Again I get to combine my passion for upcycling old jeans with my love of maps with this unique applique denim floor cushion. YEAH!
I was rummaging through my fabric stash when I came across this IKEA Ursula beige linen large pillow cover. I’d bought it yonks ago for what I can’t remember now.
You know what is like you visit IKEA for one thing like some kitchenware and end up buying extra stuff you didn’t know you needed. Sometimes, resistance is futile in IKEA!
Lovely as it is, the floor cushion cover was a bit plain for me. That’s when I got the idea to embellish it with denim.
I’ve been wanting to make a denim world map for ages and I thought an applique denim world map would look great on this cushion cover. It will go well with the world map desk I made for my study.
This isn’t my only IKEA world maphack, I’ve also made an IKEA world map table and IKEA map clock. I’ve even upcycled those mini drawers IKEA Moppe hack with maps.
Free Pattern For A Unique Applique Denim Floor Cushion
I added a personal touch to the map floor cushion by making tiny red felt hearts to mark places in the world that are special to me. The hearts were placed on Hong Kong, UK and Bergen, Norway.
I love the rustic farmhouse look of the denim combined with the linen on the floor cushion. My son has his eye on it and I think it may disappear with him when he goes back to Uni after the summer holidays.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What you need to make a world map floor cushion
- Large linen cushion/pillow cover – I used an IKEA Ursula 65cm x 65cm floor cushion cover.
- Scraps of denim from old jeans in various shades of indigo.
- Scrap of red felt
- Fabric Mod Podge
- Needle and thread
- World map outline template – You can download the one I used here.
How to make an applique denim floor cushion
1.. The first thing to do is to print off the World Map template. The template will print over several pages.
2. Next, for this giant map pillow, I made each continent a different shade of denim. So to start with I cut out each of the continents from the world map template.
I then placed these on the cushion cover and drew around them with a pencil. Until I had transferred the whole world map to the linen cover.
Top Tip: You may want to take a bit of artistic license and squash the continents slightly closer together so that they fit on the square cushion cover.
3. Next, take the paper world map templates you have cut out and use them to cut out continent shapes from the scraps of denim. The floor cushion will look good if you use a different shade of denim for each continent.
The denim continent shapes will start to fray quickly. To stop this happening just brush a small amount of fabric Mod Podge around the edge.
Using the pencil world map outline as a guide pin the denim pieces to the floor cushion cover.
3. Next, hand stitch each of the denim pieces to the cushion cover. I used a simple backstitch using cotton in a contrasting colour for this and stitched around the edge of each piece.
I hadn’t handstitched anything for a while and was surprised how quickly I stitched on the pieces. However, backstitching is a quick stitch.
4. Finally, to finish and to add a personal touch to the world map floor cushion, I cut out some small red felt hearts and stuck them on the cushion.
I used fabric glue to stick them on countries close to my heart, but you can easily stitch the hearts in place.
I know I said this was a floor cushion because of its size but I also like it on the chair. However, it doesn’t leave much room to sit.
I think the denim floor cushion would look great in a den or a teen bedroom. It would also make a great gift for anyone with wanderlust!
If you are looking for the best denim pillow ideas take a look at these.
Also if you would like some vintage world map prints to compliment the pillow there are some free ones here to download.
For more free sewing patterns subscribe to allfreesewing.com
Ginny Bishop
The template will only print on one page. How do I get multiple pages.
Thank you
Claire Armstrong
In your printer menu settings on your computer, you should have the option for it to print on several pages. Normally it means picking tile pages option. This video may help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOy8yXgTxrI
Velvet
OMG! I love this! I could do something like that but frame it instead as a wall hanging for my daughter’s bedroom. (I’m dying to add as many inky stains as I can).
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Velvet. I think it would look fabulous as a wall hanging or even pinboard.
Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting
Gasp! This is gorgeous! I love maps, big pillows and different shades of jeans put together, so as far as I’m concerned, this is the perfect project! 🙂 Lisa
Claire Armstrong
Thanks once again, Lisa. Loving both denim and maps I just had to combine the two!
Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
LOVE this idea Claire!!! Absolutely fantastic!! I’ve been toying with the idea of doing a travel related theme for the twins’ bedroom so this would work really well 🙂 #HomeEtc
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Caro. You can get them to move the heart around to the places they have visited.
Kippi
Super hip idea. I have to use this idea to make one too.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. They are a fun bit of decor and spark conversation.
Lina
I love this floor cushion! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tutorial at the Sew It Cook It Craft It link party! You’re one of the features tomorrow when the new party starts!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I look forward to seeing it.
creativejewishmom/sara
Another winner Claire! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Sara, and thanks for hosting.
Sheri
Really cool! Thank you for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go DIY, Crafts, Recipes and More Link Party! Pinned this! Hope to see you again next week!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and thanks for hosting.
Julie
I love how you’ve created a mash up of your 2 favourite things, maps and denim!
I went to Ikea today and bought 2 things that weren’t on my list, how is it that things just fall into those bloomin’ big yellow bags?!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Julie. I know Ikea is lethal I always come out with stuff I didn’t know I needed.
Funky Junk Interiors - Donna
ANOTHER win! Goodness… this is adorable. And your pup is the perfect little prop to finish things off right.
I’m featuring this lovely pillow in this weekend’s upcoming DIY Salvaged Junk Projects. Thanks for linking up!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you! He’s not such a pup these days, we think he’s about 15years old now but never quite sure as Toby was a rescue dog.
Mother of 3
This is such an adorable idea! I love it. Pinned.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much! I’m a mother of 3 also!
Ann
Love your denim restyles and this one is definitely on my list to make for the world travelers in the fam for Christmas. Thumbs up!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Ann. This would make a lovely Christmas present.
Cecilia
These are great! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you
Pam @Threading My Way
This would be great for a kid’s room, Claire. Another clever use of pre-loved denim.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Pam ?. My teenage son has his eye on it.
Jennifer Wise
I LOVE this!! I love maps, and the denim is gorgeous.
#embracingchangelinky
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. I love maps too!
mooisvanmie
Cool! Thanks!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ?