OPT FOR A PROFESSIONAL PIPED EDGE LIKE THIS OR SIMPLY STITCH YOUR PIECES TOGETHER

CUTTING OUT

1

From one print fabric cut:

■ One (1) Half Circle Template.

2

From the second print fabric cut: ■ Two (2) Leaf Template.

3

From your background fabric cut:

■ One (1) Half Arc Template.

■ Four (4) Leaf Arc Templates.

■ Two (2) 18½in x 2½in.

■ Two (2) 2in x 14½in.

3

From the backing fabric cut: ■ Two (2) 18½in x 12¼in.

4

From the piping fabric cut:

■ Four (4) 1½in wide strips on the bias.

PIECING THE FLOWER BLOCK

5

Follow steps 11–12 and 14–15 from the quilt to make one flower and one leaf block. Join them together for the cushion centre, referring to the photography.

6

Join the 2in x 14½in strips to either side of the cushion centre. Then join the 2½in x 18½in strips to the top and bottom. Press all the seams carefully toward these sashing strips.

QUILTING THE CUSHION TOP

7

Press the cushion top and lining well. Make a quilt sandwich with the lining, batting and cushion top and baste using your preferred method. 8

Quilt as desired. Bay used a 1½in grid pattern on point. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the cushion top to 18½in square.

PREPARING AND ATTACHING THE PIPING

9

Sew the piping fabric strips together end to end using diagonal seams. Press the seams open. Fold the strip lengthwise, wrong sides together, around the piping cord, bringing the long raw edges together. Baste along the length to hold the cord in place.

10

Pin the piping around the edge of the cushion top, matching the raw edges of the piping cord with the outer edges of the cushion. Baste in place, leaving approx 2½in at each end unstitched.

11

Unpick the basting stitches at the free ends of the piping. Carefully pin one free end of the piping in place. Lay the other end over the top, measure, mark and trim, so the pieces only overlap

by in. Sew the two ends of piping together using a in seam. Check that the piping cord will lay flat against the edge of the cushion and adjust as necessary. Trim the piping cord to fit exactly, and then baste it to the edge of the cushion.

FINISHING THE CUSHION

12

Take one backing piece, and press under in along one long edge. Press under in again, to enclose the raw edge. Topstitch in place. Repeat the process with the other backing piece.

13

Place your cushion top right side up. Place the two hemmed backing pieces RST with the cushion top, aligning the raw edges around the sides, with the hemmed edges overlapping in the centre. Pin or clip in place.

14

Sew around the outer edge of the cushion. Use a zipper foot, making sure you sew the seam closely to the piping cord. Clip the corners, and zigzag stitch along the edge within the seam allowance. Turn the cushion right side out and press to finish.