Christmas In July Blog Hop And Pattern Parade.
Posted on | July 15, 2020 | 45 Comments
Welcome to the Christmas In July Blog Hop which has been organised by Carole of From My Carolina Home. Each participant is providing a tutorial and many also have give-aways – me included. Huge thanks to Carole for getting this started. Okay, let’s jump into the tutorial.
To those who know my blog it is no surprise that I am going to play with Christmas ribbons. This has been a fascination of mine for many years now. I have made many patterns using them as well a pile of ribbon cushions. So for this hop my tutorial is to show you how to make a ribbon cushion.
They make great displays and wonderful gifts.
I make them in a variety of sizes with a range of ribbons. This one is an 8 inch cushion. I use linen as my base fabric as I like the look. You can choose any fabric as long as it is firm with little or no stretch.For this one a I have used a natural colour.
From the linen cut one square 8 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, two rectangles 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches each. Also cut an 8 1/2 inch square of iron on pelon or a stabiliser. Iron the pelon on to the back of the 8 1/2 inch square.
Time to select the ribbons you wish to use.
IMPORTANT! Many of the decorative ribbons have wire edges. Make sure you remove the wire from both sides before cutting and stitching.
There are so many lovely ribbons available. Select at least 3 or 4 and purchase half a yard/metre of each as a starting point. Use different widths to create variety in the design.
Starting with your first ribbon, place it from corner to corner across the right side of your linen square overlapping the ends of the fabric slightly. Pin into place. Keep the ribbons touching side by side.
Keep adding ribbons along each side but leave some space in the corner with no ribbon to make it easier to turn inside out. Pin heavily as the ribbons tend to move around.
Once you are happy with the layout, start stitching using a thread that works with your ribbons. . I use a small zig zag stitch that can overlap the ribbons that are side by side.I also start next to the centre ribbon and work my way to an edge first, then the other side. This helps keep the ribbons from moving around. The stabiliser under the linen also stops a lot of movement.
This close up gives you an idea of the stitching catching both ribbons.
When the stitching is complete turn the top over. You can easily see the over hang of the ribbons so carefully use your rotary cutter to trim off the excess ribbon back to the square.
Time to put the cushion together. Place the two rectangles of linen right sides together. Stitch 2 inches down from the top using a 1/4 inch seam then stop. Do the same from the bottom. Exactly as the lines are marked in the picture above. Open the backing up and press the seam open.
With right sides together pin the back to the front of the cushion.
Use a quarter inch seam and a small stitch to sew all around the edge of the cushion. I like to round the edges slightly with a couple of stitches going across each corner. See photo above. It makes it easier to give a nice shape to the corners when turning them out. Snip a small amount off each corner after stitching and before turning out also. Turn it right side out and use a tool to help push the corners out gently. Now you know why you did not stitch closed all of the back seam.
This photo looks a bit rough but don’t worry. Pin all the way around the edge of the cushion making sure neither the top or bottom is rolling over or under. This makes it easier to stitch. You need to now top stitch all around the edge of the cushion with a 1/4 inch or 1/8 seam. The size doesn’t matter. Do what works best with your machine.
This is how mine looks after top stitching. I try to round the corners. This is the last opportunity to give your cushion a good press, but take care to adjust the temperature according to your fabric and ribbon type. You do not want to melt the ribbon!
My stitching is not perfect but the cushions are very forgiving and once stuffed it is not noticeable. So onto stuffing.
Take care when stuffing. You do not want it to be lumpy. Use small amounts to fill the corners first. Then add small amounts around the edges. Then small amounts to fill the centre. If you use large amounts it becomes lumpy and does not fill all the spaces. I fill mine quite lightly, just enough to hold the shape. Definitely not a hard cushion. When you are happy with the result carefully whip stitch the opening closed with small stitches.
This is the end result. I hope you are happy with the ribbon cushion you have made.
There are many ways to make these. I have placed the ribbons vertically instead of diagonally. I have also made different sizes such as the ones in the cushion stack at the start. They are 6inch, 8 inch and 10 inch. Just remember to add the half inch seam allowance to whatever size you choose.
I also enjoy playing with a variety of colours in the ribbons and the fabrics.
They do not have to be Christmas themed either. I can imagine making some in colours to suit the theme of a bedroom or family room.
What about a small one as a pin cushion?
Just a word of warning. It can become addictive. Each of these nine tubs is full of ribbons.
Moving on to the give-away. I have several Christmas patterns using ribbons. I am happy to send the winner a pattern of their choice. If you would like to go into the competition just add the name of the pattern to your comment. And if you do not want to win a pattern just leave an ordinary comment. Too easy! I look forward to reading your comments and would love to see any cushions you make.
These are the patterns to select from for the give away – Tree, Santa, Snowmates or Angel. They are small wall hangings.
Thanks for lasting the distance through the tutorial. There are quite a few blogs participating in the Christmas In July Hop so it is worth a visit to see their pattern tutorials and give aways too. And once again a big thank you to Carole for bringing all of us together.
Table Toppers, Home and Kitchen
Inquiring Quilter
Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Cooking Up Quilts
The Quilted Diary
Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Morning Glory Designs
Scrapdash
Days Filled With Joy
Small Projects
Geeky Bobbin
Sunburnt Quilts
Tamarinis
Tuning My Heart Quilts
Prairie Sewn Studios
Puppy Girl Designs
Ladybug Buzz
Dragonfly’s Quilting Design
Traditional and Modern Quilt Patterns
Ms P Designs USA
Quilt 2 End ALZ
Patti’s Patchwork
Cotton Street Commons
Brown Bird Designs
From My Carolina Home
Cheers, Karen
NB. GIVE AWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
45 Responses to Christmas In July Blog Hop And Pattern Parade.
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I love your ribbon patterns. Thank you for the beautiful cushion pattern. I would love the Santa ribbon pattern.
