Have a go at… NEEDLE PUNCHING

It’s easier on the hands and eyes than traditional embroidery, so why not give it a try?

- CHERYL OWEN

Needle-punched items can have a smooth or looped surface, depending upon whether you use the top or underside as the finished surface. This cushion uses the top (smooth) surface.

Finished size: 25 x 25cm

YOU WILL NEED

Access to a photocopier

Black waterproof marker pen

25cm diameter plate

45 x 45cm square of linen fabric, e.g. 13 holes to 2.5cm

Masking tape

35cm quilting hoop

Size 10 Oxford punch needle

One 50g ball of chunky wool in Turquoise, Light Green and Petrol

Two 50g balls of chunky wool in cream

38 x 35cm rectangle of turquoise fabric

Matching sewing thread

Toy filling

Suppliers: 35cm quilting hoop, £10.30 from Sew Essential (sewessential. co.uk), Size 10 Oxford needle punch, £30; 90cm-wide linen fabric, £10 per metre, from The Modern Crafter (themoderncrafter.co.uk); Rico Essentials Big chunky wool, 50g for £4.49, from LoveCrafts (lovecrafts.com).

Preparing the linen fabric