Birthday Cushions

Another birthday, another cute sewing project!

Last year I was inspired by a blog post I had seen (I could not remember which one) to make cushions as gifts for children's birthday.   The ones I have given already have been well liked by the kids, and much appreciated by the moms.

Here's the most recent one, finished just in time for a birthday party tomorrow:

The idea of embroidering the name, rather than doing my usual appliqué, was stolen from inspired by Lucy at Charm About You.  I printed the name on paper in a font I liked and used this paper to trace the letters.  The embroidery took no time at all as it is a project so small I can tuck it in my purse and take out when I have even a very short moment.  Unlike hand quilting, you don't need a big chunk of time.  This was literally embroidered in just a few 5 minutes increments!

Thanks to the colour scheme and the prints, the result is a little more "grown-up" looking than I would have liked for an 8 year old, but I went with the colours of the birthday boy's bedroom - cream and red - and the contents of my scrap basket.  I am very happy with my efforts!

Here are a few other cushions I have made in the last year:

 

These were all raw edge appliqué.  I could have sworn the blogger from whom I got the idea had used appliqué...  Until I found this post by Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilt, which I now recognize as being the post that gave me the idea first... And the name's embroidered!

Well, I like both techniques, and I am pretty sure I will use both of those again.  I stocked up on pillow forms last time they were on sale, so I am ready for birthday parties invitations!

Here is one more I made:

I love that this project is easily adapted for all sizes or whatever scraps you have on hand, and is appropriate for kids (and grown ups!) of any age.

Do you have a go-to gift?

Linking up to TGIFF at Quilt Matters, and Finish Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilt.