Project by Angela Harkness
Showcase your patchwork skills using this Christmas wreath cushion design.
Ability/skill level of project: Intermediate
Supplies:
½ metre of the Merry and Bright fabric range
20” x 20” wadding
20” x 20” calico
Red pompom trim
Temporary fabric spray adhesive
Directions:
Step 1: Cut out your fabrics as required
- Stripe fabric: 24 pieces 2.5” x 2.5”
8 pieces 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
6 pieces 1.5” x 1.5”
2 pieces 1 7/8” x 1 7/8”
- Leaf fabric: 9 pieces 2.5” x 2.5”
8 pieces 2 7/8” x 2 7/8”
6 pieces 1.5” x 1.5”
2 pieces 1 7/8” x 1 7/8”
-Text fabric: 4 pieces 1.5” x 1.5”
4 pieces 1 7/8” x 1 7/8”
2 strips 1.5” x 14.5”
2 strips 1.5” x 16.5”
-Patterned fabrics: 2 back panel pieces 19” x 13”
2 strips 1.5” x 16.5”
2 strips 1.5” x 18.5”
-Calico: 20” x 20”
-Wadding: 20” x 20”
Step 2: Creating half square triangles (this technique is the same for creating both sizes of half square triangle using the 1 7/8” squares and the 2 7/8” squares):
-to determine which pieces get stitched together, refer to the layout chart
-Place two squares of fabric right sides together
-Draw a line diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner
-Sew along the drawn line
-Cut ¼” from the line
-Open up the seam and press the seam open and flat
Trim down the pieces to give the correct size square (2.5” and 1.5” in this case)
**chain piecing here saves time and thread**
Step 3: Continue sewing the half-square pieces together with the1.5” square pieces to give a 2” pieced block.
Step 4: Keep referring to your layout and return pieces to your board to keep them in order
Step 5: Sew the pieces together to create each row:
Step 6: Continue sewing until all the rows are sewed together. Keep referring to your layout and return pieces to your board to keep them in order
Step 7: Adding the borders to the centre patchwork piece
- Position the 1.5” x 14.5” red text strips on opposite sides of the centre panel, pin in place then stitch using a ¼” seam allowance. Press seams open and flat.
- Position the 1.5” x 16.5” red text strips on the top and bottom of the centre panel, pin in place then stitch using a ¼” seam allowance. Press seams open and flat.
Step 8: Adding the borders to the centre patchwork piece:
- Position the 1.5” x 16.5” patterned strips on opposite sides of the centre panel, pin in place then stitch using a ¼” seam allowance. Press seams open and flat.
- Position the 1.5” x 18.5” patterned strips on the top and bottom of the centre panel, pin in place then stitch using a ¼” seam allowance. Press seams open and flat.
Step 9: Layer up the cushion front with wadding and calico backing. Spray baste these pieces together then quilt the front of the cushion as desired...as simple or as complex as you wish! The photograph of the calico backing shows the quilting design used as an example here.
Step 10: Adding the pompom trim
-Position the trim on the top of the cushion front piece. Hold in place with quilting clips around the edge, overlapping where the two ends join.
-Make sure the pompoms are sitting on the inner fabric, stay stitch in place on the machine, using a zipper foot helps get close to the edge without stitching over the pompom pieces.
Step 11: Preparing envelope back of cushion
-Carefully fold over a double turned hem along the inner side edge of each back fabric piece and press
-Topstitch the hem in place, adjusting your needle position to stitch close to the turned edge
Step 12: Making the cushion cover
-Lay out fabric pieces: front facing up with back panels on top facing down, overlapping each other for the envelope back
-Clip in place, being mindful of the pompoms.
-Sew around all four sides of the cushion cover then finish with overcast stitch
-Trim corners, turn out and press
Step 13: Insert the cushion inner pad and fluff up. The cushion is now ready for Christmas!
To see more from Angela, visit her on Instagram @angerellas_crafts
Made by Angela Harkness for The Craft Cotton Company 2020