Trusty trunk
6. Revive a battered old trunk with a
spectacular patterned lining, then leave
the lid open to showcase it and all your
favourite things stored inside. When
working with a humpback trunk, covering
the interior of the lid can be a bit fiddly,
so clip into the curves and corners of
the fabric so you can mould it into them.
Allowing a little extra around each piece,
cut fabric pieces to fit the measurements
of the inside lid, walls and base of trunk.
Apply Mod Podge to inside of trunk lid.
Position the fabric onto it then, working
from the centre out, use a lint-free cloth to
smooth fabric in place, smoothing any air
bubbles and creases as you go. Trim excess
fabric, then repeat for the walls and base.
Apply a coat of Mod Podge over the glued
fabric and leave to dry overnight with the
lid open. Your trunk is now ready to fill with
your beautiful treasures.
i
, i
■
A V ’.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
2m x 140cm floral fabric (front);
2m x
140cm striped fabric
(back); 2m x 90cm linen fabric
(borders); sewing thread to
match; 3m beaded trim, cut in half
Note: Use 2.5cm allowances
for all seams, unless otherwise
directed in instructions.
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1 Cut a 2m x 1 36cm piece
from each of floral and
striped fabric. Cut
two 2m x 25cm
strips
from
the
border fabric.
STEP 2 With right
sides facing, stitch
1 border strip to
each long side of
floral fabric.
STEP 3 With right
sid e s
facing,
stitch 1 long
It’s a cover-up
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
Assorted patterned cotton fabrics, in
complementary colours (enough to
cover a wall); Mod Podge; 5cm-wide
paintbrush; sharp scissors; square
ruler; dressmaker's chalk; lint-free cloth
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1 Using dressmaker’s chalk
and a square ruler to ensure straight
lines, mark squares and rectangles,
in various sizes, on fabric, then cut
out. Allow for a sufficient number of
squares and rectangles to cover entire
wall, as well as for layering. Lay fabric
pieces on floor and, when you’re
happy with your configuration, take
a photo of it so you can repeat this
arrangement on wall.
STEP 2 Working with 1 fabric piece
at a time, brush back with Mod Podge
before sticking it to wall. Working
from centre out, smooth each piece in
place, smoothing out any air bubbles
and creases as you go. Trim any loose
threads. Repeat until wall is covered
with your pieces. Leave to dry before
sealing the fabric wall with another
coat of Mod Podge.
Role reversal
Finished size: About 198 x 1 50cm
m
side of striped fabric along side of
1 border strip. Repeat for remaining
border strip, leaving a 30cm gap
in middle of seam.
STEP 4 Arrange, then iron this fabric
tube so borders are neatly pressed in
half and appear at each side and on
the front and back of throw.
STEP 5 Matching raw edges and
pinning all layers together, sandwich
bead trim (inserting bead end first)
between open ends of fabric tube.
Stitch open ends of tube closed, being
careful not to catch beads in seam.
STEP 6 Turn throw right side out
through gap. Slip-stitch gap closed.
M ed le y of m aterial
Finished size: About 53 x 47cm
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
For 1 cushion
Six 10 x 48cm strips coordinating
patterned fabrics (front); 54 x 48cm
plain or patterned fabric (back);
matching sewing thread; 2.1m piping
braid, in colour to suit; cushion
insert, to suit; zipper foot, for sewing
machine Notes: All seam allowances
are 6mm. If you prefer, you can stitch
together several smaller rectangles
and squares to create each 10 x
48cm strip. However, you will need to
allow for extra patterned fabric.
HERE’S HOW
STEP 1
With right sides facing
and arranging them in an attractive
order, stitch six 10 x 48cm patterned
fabric strips together, along long
sides. This forms the patchwork front,
measuring 54 x 48cm.
STEP 2 With patchwork front facing
right side up and raw edges even, pin
piping braid around patchwork front.
Using the zipper foot and stitching
close to the piping, sew in place.
STEP 3 With right sides facing, pin
cushion front to back fabric. Using
zipper foot, and stitching close
to piping, stitch front and back
together, leaving an opening for
turning right side out.
STEP 4 Turn cover right side out
and press. Fill with cushion insert and
slip-stitch opening closed.
For shopping details,
see Stockists page
Photography © Spike Powell.
C ou n try H o m e s &
/nter/ors/IPC + Syndication
