More Than Just a Scarf: Two Very Special Memory Cushions
More Than Just a Scarf: Two Very Special Memory Cushions
Sometimes a piece of fabric is so much more than just fabric.
A customer recently asked me if I could turn her late mother-in-law’s scarf into two memory cushions. The scarf was beautifully soft and full of colour, with blocks of pink, yellow, cream and green, finished with long tassels around the edges.
It was far too special to sit hidden away in a drawer.
Deciding Where to Cut
Cutting into someone’s treasured clothing or belongings is always the most nerve-racking part of making a memory item. There is no popping to the shop for another metre if something goes wrong, once the scissors go in, that is it.
No pressure, then!
Before cutting anything, I spent time working out how to use the scarf so that both cushions would show off its different colours and patterns. I wanted them to look like a matching pair without being identical.
One cushion has more of the bright yellow and deep pink sections, while the other cushion features the softer cream, pink and yellow areas. Together, they preserve as much of the original scarf as possible.
Keeping the Tassels
The tassels were such an important part of the scarf’s character that I knew they had to stay.
Rather than trimming them away to create perfectly neat edges, I incorporated them into the cushions and allowed them to fall naturally around the corners and sides. They might not be perfectly uniform, but that is precisely what makes them special, they are part of the original scarf and part of its story.
The finished cushions are soft, bright and wonderfully tactile. Most importantly, they are still instantly recognisable as the scarf they were made from.
Applying new skills
This request also gave me chance to practice using zips again. I used my same systems as before. This really is a great zip hack. It gives the zip a very smart finish and doesn’t leave any bulk or holes. If you missed the blog about my zip hack I have linked it here for you.
A Bag for Their Journey Home
Once the cushions were finished, I decided they needed something better than an ordinary carrier bag for collection.
Naturally, this meant making another thing!
I created a large black fabric collection bag with sturdy handles, contrasting pink stitching and the More Shabby Than Chic logo on the front. It was made large enough to hold both cushions safely and can be reused afterwards for storage.
Was a handmade bag strictly necessary? Probably not.
Did it make the finished order feel much more special? Absolutely.
Memories Made to Be Held
Memory cushions are never simply decorative items. They transform something connected to a loved one into something that can be seen, touched and held every day.
Instead of this beautiful scarf being packed away, it has become two unique cushions that can remain part of the family’s home. They still carry its colours, texture, tassels and, most importantly, its memories.
Projects like this are a real privilege to make. There is always a little fear involved when cutting into something irreplaceable, but seeing a treasured item given a new purpose makes every nervous snip worthwhile.
Before You Go… 🧵❤️
If you enjoyed reading about these memory cushions, sign up so you don’t miss my next adventure in sewing, creativity and inevitable chaos.
You can also read my other blogs, visit More Shabby Than Chic to see more of my handmade work, or leave me a comment, I would love to know whether you have a treasured item that deserves a new life.
Until next time… keep making, keep laughing, and remember: handmade doesn’t have to mean perfect. ❤️
Rhiannon
More Shabby Than Chic
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