Battle of the Cushions

There's a lot to like in this collection of cushions from 1974's Family Circle Yours For The Making magazine. Clara Bow, the multi-coloured patchwork cushion, is a very glamorous way of using up a stash of scraps. That retro 1920s style with a 1970s twist is so evocative of the period and would look fantastic on a boudoir bedroom chair.


Mr and Mrs Panda, on the other hand, are minimalist amigurumi marvels. They are made out of felt, machine sewn round the edge seams, and eyes and face details are felt scraps stuck on with Copydex.

The Cottage Cushion hasn't aged as well (and is that an oil slick, or a dark spooky fog blighting the scene on the right hand side?). Esmerelda the Elephant is fun, but would look even better in a clashing 1970s floral fabric. For me, Mr and Mrs Panda win the 1974 battle of the cushions. I could make a joke about them knocking the stuffing out of the opposition, but I am feeling restrained and mature this morning, so I won't.

True vintage

This picture pleases me because it is sailing in the opposite direction to the current prevailing vintage crafting style. The modern definition of vintage equates to folksy, chunky knit or felted cream-coloured natural doodads photographed against a distressed white wall and scrubbed wooden floors. There may possibly be an artfully inclined black bicycle or 1940s wooden packing crate lurking in the background, too.

However, for me, true vintage is summed up by this page from a Patons Bazaar booklet, circa late 1960s. Brightly coloured acrylic cushions having a fight with some inflatable clown heads over who is going to sit on that rocking chair. It was a challenge to find a background colour that would clash with every single cushion but by heck, Patons managed to pull it off.

More cushions

More cushions from the Family Circle Book of Crafts - patchwork ones, this time. If you've never patchworked before, a cushion is a good place to start. The cushion on the bottom row, second from the left, is made out of four simple striped squares - make a plain backing for your cushion and you'll be done in no time. Or you'll be done in about three years, if your sewing is anything like mine.

Family Circle cushions

Here's an inspiring spread of cushion ideas from the Family Circle Book of Crafts (1980). I particularly like the fruity cushions, made from zingy canvas fabric with applique shapes. Imagine a whole row of orange slices on a brown 1970s sofa...

The busy paisley-style cushions could be made from up-cycled chair cover fabric or other vintage fabric finds. Not too convinced by that tie-dye beanbag though; it looks like someone's had an accident with a mocha coffee or three.