VALENTINE CUSHIONS

LEVEL: EASY

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 1.3m 'Prima Homespun' - red
• 1.3m 'Prima Homespun' - pink
• Assorted ribbons & rickrack trims in pink, red & white
• Assorted buttons in pink & red
• Matching 'Gutermann' 100% cotton thread
• Rotary cutter, mat & quilters rulers
• Pins, tape measure
• Scissors, seam ripper
• Sewing machine with 1/4" foot
• 2 x size 24 Cushion insert (61cm x 61cm)

SIZE

1 x size 14 Cushion insert (36cm x 36cm)

Note: 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance used throughout unless otherwise indicated.

Read all instructions carefully before commencing the project.

INSTRUCTIONS

LARGE CUSHION

Step 1.From the pink homespun cut one 24" (61cm) square for the cushion front and two 24" x 16" (61cm x 41cm) rectangles for the back. For the cushion backs, sew a double hem along one 24" (61cm) long side of each rectangle - fold and press under 1/4" (6mm) then another 1/4" (6mm) and topstitch hem in place.

Step 2.Arrange pink/white ribbons across the square cushion front. When happy with the design pin in place. Tip - use 24" quilting ruler and quilters pencil to rule lines across the square to help keep ribbon spacing even.

Step 3.To secure ribbons in place sew down each side close to the edge and press well.

Step 4.With cushion front right side up, place one hemmed back piece face down on top, aligning top and side raw edges with hemmed edge towards the centre. Pin in place. Place other piece face down on top aligning bottom and side edges with hemmed edge overlapping the other piece in the centre. Pin in place.

Step 5.Sew together around all four sides using 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance. Clip corners and overlock or zigzag seams to neaten. Turn cover right side out and press flat. Sew assorted pink buttons onto white ribbons.

Step 6.Place size 24 insert into cover with back edges overlapping.

Step 7.Repeat steps 1 to 6 using red homespun, red/white ribbons and red buttons.

SMALL CUSHION

Step 1.For the cushion front cut two 7 1/2" (19cm) squares from the pink homespun and two 7 1/2" (19cm) squares from the red homespun. For the cushion back cut one 14" x 11" (36cm x 28cm) rectangle from the pink homespun and one 14" x 11" (36cm x 28cm) rectangle from the red homespun.

Step 2.On one 7 1/2" (19cm) pink square arrange pink/white ribbon and rickrack across the square. When happy with the design pin and sew in place. On the other pink 7 1/2" (19cm) square arrange pink/white ribbon and rickrack down the square. Pin and sew in place.

Step 3.On one 7 1/2" (19cm) red square arrange red/white ribbon and rickrack across the square on the diagonal. When happy with the design pin and sew in place. Press well. On the other red 7 1/2" (19cm) square arrange red/white ribbon and rickrack across the square on the opposite diagonal. Pin and sew in place. Press well.

Step 4.Trim squares to 71/4" (18.5cm). Layout squares into 2 rows of 2 top row - red/pink, bottom row - pink/red. Sew two squares in each row together, press seams open. Sew rows together and press seams open.

Step 5.For the cushion backs, sew a double hem along one 14" (36cm) long side of one pink and one red rectangle - fold and press under 1/4"(6mm) then another 1/4" (6mm) and topstitch hem in place.

Step 6.With cushion front right side up, place pink hemmed back piece face down on top, aligning top and side raw edges with hemmed edge towards the centre. Pin in place. Place red piece face down on top aligning bottom and side edges with hemmed edge overlapping the other piece in the centre. Pin in place.

Step 7.Sew together around all four sides using 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance. Clip corners and overlock or zigzag seams to neaten. Turn cover right side out and press flat. Sew assorted pink and red buttons onto ribbons.

Step 8.Place size 14 insert into cover with back edges overlapping.