MAKING WAVES

HANNAH HEYS SHOWS HOW TO TRANSFORM COLOURED YARN AND HESSIAN INTO A PLAYFUL PUNCH-NEEDLE CUSHION

+ Use the tip of your punch needle over the front of your design to help neaten up and define your lines, or to separate blocks of colour where needed

1 Measure and cut the hessian fabric to 52x32cm, then mark out a 1cm border with a Sharpie. Mark this section as 'overlap', then from this line measure and mark another 2cm border (3cm total border) leaving you with a central design area of 46x26cm. Use an overlocker machine or a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine to finish the edges and stop them from fraying.

2 Print out the template at www.gathered how onto three separate sheets of A4 paper. Fold down or cut up to the edge of the design from each sheet, and tape together using clear tape to create one large template to trace from.

3 Place the template straight on top of the lightbox if you have one, remembering that the design is reversed, since you punchneedle the design from the back. Now place the fabric on top of the design, lining up the bottom of the design with the straight line marked out on the fabric. Trace the design onto the fabric using a Sharpie.