How To Assemble A Biscornu

A biscornu is one of those wonderfully clever little projects that looks incredibly impressive but is much more achievable than you might think! Made from two flat pieces of stitched fabric sewn together in a very particular way, the finished result is a gorgeous three-dimensional shape with pretty peaks all the way around - perfect as a decorative ornament, a pin cushion, or even a lavender sachet. Once you've had a go, you'll be hooked!

What You'll Need

• Two completed and pressed cross stitch pieces (front and back)
• Matching thread for joining (in the colour used for your guideline stitching)
• A needle
• Wadding or stuffing (toy stuffing, or the filling from an old cushion works beautifully)
• Two small buttons (one for the front, one for the back)
• Scissors
• Optional: dried lavender to add to your stuffing

Step 1: Press Your Finished Pieces

Once you've finished stitching both pieces, give them a gentle press on the reverse with your iron - never on the front, just in case your iron decides to misbehave! Pressing on the back means your stitching looks beautifully neat and crisp once it comes off the frame. Don't press down the edges of the fabric at this stage though, as you'll need to keep lifting them as you stitch the two pieces together and too firm a crease can make this trickier.

Step 2: Understand Your Guideline

Before you begin sewing the two pieces together, look for the guideline running around the edge of your stitched design. This is stitched in the same colour thread that you'll be using to join your biscornu together, and it acts as your road map throughout the assembly. Keep your eye on this line at all times - it tells you exactly where to place each stitch as you work your way around.

Step 3: Find Your Starting Point

To begin, you need to find the centre point along one edge of your front piece. Count the stitches along that edge, for example, if there are nine stitches, you're looking for the fifth one. This centre stitch lines up with the corner of your back piece, and this offset is what creates that wonderful peaked biscornu shape.

Step 4: Join the Two Pieces with a Blanket Stitch

Thread your needle, fold the thread in half to create a loop at one end, and use the loop to anchor your thread neatly before you begin, no knot needed.

With your front piece facing you, bring your needle in through your centre stitch hole on the front and out through the corresponding corner of the back piece. You're now going to work a blanket stitch along the edge, skipping two stitches at a time as you go, and always following your guideline. Keep your stitches nice and firm so that the two pieces are pulled together neatly.

As you reach the end of one side you'll need to turn the corner, this is the only slightly fiddly part, but don't be put off! Simply pick up the stitch at the corner, bend the fabric round with your fingers, and continue along the next side diagonally, easing the corner into a little peak as you go. The fabric will naturally begin to form the biscornu shape as you work your way around, it's a very satisfying moment when you see it start to come together!

Step 5: Leave a Gap for Stuffing

Work your way all around the biscornu - through all four sides and all four corners - until you have just one short section left open. This gap is where you'll add your stuffing, so don't close it up just yet.

Step 6: Stuff Your Biscornu

Now for the fun bit! Take your wadding or stuffing and begin to fill your biscornu, making sure you push it right into each of the corners and peaks. You really do want to overfill it slightly - the more firmly stuffed it is, the better it will hold its shape. Think of it like a little hamster's cheek pouch, you want it really full and rounded!

If you fancy something a little special, mix a handful of dried lavender in with your stuffing. Your finished biscornu will then release the most lovely gentle scent every time you reach for it, absolutely gorgeous on a sideboard or dressing table.

Step 7: Stitch the Final Edge Closed

Once you're happy with the stuffing, continue your blanket stitch along the final open edge to close everything up neatly. Because you're stitching on the outside of the piece, your stitches become part of the decorative finish, so there's no need to worry about them being visible.

Step 8: Attach the Buttons

This is the step that really brings a biscornu to life! Take one button and position it centrally on the front of your biscornu. Thread your needle and stitch through the front button, then push the needle all the way through to the back of the biscornu and thread it through a second button on the back. Sew through both buttons five or six times, pulling the thread firmly with each pass. The tighter you pull, the more beautifully the biscornu squashes down into that signature dimpled shape. Finish off your thread securely and snip.

Your Biscornu is Complete!

And there you have it, a beautiful, fully assembled biscornu with lovely peaks all the way around, a neat blanket stitch edge, and a gorgeous button centre pulling it all into shape. Whether you choose to display it as a decorative ornament, keep it on your stitching table as a pin cushion, or fill it with lavender for a fragrant little gift, we think you'll be incredibly proud of the result.

Happy Stitching!