Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Spiral cushion

Stitch a dinky Log Cabin pincushion to keep

your sewing supplies safe! By Rebecca Reid

T

his cute pincushion is a great
stash buster – a fun way to make
use of the ends of favourite
fabrics or pieces that have been
hanging around in your fabric box for
too long! This particular block design
is known as a Log Cabin (for more on
this, see page 109). Choose random
colours and patterns for an eclectic
look, or emphasise the spiral shape of
the blocks by gradually increasing the
depth of the shade. The finished
project will make a great gift for a
crafty friend, or a fun addition to your
own sewing kit.

CUTTING OUT
Start by cutting out the following sized
pieces from cotton fabric. See our
diagram^1 to check the block
arrangement:
1: 1½x1½in (3.5x3.5cm)
2: 1¼x1½in (3x3.5cm)
3: 1¼x 2¼ i n ( 3 x 5. 5 c m )
4: 1¼x 2¼ i n ( 3 x 5. 5 c m )
5: 1¼x3in (3x7.5cm)
6: 1¼x3in (3x7.5cm)
7: 1¼x3¾in (3x9.5cm)
8: 1¼x3¾in (3x9.5cm)
9: 1¼x4½in (3 x 11.5cm)
Cushion back: 4½x4½in (11x11cm)

ASSEMBLING THE FRONT
Step 1 Use a ¼in (6mm) seam
allowance throughout when you join
the fabric pieces together. After you
have stitched each seam press the
seams open, then to one side. To start,
place piece 1 and piece 2 right sides
together and stitch.

Step 2 Now take piece 3 and place it
right sides together across the right-
hand edge of pieces 1 and 2, and
stitch together.

Step 3 C o nt i n u e to fo l l ow t h e l a yo u t
diagram opposite in number order to
see how the pieces fit perfectly
together. Stitch each join slowly and
carefully until the whole top is

YOU WILL NEED

Materials

Q Basic quilting kit, see page 16

Q Cotton fabric: small pieces

for front and back.

Q Co-ordinating thread

Q Soft toy stuffing to fill

Seam allowance

Q ¼in (6mm)

Finished size

Q 4x4in (10.5x10.5cm)

assembled as shown. Press with a hot

iron as you go to keep the lines neat.

DECORATING THE PATCHWORK

Step 4 Trace over the scissors outline

on to a piece of plain paper, using the

template overleaf. Alternatively find

the outline of another simple shape

that suits your design. Place this

centrally under piece 1 and trace over

it in pencil. If you can’t see the design

through the fabric, then tape both to a

window so the light shines through.

Step 5 Thread a needle with one

strand of stranded cotton using a

co-ordinating colour that’s also dark

e n o u g h to s h ow u p o n t h e fa b r i c. V

Working with Blocks

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 111

Choose random colours for an eclectic look,

or emphasise the spiral shape of the blocks by

gradually increasing the depth of the shade...

1

8

95

4

1

6

3 7

2