Sew a smart hotel-style cushion in 3 easy steps

Felt is such a great fabric to use for stylish cushions: it's easy to sew and, best of all, doesn't fray, allowing you to create quirky designs like our circle one, inspired by Karen. Choose so-hot-right-now grey and give your bedroom a hotel feel in a flash. Why not then use our circle-chain method to add a leading edge to your bedroom curtains or duvet cover using any leftover pieces of felt?

You will need:

50cm Grey Felted Wool, £30 per m, MacCulloch & Wallis Tape measure Cotton reel (to draw around)
Scissors Tailor's chalk Sewing machine, matching thread
Needle & pins 41cm x 41cm Ecru Duck Feather cushion pad, £3.99, Dunelm

Step one

Cut a cushion front piece 42cm x 42cm and two back pieces H30cm x W42cm from the grey felt and set aside. Using a large cotton reel, draw 24 circles onto the felt with the tailor's chalk, and carefully cut each out.

Step two

Sew eight of the circles together to form a chain, with your stitches running through the middle of each circle. Butt each circle up to its neighbour as you stitch. Repeat to make a second and third circle chain length.

Step three

Measure the centre of your cushion and pin the first circle chain in place, then position the remaining two chains either side, equally spaced. Pin then hand stitch to the front piece. Lay the cushion front right-side up on your work table and pin the two back felt pieces on top so they overlap in the middle, matching up the edges. Pin and machine stitch. Turn the right way and add your cushion pad.