cardboard loomed cushion tutorial

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Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 1 © 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com Cardboard Loomed Cushion Here, we’ll create some real woven fabric - but instead of a loom, we’ll use a piece of humble cardboard. This is a great project for those odd single skeins of yarn in your stash. (And by the way, you can use these woven squares for so many other craft projects!) Skill Level: Bit of a Challenge • Piece of sturdy cardboard, about 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm) • Ruler and pencil • Scissors • Two 145-yard (132 m) skeins of yarn: one solid, one variegated (The fiber content is up to you.) • 8” (20 cm) straight upholstery needle (optional, see box on next page) www.createforless.com • Fork • Tapestry needle (large eye, blunt point) • 1/2 yard (.46 meters) canvas fabric • Sewing machine and coordinating thread • 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm) pillow form (or simply make your own from muslin) • One large and wonderful button Materials:

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Use simple materials to weave a pretty home accent.

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Page 1: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 1

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Cardboard Loomed CushionHere, we’ll create some real woven fabric - but instead of a loom, we’ll use a piece of humble cardboard. This is a great project for those odd single skeins of yarn in your

stash. (And by the way, you can use these woven squares for so many other

craft projects!)

Skill Level: Bit of a Challenge

• Piece of sturdy cardboard, about 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm)

• Ruler and pencil

• Scissors

• Two 145-yard (132 m) skeins of yarn: one solid, one variegated (The fiber content is up to you.)

• 8” (20 cm) straight upholstery needle (optional, see box on next page) www.createforless.com

• Fork

• Tapestry needle (large eye, blunt point)

• 1/2 yard (.46 meters) canvas fabric

• Sewing machine and coordinating thread

• 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm) pillow form (or simply make your own from muslin)

• One large and wonderful button

Materials:

Page 2: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Two Things You Need to Know...

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 2

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

In this project, we’ll use two weaving terms: Warp and Weft. Here’s what they mean:

WarpAll the obvious Star Trek jokes aside, “warp” is a weaving term that means: the vertical threads that give a piece of weaving its underlying structure. If you string a traditional loom, those strings are called warps.

You’ll often find that warps are made of simpler materials, like thin yarn, thread, or twine. This simplicity makes sense, because the warps’ main mission is to provide structure for the wefts - which we’ll talk about next.

WeftThis is another weaving term, meaning: the horizonal threads that pass under and over and under and over to form the actual weave.

Depending on your project, the weft might be one super-long, continuous strand that weaves its way back and forth, or it might be a bunch of short strands.

Weft is warp’s more flamboyant cousin. Weft can be made of bulky or novely yarns, or fabric strips, or pipecleaners, or a

multitude of other things.

Copyright and Usage

This digital tutorial is intended for you to enjoy on your screen, or print out for your personal use. The specific design herein is copyrighted, so please don’t reproduce it for commercial use. The technique itself, however, is yours to use in creating your own original designs.

I’ve put a great deal of time into making this tutorial as useful and inspiring as possible. I’d be grateful if you’d respect these efforts by keeping your copy for your own enjoyment, and encouraging your friends to purchase their own copies.

You can find lots of free tutorials for crafts of all kinds on my blog, www.craftypod.com.

Page 3: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 3

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Make a cardboard loom1. Begin with a very rigid piece of corrugated cardboard or foamboard. In the center, draw a square the same size you’d like your woven squares to be.

Make sure there’s ample space above and below this square, as shown here.

Measure and mark2. Draw a line about 1/2” (1.3 cm) away from the top and bottom edges of the cardboard. Then, mark 1/4” (.64 cm) intervals along both ends. These marks should fill an area as wide as your square.

For the record, my squares here are 6 1/4” x 6 1/4” (15.8cm x 15.8cm). You can make yours any size you like.

TIP: For this project, you might want to get a Long Straight Tapestry needle. They’re available in 8”, 10” and 12” lengths. (See how they compare to a regular needle, above?)

These long needles are absolutely dandy for cardboard-loom projects of all kinds. But if you don’t want to use one, you can always use a regular tapestry needle.

Page 4: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 4

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

6. Stretch the yarn gently over the cardboard and slide it into the first slit in the bottom. The yarn should be nice and taut.

