Follow-up Friday – Diamonds Cushion Cover

Ridiculously happy, that’s what I am with this just finished project, my “Lucy-in-the-Sky-with-Diamonds”-cushion cover!

It started with me just playing around with some leftover yarn, crocheting diamonds – adding a little differently colored diamond-shaped heart to each of them.
They were fun and quick to make, although I have to admit it took me some time to figure out how to make the color changes as clean as I could.
Pretty soon I had a whole stack of diamonds, and the fun part of coming up with just the perfect lay-out started. Next was the decision with what color to join: light pink, off-white, or …… black? Well, black it was (again, I know….. I’m very fond of black as a joining color, as you can see here, or here), and I love how it worked out….. again.
The black kind of makes the colors ‘pop’!
There is a won-der-ful tutorial on the internet on how to join diamonds, and of course I used that (link here).

Should you want to give this two-colored diamond a go yourself, I’ve jotted down the stitch chart (link to pdf here), and these tapestry-tutorials (here, and here), plus my photos will hopefully help you master the color changes.
Since this whole project was based on some non-planned crochet doodling, the size of my crocheted front was not standard. This meant I had to sew a cover that would match my crochet, i.e. 50 x 35 cm. Going for a “boho”-look, I picked some funky stripe fabric from my stash.It was then that I decided I would try to sew a zipper in this cushion cover …..
You see, during the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying to get to grips with sewing in a zipper, since one of my upcoming projects for CraftKitchen involves a sewed-in zipper.
I’m first in line to admit it’s a bit weird, but I think I’ve been almost as intimidated by sewing in zippers as I was by knitting socks……. But, hey, I’ve mastered the latter, so I thought it was about time to crack the zipper-code too.
I found a really great tutorial here, so, with the iPad on my knees, I sat behind my old Pfaff, and I’m pleased as punch, and very proud to show you my first cushion cover with a zipper!

All in all this was a most enjoyable project, and just looking at my “Lucy-in-the-Sky-with-Diamonds”-cushion makes me a happy camper. Soon, she will be taken to our little cabin on the Amsterdam canal – my beloved “Tuin 11” – where she’ll fit right in with the rest of its bright&colorful decorations. Until then, she resides in my studio ….
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Love,
Marianne xx