Cheerful textiles are a simple way to add warmth, comfort and beauty to your home. The new IKEA SY sewing machine makes it easy to express your personal style with home-made decor items. Here live’s Stella Ajao shows you how to get started with a few basic accessories...
Heart cushion
‘This cushion makes the perfect gift for a loved one. Choose fabric in a colour that will match their style and embellish it with ribbons or buttons.’
Step 1: Select your fabric, fold it in half and draw a heart on the reverse of the material.
Step 2: Pin together and cut out.
Step 3: Stitch ribbon on the right side of one bit of material before pinning the two sides. Turn inside out and stitch. Stop sewing 5-6cm before the end and turn the cushion right side out.
Step 4: Insert the cushion filling and finish by hand-stitching the gap closed.
Floral swirl
‘Breathe new life into your cushion covers with this fun design. It’s an easy way to introduce a new accent colour to your room, too.’
Step 1: Cut out a circle from your chosen fabric. With a pencil, start from the centre of the circle and draw a swirl (you will later sew along this line). Put this fabric to one side.
Step 2: Using the remaining fabric, cut out fairly long strips of material and chalk along the centre of each one.
Step 3: Stitching along the chalk guidelines, attach the strips on to your pencil swirl.
Tote bag
‘Can’t find a bag to match your favourite outfit? Why not make your own!’
Step 1: Fold your fabric in half and cut out the size of bag you want. Pin the pieces to each other, with right sides together.
Step 2: Sew three sides on the reverse, leaving the top open, before turning the bag right way out.
Step 3: Make handles by cutting material to desired length of strap. Fold material in half and iron in a crease.
Step 4: Open out the fabric and then fold each outer edge into centre. Fold in half again before stitching along the open edge.
Step 5: Attach handles to bag and admire!
Laundry bag
‘Old pillowcases are perfect for this.’
Step 1: Fold over the top of the open end of the pillowcase by 3cm (fold it outwards so you still have the open end). Sew the flap in place, leaving a 2cm gap for the cord to be threaded through later.
Step 2: Weave your chosen cord, string or ribbon through the channel using a safety pin, until it emerges at the other end.
Step 3: Then pull both ends, even the cord out and tie.
Pin cushion
‘This was so easy to sew! Pick fabric with a shape you like – I love these cute birds. The cushion is perfect for keeping my pins safe while I sew.’
Step 1: Cut out matching shapes on your chosen fabric.
Step 2: Machine sew or hand-stitch around the outside, leaving room to insert stuffing – you can use cushion filling or leftover scraps of material.
Step 3: Once you have inserted the stuffing, finish by hand-stitching the gap closed.
Book cover
‘My journal was really plain – on the outside, at least! I gave it a touch of my personality by covering it with some of my favourite fabric and a ribbon.’
Step 1: Cut enough fabric to cover the book, leaving excess to fold over the edges.
Step 2: Spray the book with adhesive spray and press the fabric on.
Step 3: Cut ribbon to a length that is long enough to wrap around your book and tie in a bow. Glue in place on the back of the book, leaving the rest of the ends free to tie in a bow.
