pen marks.19
Lay the other green print
rectangle face down on the
table and centre the rectangle of
batting on top. Match the
embroidered rectangle, right side
facing up, over the batting with all
the raw edges aligned and pin the
layers together. Pin the embroidered
felt rectangle inside the Palestrina-stitch rectangle and whipstitch it
in place through all the layers using
matching machine-sewing thread.Assembly
20
On one edge of each of the
911 ⁄ 2 in cushion-back squares,
press under^3 ⁄ 4 in and then 1in to
make a double-fold hem. If using
a directional print, make sure that
the back opening will be vertical.
Machine stitch the hems in place.21
Lay out the two hemmed
squares side by side. (If using
a directional print, check that they
are both facing the right way up.)
Centre the hook (rough) length of
Velcro on the outside of one hem and
centre the loop (soft) length of Velcro
on the inside of the other hem. Pin
them both in place and check that
when they are fastened, the two
rectangles of fabric will both be
facing right side up and that their
upper and lower edges align.
Machine stitch the tapes in place
securely. See Diagram 1. Thefastened cushion back should
measure 9^1 ⁄ 2 x14^1 ⁄ 2 in.22
Lay the cushion front, right
side down, on the table. Lay
the fastened cushion back on top,
right side facing up, raw edges
aligned and with the openingDiagram 1VAL LAIRD
What’s your idea of the perfect stitching
day? My perfect stitching day would begin
with an early rise (it’s no good having a short
day!), a walk with my husband through the
rainforest and along the beach, followed by
a leisurely breakfast. Then, it’s into the studio
to spend all morning on the sewing machine,
constructing a bag, a wallhanging or a
stitching accessory. The afternoon would
be spent on preparation for my eagerly
anticipated evening of hand stitching. After
a baked chicken dinner, you will find me curled
up in the family room, watching one of my
favourite detective shows, with needle and
thread in my hand and contentment in my soul.Where do you like to do your work – in
a studio, in the garden, in an armchair? m I’
blessed to have a dedicated studio for my
sewing, with everything at my fingertips, but
after the evening meal, my favourite place for
my hand stitching is my recliner, which is so
relaxing. I used to enjoy an afternoon sitting
under a shady tree on the waterfront, with
needle and thread, until I inadvertently sat
under a white-faced heron’s flimsy nest and
was the recipient of the nestling’s droppings- all over me and my needlework.
How would you describe your stitching
style? I’ve been an incurable romantic all my
life, and this is reflected in so many of my
designs. I love making beautiful things, but
I’m a very practical person, too, so I like to
make projects that are useful. Pretty and
practical probably sums it up.
Do you have a very large stitching repertoire?
I get bored fairly quickly, so I like variety and,
therefore, spread my interests fairly wide. You
will find plenty of wallhangings, bags, cushions,
table runners, stitching accessories and
children’s projects in my collection.
Is there any little annoyance that drives you
nuts when you’re busy stitching? (Dropped
pins? Jamming machine? Interruptions?)
I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten
to reverse the pattern when preparing fusible
web appliqué pieces – most annoying!
Are you good at all the crafts you’ve tried?
Well, you wouldn’t want to see my attempts at
painting a picture! I’ve conquered a fair
few techniques over the years – découpage,
tatting, bobbin lace, crochet, pergamano,
hardanger and candlewicking, to name a
few – but the paintbrush has me beaten.
What sorts of crafts do you avoid like the
plague? Papercrafts and scrapbooking.
Other than crafting, how do you like to
spend your time? My husband and I are avid
birdwatchers, so when I’m not crafting, you’ll
probably find me out in the wonderful
Australian bush, searching for the beautiful
birds we have in abundance.
Is your stitching a great diversion from
tasks you’d prefer to avoid (eg: housework)?
I try to be very disciplined and not allow
myself to do any stitching until the necessary
jobs are done. I was raised on the adage,
“Work first, play second”, so it was ingrained
into my life from an early age. I have to admit
that stitching is so much more enjoyable,
knowing that I don’t have things like
housework hanging over my head waiting
to be done, so I’m rather thankful for my
strict upbringing.
If you were stuck on a desert island, with
just one of each of the following, what would
you want them to be?- Piece of music – Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture
- Movie – August Rush
- Book – The Bible
- Sewing project – A stitchery with lots of
hand stitching
Gett ing to know ...
9½in14½inHomespun 57