Beginner's Guide to Quilting - UK (2020-02)

6

Appliqué the loose print petals onto the
remaining white squares, again in
random positions. This is Block B (Fig 6).

7

Appliqué the remaining eight print petals
onto the two 16½in x 10in backing pieces
as desired (Fig 7).

ASSEMBLING THE CUSHION FRONT

8

Lay out the A and B blocks in four rows
of four, alternating print and white
blocks. Sew the blocks together in pairs,
pressing the seams towards the print fabric.
This will help you nest the seams together
for perfect corners (Figs 8 and 9).

9

Sew the pairs of blocks together to make
four Four-Patch blocks as shown, and
then sew these together (Fig A).

QUILTING

10

Make a quilt sandwich by placing the
20in square of lining fabric at the
bottom, then the batting and then the
patchwork on top, right side up. Baste
well with pins or spray glue.

11

Quilt as desired or use the circular
quilting technique shown. To quilt
concentric circles, start by using a small
round shape as a template (a glass or roll of
tape works well) to mark the first line of
quilting in the centre of the patchwork.
Using a walking foot, sew around the

04

07

05 06

08 09

FIG A FIG B

marked circle, backstitching at the start

and finish to secure (Fig 10).

12

Decide how spaced out you’d like the

concentric circles to be and adjust the

walking foot guide to your preferred width.

Laura quilted her lines approximately ½in

apart. Sew the second circle following the first

line as a guide. Continue on, out to the edges

until the whole piece is quilted. Square up the

cushion front to 16½in square (Fig 11).

MAKING THE BINDING

13

Sew the binding strips together using

diagonal seams, placing the ends of

each strip right sides together at a right

angle and sewing corner to corner. Trim to

leave ¼in seams. Make about 100in of

binding – this will be enough for the edge

of the cushion all round plus an extra 16½in

for a nice finish to the envelope back. Press

seams open, and press the full length of the

binding in half lengthways.

MAKING UP THE COVER

14

Layer each backing piece onto its lining

equal, pin well and sew around the edges

to join together.

15

Hem one of these pieces by folding over

the long edge by about ½in and pressing

with an iron. Fold over a second time and sew

to secure, using two lines of stitching for extra

strength (Fig 12).