Make a square cushion

1. Cut 12cm x 38cm from a vintage tray cloth, keeping the hems at the right and bottom edges. Download the templates and print. Transfer the template for the wording or write your own message across the centre of the tray cloth. Embroider in back stitch, using three strands of thread.

2. Sew floral decoration by reproducing the motif on the template. Using a single strand of thread, work the bow in satin stitch using blue, and flowers in straight stitch using lilac and orange. Complete the flower centres and dots in lemon satin stitch.

3. Pin the finished rectangle to 17cm x 45cm of pale floral print, so that the top and left edges match. Cut 30cm x 45cm of blue spot fabric and pin one long edge to the pinned side of pale floral material, with right sides facing. Machine stitch all three pieces together, leaving a 1cm seam allowance. Press the seams open and stitch down the hems of the tray cloth, 2cm from the edge.

4. Cut 30cm x 40cm of floral stripe fabric. Trace the teapot and a cup and saucer template onto the paper side of a piece of fusible webbing, and cut them out roughly. With the adhesive side downwards, position them across the wrong side of the fabric, lining the stripes up horizontally. Press down, then cut out precisely around the pencil lines.

5. Peel off the backing papers. Position the teapot on the right-hand side of the blue spot fabric on the cover so that it sits on the seam line, and press down. Place the saucer to the left, so that the top edge lines up with the seam. Slip the cup underneath and press both of them down. Neaten the edges with a narrow machined zig zag stitch in a coordinating colour, or by hand with running or blanket stitch.

6. Cut two 30cm x 45cm rectangles of plain white fabric, and press under a 1cm double hem along the long edge of one piece. Slip red ric rac underneath so that a row of semicircles projects beyond the fold. Pin it in place and stitch, 3mm from the fold. Neaten the other panel with a 1cm single hem.

7. With right sides facing, pin the panel with the ric rac to the back of the cushion, matching the raw edges. Pin the other panel to the other edge, then machine stitch all the way around, taking a 1cm seam allowance. Clip a small triangle from each corner and turn right side out. Press lightly and insert a cushion pad into the cover.

Stitch a rectangular pillow

1. Cut 17cm x 40cm of plain white fabric and pin a length of lace across one long edge. With right sides together, pin 20cm x 40cm of blue spot fabric to this edge and machine stitch, leaving a 1cm seam allowance. Press the seam open and pin a 7cm x 30cm blue spot strip to the left edge. Join with a 1cm seam and press open.

2. Trace both teacups and saucers from the template onto the paper side of some fusible webbing and cut them out roughly. Cut 20cm x 30cm of floral stripe fabric. With the adhesive side downwards, position the shapes across the wrong side of the fabric, lining the stripes up horizontally. Press down, then cut out precisely around the pencil lines.

3. Peel off the backing papers and place the saucers along the seam line of the cushion front, the left one just below and the right one on top. Add the cups, tucking them under the top edge of the saucers and press both of them down. Neaten the edges with a narrow machined zig zag in a coordinating colour, or by hand with running or blanket stitch.

4. Cut two 30cm squares from plain white fabric. Press under a 1cm double hem along a short edge of one of the pieces. Slip red ric rac underneath so that a row of semicircles projects beyond the fold. Pin it in place and stitch, 3mm from the fold. Neaten the other panel with a 1cm single hem. Trace the template for the first teacup onto the paper side of fusible webbing and cut out. With the adhesive side downwards, position it on bright floral fabric and cut out. Peel off the backing paper and place on the panel with the ric rac. Complete the cushion as before.