Patriotic Patchwork

Even after  three decades, nothing presents a more irresistible challenge than  having a child announce "My mum could make that!" ( I suppose I really mean 'one of the offspring' not 'a child' any more.) I find myself at least appraising the object of this pronouncement to consider how it could be done. I think it is safe to say that with further prompting I can be persuaded to see if I have the materials and means and from there it is a small step to actually embarking on the process. And so that is how I found myself making a Union Jack cushion cover, in spite of the shops being awash with them at the moment. Of course the one I made would have to be a little different, handcrafted -otherwise what would be the point. The other given is that it would be made on a UseStuffIAreadyHave basis sourced largely from my stash of sewing and craft materials so it would also further my aim to reduce said stash.
 Unlike most of my sewing, knitting and crochet projects lately I realised from the outset that I would not be able to just pick up some material and start working - I would have to measure lines and angles, draw out a pattern, calculate seam allowances and work accurately. Oh dear! Not my usual organic, let's see how it goes approach at all. I was sure I could do the background to start with and then put the stripes on later. 

 At this point I quite liked the arrangement of the blues - did it really need the stripes? Well yes. To cover up the inaccuracies in the centre of course. Eventually I came up with a combination of ribbons  that I liked. Just one foray into a store and one purchase for this stage. I couldn't resist the freshness of the checked ribbon when I saw it in the shop but I liked the vintage 'gravitas' and substance that grosgrain ribbons from my stash seemed to lend. All done and interfacing applied when a request for buttons came in so they got stitched on, the back was made up and the whole thing finally assembled.
So now dear offspring here it is, on its way from our shabby chic chair to yours with home-made love.

And if there are days when you feel a little less patriotic then the back has a more subtle style. 

But please, please use those magic words from the beginning of this post sparingly.