Patchwork cushions 6 piece template set makes 10 different designs Easy step by step instructions for beautiful results WELCOME TO PATCHWORK! Only a very basic knowledge of sewing is required for patchwork. All you need to do is follow the five easy steps in these instructions and you are on your way to creating heirloom treasures of which you can be proud. Preparation Before you start, here’s what you need: • Fabric (see step 1) • Iron-on interfacing • Thread – choose fine sewing thread in the main colour of the patchwork. Always match thread to the darkest colour used. • Needles - fine needles for small stitches; large needles for tacking. Tools for patchwork, choose: • Quilting pins • Quilters guard or thimble (e.g. Art. no. 611 333) • Quilting pencil – yellow or silver • Quilting pencil eraser (e.g. Art. no. 610 739) • Quilters 1/4 inch disc or seam guide (e.g. Art. no. 611 332) • Rotary cutter and mat with ruler Accesories to make sewing easier: • Needle grabbers (e.g. Art. no. 611 100) • Dressmaker’s wax (e.g. Art. no. 611 250) – draw thread across it before stitching to prevent tangling Available from good haberdashery, craft and department stores. Now you’re ready, simply follow five easy steps for each of the 10 designs using these templates, noting the reference numbers. For easy reference see the Fabric and Template Guide at the end of the instructions. Five easy steps to patchwork Step 1 – Fabric selection Select your design and the relevant patchwork templates required. Choose the fabrics; complementary or contrasting fabrics of similar weight cotton. The key to successful patchwork lies in accuracy and the visually pleasing arrangement of different fabrics and colours. Use plain and patterned fabrics, introduce different textures and try unusual colour combinations; you may be pleasantly surprised! Keep in mind the end use of the completed patchwork; will the colours complement the surroundings? Patchwork is not an expensive hobby. Search out all those left-over scraps from soft furnishings and dressmaking. Each of the designs featured require two or three different fabrics. As a guide, 22.5 cm (1/4 yd) of each fabric (90-115 сm, 36-45" wide) will make two patchwork squares measuring approximately 30 сm (12 in) square plus borders; sufficient for a cushion cover. The fabric should be washed and ironed before use, unless it is marked ‘pre-shrunk’ and ‘colourfast’. Step 2 – Template marking and cutting Place the template on the wrong side of the fabric and draw accurately around it using a sharp quilter’s pencil. This represents the stitching line. Now hold the template firmly in place and draw a second line, 6 mm (1/4") from the edge of the template to give the seam allowance, using a quilter’s seam guide or quilter’s disc for greater accuracy. Cut out the shape along this line using a rotary cutter and mat and with a ruler to give straight lines. Repeat with each of the design templates until you have cut out all the pieces required. Pin or place the pieces on a board to check the effectiveness of the colours within the design, re-arranging if necessary. Follow the design illustrations or use them as a guide, the patchwork designs can be worked in many different ways. Step 3 – Stitching There are two methods of stitching the patchwork pieces together, by hand or machine. Traditional patchwork methods teach the use of paper templates inside each patch. These templates prevent the patchwork from stretching during stitching but are removed once the patches are joined. The same effect fig. 1 can be obtained by using iron-on interfacing; it is much faster and far easier to . 2 РисРи work with than paper and, being permanently fixed, will also provide a с. 2. foundation for the patchwork. If you choose to use inner templates, select an ис. 1 iron-on interfacing that is fairly light, one which will complement rather than stiffen the fabric. Cut out the required number of interfacing templates as you did in Step 2, without adding a seam allowance. Fuse the interfacing patch to the wrong side of the fabric patch, following the manufacturer’s instructions. You should now have a 6 mm (1/4") fabric seam allowance around the interfacing (fig. 1). Step 4 – Stitching You are now ready to join the hand-sewn patchwork. Fold or finger-press the seam allowance to the wrong side of the patch, ensuring all edges are straight and angles sharp. Tack the allowance in place (fig. 2). There is no need to trim or fold any extra fabric at the points; this can be pushed to one side during the stitching (fig. 3). It will then lay