7. Then, bring the yarn up through the next slit in the bottom of the cardboard, and stretch it up to the top. Slide it into the second slit in the top.

Continue in this manner, stringing the yarn up and down and securing it in the slots.

String the warp5. Slide the end of your warp yarn into the first slit in the top of the cardboard, leaving about a 4” tail. Leave the rest attached to the skein for now.

Cut some slits3. Carefully cut into the edge of the cardboard at each mark. Cut in as far as the guide line you drew in step 2.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 to cut a set of slits into the other end of the cardboard. You should end up with slits at the top and bottom edges.

Page 5: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 5

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

10. Weave back in the opposite direction, being sure to weave this second row opposite to the first one.

TIP: An ordinary fork is a dandy tool for packing your rows together. Don’t pack too tightly, though - it’s nice if a little warp shows!

TIP: Here’s a shot of the back of the cardboard loom. See how the yarn wraps around the backs of the slits?

Weave the Wefts8. Cut about 60” (152 cm) of weft. Here, I’ve paired one strand of variegated yarn with one strand of solid, and I’m weaving them as one weft.

9. Thread the weft on your long upholstery needle and weave it over and under the warps. Then, slide this first row up so it lines up with the top edge of the square you drew in step 1. Leave about a 5” (13 cm) tail of yarn hanging at the end of this first row. We’ll deal with it later.

Page 6: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 6

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

11. When you run out of your first strand of weft yarn, just leave about a 5” (13 cm) tail hanging off the side of the piece. We’ll deal with it later. (Feel free to cut a slit in the side of the cardboard and slide it in there so it’s out of your way.)

Keeping the sides straightThe tricky part of this kind of weaving is preventing the sides of your weaving from pulling inwards as you work. I use two methods to prevent this: first, I always hold the outermost warp down as I pull each row of weft through...

... And then, I stop pulling while there’s still some extra weft at the edge. Next, I pack down the row with a fork.

Then, I use a pencil to anchor the edge of the weft, as shown here, while I pull that last little bit through, leaving a slight loop at the edge of the weaving.

Incidentally, after you’ve woven the first couple rows, you can get that initial 5” tail of yarn out of your way by simply cutting a slit in the side of your cardboard and sliding the yarn into it.

Page 7: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 7

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Finishing the square13. When you’re done weaving, gently cut the warps close to the slits in the cardboard, as shown. Now you can remove your woven square!

12. Then, cut another 60” (152 cm) of weft, thread the needle, and begin weav-ing from the opposite side of the piece.

Leave a 5” (13 cm) tail of yarn hanging from this new weft, too.

14. Tie the cut ends of the warps into double knots to secure the weaving. Then, you can trim the ends of these warps to about 1/2”.

Page 8: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 8

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Join the squares18. Join two squares by placing them right sides together. Thread some yarn onto a tapestry needle and tie a large knot in the end. Sew along the edge as shown, using a small running stitch.

(I’m using contrasting yarn here so it shows up in the photo, by the way. You’ll want to use matching yarn.)

16. Then, pass the needle through the loops of weft at the edge of the weaving - about 5-6 loops is enough.

17. Gently pull the yarn through these loops, and then cut off the excess. And voila! Those tails of yarn are hidden!

Repeat steps 15-16 with each remaining tail of yarn.

15. Now, let’s deal with those 5” tails of yarn we’ve left hanging off the sides of this weaving. Thread one onto a tapestry needle.

Page 9: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 9

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Attach the weaving21. Pin your woven square to the center of the canvas square. The right side of the woven square should be facing out.

Place lots of pins all over the weaving, as shown, and keep them at least 1” away from the edges of the fabric so you won’t have to move them while you sew.

Cut the fabric20. Cut these pieces from some solid canvas fabric: one 12” x 12” (30.5cm x 30.5cm) square and two rectangles measuring 10” x 12” (25cm x 30.5cm).

Make a 1/2” (1.27 cm) hem in the 12” edge of each rectangle, as shown.

From Woven Squares to Awesome Cushion...

• You’ll need at least four squares to make a pillow top. (But feel free to weave up more if you prefer a different design.)

• Just for fun, I wove two of my squares with solid yarn as the warp and variegated yarn as the weft. Then I wove the other two with var-iegated warp and solid weft.

