QUILTED CUSHIONS

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Square & More Squares Cushion

Hand quilted

1. Cut a 3.5" strip from each of your fabrics. Subcut 8, 3.5" squares from each strip.
2. Lay out the fabric squares into the design, creating an 8 x 8 grid without having the same fabric in the same row.
3. Sew each 3.5" unit together to create rows and then sew the rows together to form the cushion top.
   Note: I used the webbing block technique (you can find tutorials on YouTube)
4. To sandwich the layers for hand quilting, press the muslin and lay on a table and tape edges to the table making sure the fabric is smooth but not overstretched. Lay the wadding on top of the muslin and smooth it out. Finally, lay the pressed cushion top on top and smooth it out. You can baste with thread by using large running stitches through all three layers, about every 4" in a grid. Alternatively, you can use curved safety pins to baste through all layers.
5. Quilting the layers - Using your Sashiko or Chenille needle and No. 12 perle thread, make a quilter's knot at the end of your thread. To do this, wrap the thread around the tip of the needle three times, then pull the thread back over the eye of the needle and down to the end of your thread. This will form a neat knot. Set the needle aside on a pincushion.
6. Hooping your cushion top - You can tack extra fabric on the sides to make it easier to move the cushion and quilt the edges. When hooping your cushion top, ensure that there is some slack in it. Imagine a cat has just curled up in it and has gotten up, leaving a bit of a sag in the middle. This allows you to use the rocking method for hand quilting. Essentially, the rocking method involves making a running stitch and loading a few stitches onto the needle before pulling the needle through your work.
   To start quilting, insert your needle into the top fabric and into the wadding layer, then come out at a spot in the center of the quilt top without piercing the backing layer. Pull the knot through the top, and you'll hear a pop as it lodges into the wadding. Begin hand quilting in the center of the quilt top and work your way outwards. I did not mark the quilting lines, instead, I quilted point to point diagonally in both directions, creating triangles of the squares.
   When ending the thread, use the same knotting method and push the needle through the top and into the wadding layer, then back out. The knot will lodge securely into the wadding. Trim the end, rethread the needle, and continue quilting until the entire piece is finished. I quilted all in one direction of lines and then went back and quilted in the opposite direction. If you are using pins for basting, you can remove them as you quilt that area. If you've used thread basting, wait until you have completed the quilting before removing the basting stitches.
7. Trim quilt top wadding and muslin to the edge of the quilt top
8. Cut 4 strips of fabric at 1 1/2" x 24 1 1/2". Press in half lengthways. Stitch this to the edge of the cushion with the folded side to the inner of the cushion
9. See construction of cushion back and completion of cushion at end

Applique Cushion

1. Print the attached sheet for the appliqué pieces and check the 1" measurement to ensure it is accurate.
2. Cut Background centre Fabric 16 1/2" square. Cut three 4 1/2" strips of fabric then cut a 2 x 16 1/2" and 2 x 24 1/2" and sew onto the edges of the background centre square to create a 24 1/2" square. Set aside whilst we prepare the applique.
3. Trace the shapes onto the appliqué paper. Ensure you check the diagrams and leave enough extra space around the shapes to layer them as needed.
4. Cut out the traced shapes, leaving about 1/8" around the edges. Fuse them to your chosen fabrics according to the instructions for your fusible web.
5. Cut the shapes along the lines.
6. Using your template sheet, remove the backing from the fusible web on the fabric and arrange the pieces on the template sheet to assemble the appliqué. Once you're satisfied with the placement, fuse all the pieces together. Allow to cool, then remove from the template sheet and fuse onto the background fabric.
7. Fuse a piece of Pelon to the back of the background fabric. This will support the appliqué and the embroidery on your cushion.
8. Use a blanket stitch to stitch around all the appliqué pieces. Alternatively, you can stitch by hand or use straight or satin stitching to secure the pieces to the background.
9. Embroider the flowers into the pots using embroidery stitches such as lazy daisy, knots, and backstitching.
10. Quilt around parts of the caravan, the pots, and the bunting using a walking foot or free-motion quilting. Also, quilt around the edge of the border.
11. Refer to the instructions for constructing the cushions at the end of the project sheet.

