Materials Required:• ½ yard or 40cm x 112cm fabric for the cushion (I used Lecien Flower Sugar for this project)

• Scrap of fabric for applique shape (I used some medium weight denim)

• Fusible webbing/iron on adhesive for the back of the applique shape

• 1 cushion insert (I chose the smallest size fits up to 36x36cm cover)

• Scrap of ribbon (optional)

Tools Required:• Brother Dreamweaver VM6200D

• Iron

• Pencil

• Scissors

• Pins, needle and thread

Designed by Corrie Sebire of RetromummyRead instructions carefully before starting the project.

Easter Bunny Cushion

Construction:Step 1: Measure up your cushion insert and you want to cut 1 square about the same size as your cushion or just 1 cm bigger on all sides. Using the height of the cushion cut 2 rectangles that are as high as the cushion but not as wide (I cut each about 2/3 as wide as the cushion). They should be the same size as each other and will be used for an easy cushion backing.

Step 2: Take the 2 rectangles and fold back one long edge about 2-3 inches to the wrong side and press with the iron. Using a zig zag or decorative stitch on your machine, sew a straight line down about 1 or 2 inches in from the folded edge. Repeat with the other rectangle. These are your cushion backs and remove the need for zippers or anything fancy for the pillow closure.

Step 5: Now take the square piece of fabric for the cushion front and peel off the paper from the adhesive. Press onto the centre of the right side of the cushion front. Using your iron press over the fabric (following the instructions for the adhesive as iron temperatures and times might vary).

Step 6: Now we are going to use a blanket stitch on your machine to sew around the applique rabbit. On my machine (the Brother Dreamweaver) I use stitch 1-21 which is an overcast stitch. I needed to reverse the stitch so that the straight edge of the blanket stitch is to the right of what I want to applique. It’s super easy and I just press a button to switch the side over.

Step 3: Taking your adhesive of choice and a pencil draw a rabbit onto the paper side/non sticky side of your adhesive. Alternatively you could draw some bunny ears/head of a rabbit. Keep in mind the size of your cushion which is why it’s a good idea to cut the cushion pieces first. Cut around the drawing but not on the drawn line, give an inch or so around the drawing so that you can cut a neater line once the iron on adhesive is on the fabric.

Step 4: Take your iron on adhesive and scrap fabric to the iron and iron the sticky side of the adhesive to the wrong side of your scrap fabric. Wait until its cool and cut around the shape of the rabbit that you have drawn.

Step 7: What I like about this stitch is that you can use the edge of your applique as the guide and it’s a bit forgiving. You want the right of the stitch to be on your cushion front and the left of the stitch is on the applique. I set my machine speed to medium speed – beginners might want to go slow- stop when you get to a corner and lift the presser foot to turn your applique around and start in a new direction. Better to stop and start a few times and take your time for a neater finish. With my machine I can set the presser foot to automatically come up at the end of my stitching which makes turning and starting so easy.

Step 8: Now we thought we were done with the front of the cushion and my girls wanted a ribbon on the ear. So grab a piece of ribbon if you are making a female rabbit and make a little bow and attach with a few stitches and a needle and thread to the ear of the rabbit. Alternatively you could make a pom pom or applique a white round circle to the rabbit as a tail. It’s up to you.

Step 9: Now we are going to assemble the cushion. Take the front cushion piece and have it facing right side up. Take one cushion back piece and with right side facing down place it so that edges match and the folded over edge is towards the centre of the cushion. Take the other piece and place it on the opposite side of the cushion front and so that the folded edge overlaps the other folded over edge. Pin with all of your pins going in one direction around the entire edge of your cushion.

Step 10: Take to your machine and with a ½ inch seam or your usual seam allowance sew all the way around the cushion. Zig zag or overlock your edges so that you can wash the cushion cover without fraying.

Step 11: Trim the corners with scissors which helps you have neat corners when you turn it out. Turn right side out and put on your cushion insert and admire one super cute little bunny cushion!

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