• Also for fun, when I sewed my squares together, I turned two of them so that the weft ran vertically. You can do crazy stuff like that.

19. With all four squares sewn together, you can steam press the piece along the seams to help flatten it out.

Page 10: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 10

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Assemble the cushion23. Pin the two rectangles on top of the woven piece now, overlapping them as shown, with right sides together.

(We’re making an “envelope” pillow cover, by the way.)

24. Adjust the stitch length on your sewing machine to 2.5. Sew the three layers together, following the seam line you made when you sewed the weaving to the canvas square in step 22.

22. Place the two layers on your sewing machine with the canvas on the bottom. Adjust the stitch length on your machine to 3.5. Sew along all four sides, about 1/4” (.64 cm) from the edge.

Be careful as you sew to keep loops of yarn away from your sewing machine’s presser foot.

Also, sew slowly to help keep the woven piece from stretching. If your weaving does stretch a little. your cushion will still be fine - that’s why we cut the canvas square a little larger than the woven square.

Page 11: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 11

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Attach a button26. You can attach a button to the center of your cushion in such a way that it’s easy to remove for cleaning.

Just thread some yarn onto a tapestry needle. Bring it up through the center back of the pillow to the front, leaving a 6” (15 cm) tail of yarn. And then string on your button.

27. Pass the needle back down through the pillow to the back. Tie the ends of the yarn in a tight double knot and trim them.

25. Turn your pillow cover right side out, and slide a pillow form into it.

(By the way, it’s easy to make your own pillow form. Just cut two squares of muslin about 1/2” (1.27 cm) larger than the size you need.

Sew along all four sides with a 1/4” (.64 cm) seam allowance, leaving an opening to turn it right side out. Then, turn it and stuff it firmly with fiberfill.)

• If you used wool yarns, then you can also felt your woven squares by running them through your washer and dryer.

• Weave up a dozen or so squares, sew them together end to end, and you’ll have a warm winter scarf.

• Use one woven square to make a small pillow sachet, filled with lavender.

• Feeling ambitious? Assemble a group of squares into a baby blanket, or an afghan.

Variations:

Page 12: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

Skill Level: Bit of a Challenge

Materials:• Piece of sturdy cardboard, about 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm)• Ruler and pencil• Scissors• Two 145-yard (132 meter) skeins of yarn: one solid, one variegated• 8” (20 cm) Straight upholstery needle (optional)• Fork• Tapestry needle (large eye, blunt point)• 1/2 yard (.46 meters) canvas fabric• Sewing machine and coordinating thread• 10” x 10” (25cm x 25cm) pillow form (or simply make your own from muslin)• One large and wonderful button

Make a cardboard loom1. Begin with a very rigid piece of corrugated cardboard or foamboard. In the center, draw a square the same size you’d like your woven squares to be. Make sure there’s ample space above and below this square.

Measure and mark2. Draw a line about 1/2” (1.3 cm) away from the top and bottom edges of the cardboard. Then, mark 1/4” (.64 cm) inter-vals along both ends. These marks should fill an area as wide as your square.

Cut some slits3. Carefully cut into the edge of the cardboard at each mark. Cut in as far as the guide line you drew in step 2.

4. Repeat steps 2-3 to cut a set of slits into the other end of the cardboard. You should end up with slits at the top and bottom edges.

String the warp5. Slide the end of your yarn into the first slit in the top of the cardboard, leaving about a 4” tail. Leave the rest attached to the skein for now.

6. Stretch the yarn gently over the cardboard and slide it into the first slit in the bottom edge. The yarn should be nice and taut.

7. Then, bring the yarn up through the next slit in the bottom of the cardboard, and stretch it up to the top. Slide it into the second slit in the top. Continue in this manner, stringing the yarn up and down and securing it in the slots.

Weave the wefts8. Cut about 60” (152 cm) of weft. Thread it on your long upholstery needle and weave it over and under the warps.

9. Then, slide this first row of weaving up so it lines up with the top edge of the square you drew in step 1. Leave about a 5” (13 cm) tail of yarn at the end of this first row. We’ll deal with it later.