Foundation Paper Piercing House Cushion

Note: When paper piecing, reduce your stitch length on your machine to 1.6-1.8. This helps remove paper without ripping your stitching out later. Some knowledge of foundation piecing is advised (if not please check out some videos on YouTube on the technique)

The sky will all be pieced normally (M1,2,3 & 4)

1. Print off paper templates for foundation piecing. Check the 1" square. If this is not true to size, adjust the copy so your block will be the correct size.
2. Cut out your pieces large enough to cover the template. Sizes are below to cut for the pieces. Look at above diagram to work out which pieces you will use for each

Recommended sizes for the blocks:

• A1 - 4" x 13"
• A2- 3" x 5 1/2"
• A3 - 4" x 5 1/2"
• B1 & B3 -2 1/2" x 5 3/4"
• B2 - 2 3/4" x 5 3/4"
• B4 - 6" x 3"
• B5 - 3" x 7 1/2"
• C1 - 2 1/4" x 1 3/4"
• C2 - 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• C3 & C4 - 3 1/2" x 3 1/4"
• D1 & D3 - 3" x 3"
• D2 - 2 1/2" x 3"
• E1 - 2 1/4" x 3"
• E2 - 2 1/4" x 4 3/4"
• F1 - 2 1/4" x 2 1/2"
• F2 - 2 1/4" x 4"
• G1 - 3 1/4" x 7 1/2"
• H1 - 2 1/2" x 6 1/2"
• H2 - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"
• I1 - 3" x 8 1/4"
• J1 - 5 3/4" x 3"
• K1 - 5 3/4" x 11 1/4"
• L1 - 5 1/2" x 6
• L2 - 6 3/4" x 6 1/4"
• M1 - 1 1/2" x 4
• M2 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
• M3 - 1 1/2" x 11 1/2"
• M4 - 16 1/2" x 1 1/4"

How to create a foundation pieced block:

1. The block is created using paper as a foundation for sewing through both fabric and paper. The paper is removed once the block is finished. This method is excellent for achieving precise and sharp corners, as well as handling odd angles. Prepare your sewing machine by setting it around 1.5, this makes it easier to remove the paper after the block is sewn. When sewing, you will sew along the lines on the paper template, starting with the line between sections 1 and 2.
2. Place the fabric for your section 1 on the wrong side of the fabric, touching the paper. I use a dab of fabric glue to hold it in place, but you can use a pin. Hold it up to the light or use a light box to ensure your piece covers the entire area of section 1. It will overhang the sides, and this will be trimmed as you sew.
3. Using a piece of cardstock, fold the paper back along the line to reveal 1/4" of fabric. There will be a little bit more. Using your Add-A-Quarter ruler, hold it on the edge of the folded fabric and trim the fabric.
4. Place the second piece of fabric and line it up with the seam you have just trimmed, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Sew the pieces together using the line between 1 and 2 on your template, ensuring you start about half an inch before the line and continue to sew into the seam allowance. Press or use a seam roller before trimming on the second line to be sewn between 2 and 3.
5. Continue for each template, and then sew the templates together. For the K section, these will be pieced regularly and then added to the house foundation.
6. Remove the papers after all sections are pieced and sewn together to form your block. Then Add the 4 1/2 strips around the block to form the front of the cushion.
7. Iron onto Pellon and quilt as desired. Place a muslin piece on the inside of the Pellon so that it has a nicer lining and is easier to quilt with.
8. Follow the directions to finish your cushion. Fuse a 24 1/2" piece of Pellon to the back of the cushion front. Then back it with a piece of muslin and quilt the cushion top with either a walking foot or free-motion quilting to highlight the doors, windows, roof, path, and outer house.

Cushion Assembly

1. Using your backing fabric, cut 2 pieces of fabric in the following sizes:
   A: 20" x 14"
   B: 20" x 16"
2. The zip is attached to the center edge of each piece as follows:
   - With the right side of the fabric facing the zip, attach fabric A close to the teeth of the zip. Fold back so the right side is out, press, and stitch along the right side near the edge of the zip fabric. This will enclose the raw edge and create a neat finish.
   - Using fabric B, do the same thing but fold it so that there is an overlap to cover the zip
   - Leaving the zip partially open, place the right sides of the cushion front and back together and stitch all the way around using a 1/2" seam allowance. Clip the corners before turning the cushion right side out.
   - I then topstitch around the entire cushion to form a self-binding edge.