the red room

For the last year I have been making cushions from an incredibly simple pattern which I will eventually post to this blog once I draw it up. If you can sew a straight line and measure correctly (measure twice, cut once!) then you can make this cushion. I have been taking different fabrics (such as upcycled 1970s curtains or kimono fabric) and combining them with vintage New Zealand wool blankets in oranges, pinks, greens and grey. These types of cushions are pretty popular at the moment and you can find them in most craft-friendly gift stores (I think it is because each one is snuggly and unique). A month ago I made my partner a pair of Tiananmen Square inspired cushions, one with a tank and the other with the man holding his shopping who stopped the procession of tanks in Tiananmen Square. Last week I bought two very smart orange checked blankets and I am going to make some cushions and attempt to sell them. For the designs I have drawn up a robot, a diamond, my tank and a big blooming flower. These seem like designs that are slightly out of the ordinary (apart from the flower) but I can really do any sort of design a customer would want. This is really a labour of love (as most craft is) but I need to start selling some of my wares to finance future experiments with new fabrics and designs. This Christmas I am going to make packets of handmade decorations in both paper and fabric which I hope to sell as well. How much I should charge for these goodies is still a mystery to me because the prices I find online are quite diverse. But that is something I presume I will learn with time once I figure out my costs in time and materials. Mostly I would just be happy if other people enjoyed my crafting. Wish me luck.