10. Weave back in the opposite direction, being sure to weave this second row opposite to the first one. Use a fork to gently pack your rows of weaving together.

Keeping the sides straightThe tricky part of this kind of weaving is preventing the sides of your weaving from pulling inwards as you work. I use two methods to prevent this: first, I always hold the outermost warp down as I pull each row of weft through.

I stop pulling while there’s still some extra weft at the edge. Next, I pack the row down with a fork. Then, I can use a pencil to anchor the edge of the weft while I pull that last little bit through, leaving a slight loop at the edge of the weaving.

11. When you run out of weft yarn, just leave a 5” (13 cm) tail hanging off the side of the piece. We’ll deal with it later.

12. Then, cut another 60” (152 cm) of weft, thread the needle, and begin weaving from the opposite side of the piece. Leave a 5” tail of yarn hanging from this new weft, too.

Finishing the square13. When you’re done weaving, gently cut the warps close to the slits in the cardboard, and pull the finished square off the cardboard.

14. Tie the cut ends of the warps into double knots to secure the weaving. Then, you can trim the ends of the warps to about 1/2” (1.3 cm).

15. Now, let’s deal with those 5” (13 cm) tails of yarn we’ve left hanging off the sides of this block. Thread each one onto a tapestry needle.

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 12

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Cardboard Loomed Cushion: Printer-Friendly Instructions

Page 13: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Tutorial

16. Then, pass the needle through the loops of weft at the edge of the weaving - about 5-6 loops is enough.

17. Gently pull the yarn through these loops, and then cut off the excess. Repeat steps 15-16 with the rest of the tails.

Join the squares18. Join two squares by placing them together with right sides facing. Thread some yarn onto a tapestry needle and tie a large knot in the end. Sew along the edge using a small running stitch. Repeat this process to join the remaining squares.

19. With all four squares sewn together, you can steam press the piece along the seams to help flatten it out.

Cut the fabric20. Cut one 12” x 12” (30.5cm x 30.5cm) square from canvas. Also cut two 10” x 12” (25cm x 30.5cm) rectangles. Make a 1/2” (1.27 cm) hem in the 12” edge of each rectangle.

Attach the weaving21. Pin your woven square to the center of the canvas square. The right side of the woven square should be facing out.

Place lots of pins all over the weaving, and keep them at least 1” (2.5 cm) away from the edges of the fabric so you won’t have to move them while you sew.

22. Place the two layers on your sewing machine with the canvas on the bottom. Adjust the stitch length on your machine to 3.5. Sew along all four sides, about 1/4” (.64 cm) from the edge.

TIP: Be careful as you sew to keep loops of yarn away from your sewing machine’s presser foot. Also, sew slowly to help keep the woven fabric from stretching. If your fabric does stretch a little. your cushion will still be fine - that’s why we cut the canvas square a little larger than the woven square.

Assemble the cushion23. Pin the two rectangles on top of the woven piece now, overlapping them in the center, right sides together.

24. Adjust the stitch length on your sewing machine to 2.5. Sew the three layers together, following the seam line you made when you sewed the weaving to the canvas square in step 22.

25. Turn your pillow cover right side out, and slide a pillow form into it.

(By the way, it’s easy to make your own pillow form. Just cut two squares of muslin about 1/2” (1.27 cm) larger than your pillow form. Sew along all four sides with a 1/4” (.64cm) seam allowance, leaving an opening to turn it right side out. Then, turn it and stuff it firmly with fiberfill.)

Attach a button26. Thread some yarn onto a tapestry needle. Bring it up through the center back of the pillow to the front, leaving about a 6” (15 cm) tail of yarn. And then string on your button.

27. Pass the needle back down through the pillow to the back. Tie the ends of the yarn in a tight double knot and trim them.

Care Instructions:When you need to clean your cushion, just snip the yarn that holds the button. Slip the pillow form out of the cover.

Depending on the fiber in the yarns you used for the weaving, you can either dry clean your cover or hand wash it and lay or flat to dry. Be careful not to twist or wring the weaving.

Weaving Un-Loomed: Cardboard Loomed Cushion Page 13

© 2009 Diane Gilleland. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. www.craftypod.com

Cardboard Loomed Cushion: Printer-Friendly Instructions, p. 2