Today's Quilter - UK (2019-07)

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PROJECT l summer badger cushion

Notes
*Based on a minimum width of 42in

excluding selvedge
QRead pattern in full before starting.
QPress all fabric well before starting.

QAll templates are drawn in reverse.
QWOF – width of fabric.
QRS – right side.

QWS – wrong side.
QRST – right sides together.

QWST – wrong sides together.

Fig 1

tension is correct. Use the

same thread in the top and

bottom of your machine for

smoother stitches.

QWhen stitching around shapes,

don’t use a thread that is the

same colour or lighter than

the fabric you are stitching

(you will just see the needle

holes). Try dark brown or dark

grey thread, as it will stand out,

but it won’t look too harsh (like

black would).

There are two options for

stitching this project:

1

Use a walking foot with the

feed dogs up and a reduced

straight stitch length, then simply

stitch around the shapes. You

will get a uniform stitch length

but, note that due to the size

of the project, you will need to

keep lifting the foot and rotating

the work to stop the fabric from

distorting.

2

Use an open toe free-motion

foot with the feed dogs down.

Make sure the foot is just lightly

resting on your work rather than

in the air or pressing down hard.

As the feed dogs are down you can

move the fabric in any direction to

“draw” (the needle will stitch on

the spot until you move the fabric).

You will need to establish a balance

between the speed of your sewing

machine and how quickly you move

the fabric.

QWhen quilting, it is important

that your stitch length is even

and curved lines are smooth,

but less so with raw edge

appliqué. If you like a “sketchy”

finish or if your lines are a little

wobbly, go around the shape

twice. Don’t worry if some

stitches are long and others are

short – it all adds to the eect.

QStitch as close to the edge of the

fabric shape as possible without

going onto the backing fabric.

If your stitching is too far from

the edge of the fabric, peel

back and trim o excess. If you

are unhappy with an area of

stitching, unpick and trim o the

threads close to your work. Re-

sew, making sure to go over the

cut ends to secure.

QIf your project is going to get

a lot of wear and tear, tie o

the threads at the back of the

work. If it's for more decorative

purposes, make a few stitches

and trim o the top thread close

to the front of the work. Stitch

back over this end once you’ve

sewn around the shape, then

trim it o close to the fabric.

Fig 2A Fig 2B