This is such a fun way to use ribbon. Thanks for sharing all of these ideas!! I don’t have a lot of ribbon except for a batch that I bought in China and a few from Turkey. Now you have me thinking about ways to use them!!!
all of the patterns are amazing; I can understand going crazy over ribbons……I would love the snowman pattern.
Thank you for opening up a whole new obsession for me….TRIMS!! I’m definitely going to be keeping an eye out for trims from now on.
Good morning. Just stumbled on to the Blog Hop and was so pleasently surprised to see a great use for ribbon. Loved your tutorial and look forward to pulling out some ribbon and putting it to use. Thanks for sharing. Absolutely love the santa pattern. All of them are so creative.
Thank you for your cute idea. It’s a great way to showcase some beautiful ribbon.
I really like your project and am thinking that it could be made in any size, depending on the width of your ribbon. I’m thinking in terms of a pincushion size, just for the fun of it. Thank you for inviting us over for a visit and for taking part in a fun hop. (oh, and I love the snowmen!).
I really like your project and am thinking that it could be made in any size, depending on the width of your ribbon. I’m thinking in terms of a pincushion size, just for the fun of it. Thank you for inviting us over for a visit and for taking part in a fun hop. (oh, and I love the snowmen!).
I’ve never played with ribbon, but I’ve sure seen some pretty spools that have tempted me. Love your projects!
Fun pillows! They are super cute.
Thank you for showing your ribbon cushions! I really like the ribbon tree, but all of them are delightful.
I have several Christmas ribbons and this would be a great project. Thank you.
I would love to win Snowmates. I love snowmen.
You are so creative to use ribbons in this way! They certainly make lovely cushions and other small projects. I’d love to make a few tree ribbon projects this holiday season!
duchick at gmail dot com
Those Christmas patterns are adorable. I guess I would like the snowmen best. I will also be looking for Christmas ribbons now. Thanks for your ideas.
The giveaway patterns are all very sweet. I think I would choose the snowman pattern. Guess I will be looking for ribbons now too.
What a fun way to use ribbon! I can see how quickly these could become addicting to make!
Cute idea, using ribbons. I would love to win the Santa wall hanging; all are adorable.
I love your ribbon creations and the new pillow is great… I think your choice of ribbons really make them too – you have some lovely ones. I love all your patterns but I think the angel is my favourite… a bit quirky…
Hugz
What a clever use for ribbons – love your patterns!
Fantastic cushion! I have a thing for ribbons too. They’re just so cool! I would love your Christmas Tree pattern too. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
I love your ornament ribbon pieces!! I will start looking for Christmas ribbon now, do you have a good place to order online? I love the Santa pattern but they are all wonderful.
Your ribbon cushions are just delightful Karen! And what a stash of ribbons you have! I love the simplicity of the Christmas Tree pattern I think.
What lovely projects and what a great use for all those adorable ribbons. Thank you for sharing!I’m loving seeing all the lovely patterns in the bloghop.
Mind blown! So positively adorable – never see this in a store. And great way to use up all the ribbons I have lovingly stashed! Thanks!
Well I’ll be darned! I would have never thought of using ribbon this way. I love the ribbon pillows! Aaaannnnd, I love all the patterns…so hard to “choose” just one but I say the Tree.
Thanks Karen for a chance at the give-away.
What a wonderful idea using the ribbon. I would have never thought of that! Thank you. My favorite pattern would be the snowman or Santa, U can’t decide. If I win, you pick your favorite if the two! Thank you for the giveaway!
Wow, nine tubs of ribbons! You are keen. Thanks for the great tutorial and the offer of one of your delightful patterns. Mmm, which one do I love the best? The Christmas tree!
Cute idea. Thanks for the tutorial. I would love to win the Tree pattern.
Love the use of ribbon on the figures. Just darling
Love your ideas! And I love the Santa!
What adorable cushions! With ribbons – so sweet! Thank you for the tutorial! I love the Santa pattern the most! Thank you!
I love ribbon pillows!! This one is so cute. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve never thought to use ribbons before. Really love the Santa pattern
I had never thought of using ribbons this way. I really want to try it now. I appreciate your tutorial, too. I like all your patterns, but the tree is my favorite.
What a fun tutorial. Thank you. I just have one shoebox full of ribbons. :) Your patterns are so cute but my favourite is the Snowmates. Thanks for the chance to win.
What a creative use of ribbons. I can see myself with boxes of them in my future,lol. The cushions are so pretty and look like a great way to get started experimenting. Thanks for sharing-oh, and the tree pattern would be my choice,
Cute idea! Snowmates!
You are the Queen of ribbons that’s for sure! I love your ribbon creations! I’m excited to see you in a blog hop. Hope there will me many more.
Excellent, look how much ribbon you have!! Tou wouldn’t happen to have any dragonfly ribbon?
Very pretty!
You are the queen of ribbon! These are all just gorgeous! I’m excited to see you in a blogbhop
Oh, my, I have tubs of ribbons!! What a great pillow project! Thank you for being a part of the Christmas in July Pattern Parade.
Very cute.
Angel
EEk! Your ribbons and pile of pillows are adorable, Karen!!!
Hi Karen oh I love these cushions they look so effective with the different ribbons and Thankyou for the detailed tutorial, and I would love the Santa fingers crossed . Stay safe and take care xx