flat when the work is complete. fig. 3 Рис.fig. 2 2 Take two pieces and place right sides together, carefully matching the corners. Oversew the seam using small, neat stitches, easing in any fullness along the length as you sew. It is very important for the finished appearance that all corners match exactly. Remove the tacking stitches. For machine-stitched patchwork, with or without interfacing templates, the seam allowance remains flat, not pressed inward. Place two patch pieces together, right sides facing. The marked stitching line should thus be visible. Ensure the sewing lines are positioned exactly on top of each other. Align the start and finish points and secure with a pin. Machine along the sewing line, leaving the seam allowance free (fig. 4). Strictly speaking, the seam allowances should be left free at all times. However, when joining a strip of patchwork, it is much quicker to fig. 4 machine across the seam allowances. You can also hand stitch using this method. Starting with a double stitch or knot, sew along the line with small running stitches. Several stitches can be loaded onto the needle at one time. At every five or six stitches make a backstitch instead of a running stitch to secure the work more firmly. Finish the seam exactly in the corner of the marked line with several backstitches. Do not sew the seam allowances down at any time during hand stitching (fig. 5). Once the piece is completed the seams should be pressed to one side, not pressed open. This is particularly important for the hand-stitched seam which is not strong enough for such pressing. Apply steps 1-4 to each of the following ten designs using the six templates contained in this kit, noting the reference numbers. fig 5 Step 5 – Cushion making Complete the patchwork piece by adding a border, either lapped (fig. 6) or mitred (fig. 7). Press the edges of the patchwork outward. Attach four strips of fabric by hand or machine following the instructions below. For lapped corners cut two strips of fabric equal in length to the side measurement of the patchwork; do not add seam allowances. Add a 1.3 сm (1/2") seam allowance to the width fig. 6 measurement of the border strips. Pin one border strip to each side of the patchwork and stitch in place. fig 7 Now cut the other two strips as above but ensure that they equal the side measurement plus the two borders. Pin and stitch in place (fig. 8). Press all seams toward the outer edges. For mitred corners you will need four strips, each to equal the width or length of the completed patchwork; to this measurement add twice the finished width of the border, plus 2.5 сm (1") for seam allowances. When cutting the width of the strip, add 1.3 сm (1/2") for seams to the finished border size. Position the strips on each side of the patchwork square so that centres match and right sides are facing. Stitch along each edge, starting and finishing 6 mm (1/4") in from the corners. fig. 8 Start at one corner and fold it diagonally, right sides together and matching the border seamlines. Pin in place. Using a ruler and quilting pen, extend the line formed by the folded patchwork corner. Stitch along this line, taking care not to catch the seam allowances (fig. 9). Trim the ends to 6 mm (1/4"). Press open seam allowances at the corner and repeat with the other three corners. All patchwork should be backed with a piece of fabric of the same size as the completed design. To make a cushion cover place two right sides together (one fig. 9 patchwork, one plain) and stitch around all edges, leaving one side open to insert the cushion padding or filling. Trim the corners, turn the cover right side out and insert the cushion padding. Slipstitch the opening together. Apply these steps to each of the following ten designs. One completed block of each design is sufficient for a cushion backed with a toning plain fabric, while a series of blocks may be joined together for larger projects, such as a quilt or throw. TWO PIECE DESIGNS 1. Card Trick Templates: Triangles 5 and 3, using three colourways. Card Trick is a block design based on nine squares, called a nine-patch. А. Cut out the templates as detailed in Five Easy Steps. The use of interfacing is optional. B. Assemble each of the nine patches by joining the pieces as illustrated. The smallest triangles are joined first, then joined to the larger triangles. С. When all nine patches are assembled, sew them together into three strips of three. Finally join these three steps together. Complete the cushion by adding a border and backing fabric as detailed earlier. 2.