THIS CUSHION IS A GREAT INTRODUCTION TO DRESDEN PLATE PATTERNS

YOU WILL NEED

■ Background and cushion back fabric: ½yd

■ Print fabric: one (1) fat quarter

■ Batting: 18in square

■ Lining fabric: 18in square

■ Sixteen-blade Dresden template: one (1) copy

FINISHED SIZE

■ 16in square

NOTES

■ Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted.

■ RST = right sides together.

■ Fabrics provided by Cotton+Steel (cottonandsteel.com)

CUTTING OUT

1

From the print fabric cut:

■ Eight (8) blades using the Sixteen-blade Dresden template.

2

From the background fabric cut:

■ Two (2) 8½in squares.

■ One (1) 16½in x 8½in rectangle.

■ Two (2) 16½in x 10½in rectangles.

PIECING THE CUSHION

3

Following steps 4–5 of the quilt instructions, piece your Dresden blades together to make a semi circle. Press under the outer edge of the blades, as in step 9 of the quilt instructions. Also press under the curved edge at the bottom of the blades.

4

Sew your two 8½in squares together to make the top of the cushion front. Line up your Dresden semi-circle on top of this, using the seam line to centre the block. The raw edges of the semi-circle should align with the bottom of the background fabric.

5

Topstitch around the edge of the blades, and around the curve at the bottom, approximately 1/8in from the edge.

6

Sew the 16½in x 8½in rectangle to the bottom to complete the cushion front.

QUILTING

7

Make a quilt sandwich by placing the lining fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the cushion top centrally and right side up. Baste the layers together using your preferred method.

8

Quilt as desired. Lou quilted around the edge of the Dresden semi circle in a coordinating white thread. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the cushion front.

FINISHING THE CUSHION

9

Fold one long edge of a 16½in x 10½in rectangle over by ¼in. Repeat, enclosing the raw edges, and press. Topstitch in place. Repeat for the second piece.

10

Lay your cushion front piece right side up and place the cushion back pieces on top, right sides together. Make sure that the side edges line up. The two hemmed back edges will overlap in the middle, to ensure the cushion pad stays securely inside the cover. Pin in place.

11

Sew around the cushion edges. Turn the right way out and carefully poke out the corners to finish.

Lou Orth Fabric addict Lou loves playing with colours and is constantly coming up with dreamy new quilt designs imstudiolou.com imstudiolou