Spring is in the air, and it's making us want to cast off those heavy winter homewares and replace them with light and bright pastels and floral prints.

With that in mind, would you like to create some beautiful new furnishings for your home, or perhaps you'd like to make a beautiful crafty gift? Look no further than this lovely envelope cushion covers sewing project.

With patterns like this one, there's no need to fork out for new cushions. This easy sewing project makes envelope cushion covers which you can simply slip over your existing cushion pads for an instant update.

Vary the design by using a contrast fabric for the overlap. Stitch this to your main fabric first, remembering to add an allowance for the extra seam to the main fabric and the contrast fabric.

We've used a floral print, pink fabric and vintage-style buttons for ours, but you could use any colours and fabrics which best match your home. Use matching buttons for a blended look, or contrast the colour of the buttons with the fabric to make a statement.

These cushions are guaranteed to brighten any room. They make a lovely addition to your home, or perhaps as a gift for a birthday or Mother's Day.

This pattern involves using a sewing machine, so is best for crafters who have mastered the basic sewing techniques and are looking to improve their skills. However, the envelope shape means it doesn't require sewing in a zip – making it a lot easier than other cushion sewing patterns!

Follow our step-by-step guide to make your own envelope cushions in an afternoon.

You will need:

• Plain fabric, for pink cushion

• 2 contrast fabrics for floral cushion

• Buttons

• Press studs

• Cushion pads

• Matching thread

• Fabric scissors

• Needle and pins

• Sewing machine

How to make your envelope cushion cover:

1. If using a 35cm square cushion pad, cut a rectangle of fabric 238cm x 80cm.

2. Hem the two short ends. Fold a 15cm overlap down over the right side of the fabric and pin in place. Place a pin on the fabric 35cm down from the fold on each side.

3. Fold the other end of the fabric up at the pins, right sides together, so that it lies on top of the overlap. Stitch the sides together, taking a 1.5cm seam allowance.

4. Turn through to the right side, turning the overlap over to the right side. Sew a line of three buttons on to the overlap and stitch a press stud hidden by the middle button to close.

Have you sewn new cushion covers for your home? Share your makes with us by tagging us in your pictures on Instagram!

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