Practise thread painting and create a summer cushion that elevates the humble dandelion to a piece of fine art

BY DEBBIE VON GRABLER-CROZIER OF THE FOLK ART FACTORY

FIND THE TEMPLATE FOR THIS PROJECT ON PAGE 63

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This versatile project, inspired by the humble dandelion, is a great stash-buster. I will not specify a particular number or brand of stranded cotton thread so that you can use what you have already. I would simply advise opting, when choosing your green shades, to go for those with yellow tones rather than blue. See page 63 for my general colour palette suggestions and adapt and adjust accordingly.

YOU WILL NEED

MATERIALS

• Threads: Greens: dark green, medium green, light green Yellows: orange or very dark yellow, medium yellow, light yellow.

• Fabric: Fat Quarter of linen in a natural shadeFat Quarter floral fabric to complete the back of the cushion. Mine is Chasing Daisies from the Shine On collection by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics 2x 27cm squares of fabric to make the cushion insert.

TOP TIP!

You could also buy a cushion insert and you will need a 24-25cm sq. (depending on how much stuffing it has) cushion in this case. Because they are so easy to make and this is such an odd size, I will show you how to make yours from scratch just in case you cannot find one.

• Interfacing: (My Interfacing is all by Vlieseline.)Fat Quarter G740 fusible interfacing.

TOP TIP!

This is a whisper thin interfacing very similar to thin cheesecloth. It is very helpful to stop the linen from fraying.