Scrappy Cushion with built in bubbles!

Cushions can transform a room. We have had this conversation before but it still holds true. If you have summery cushions and wintery ones, you can alter the whole feel of your living space to suit the seasons.

And they are cheap. You can buy a cheap cushion in Ikea or a discount store and make it over using scraps of fabric. I have had a square cushion on my sofa for some time and although the cover is quite nice, I am sick of it so it is change time!

Here is what I used to get the job done...

- an assortment of fabric scraps which sort of went together. the scraps have to be big enough to get squares 11.5 cm x 11.5 cm.

- some plain fabrics which coordinate well

- a cushion insert 

- 279 cotton mix wadding 80/20 by Vlieseline

- fabric for the cushion back

Your usual sewing and quilting needs

You will need this template to make the bubble pattern on the cushion and I have provided some measurements so that you can be sure that the printed size is correct....

Make a template from it that you can draw around - thin card or template plastic does the trick. You will see that there are a few sizes on the template sheet? And they are numbered in order of size. The trick to this is to choose a pair (1 and 2 or  2 and 3) and then use the smaller of the two to draw the cut out from the square and the larger of the two to cut your quarter circle insert piece.

This way, you can put different sized bubbles onto your project!

When you have that sorted out, start cutting your squares. I have deliberately not given actual amounts of squares so that you can use any cushion. Don't worry, this isn't hard. Just measure your cushion and make the little quiltlet to form the front and back the same size.

To make the bubble squares, you need four quarter units like this one...

They are joined together and sewn like this....

To make a quarter unit, take one of your squares and using the smaller of the two quarter circles, draw around and cut out the shape from one corner...

Go to your solid and cut out a quarter circle using the larger of the two shapes...

Crease both pieces in half to find the centre...

Now pin at the centre with the right sides together and the creases matching up. It doesn't look as though it will work does it? Well have faith and carry on!

Now pin the extreme edges....

Manipulate and coerce the fabric until you can pin it all along....

Use LOTS of pins! Now sew the curve and remove the pins. Iron the quarter circle unit and you will have something like this.....

When you press the unit, press the seam towards the original square like this...

Make another three with different coloured squares but the same colour plain...

Sew them together and add into the mix of squares at random. Make a couple more and place them as you sew to get a nice pattern. Here is what you have when the top is finished and pressed.....

Lay this top onto a piece of wadding which is slightly larger than the patched panel....

I am using the new 80/20 cotton wadding from Vlieseline and as usual with their products, I am a little bit in love!! It is so soft and snugly. It quilts beautifully too and feels luxe.

Pin it well and quilt with your choice of pattern. I have Machine quilted mine on my beautiful Janome Horizon with a dual feed foot. 

The choice of pattern is a simple 2.5 cm square grid

Did you notice the angled bar that comes with the dual feed foot? This helps me to get the quilting straight without using 64,892 water soluble markers drawing the guidelines all over the quilt top.

Simply sew one line and then let the bar run along it as you sew the second.

Trim the cushion top. The back of the cushion in my case is made from strips, joined together and then quilted the same way as the front....

Because I am using scraps, I did not have enough of one piece to make a whole cloth back but it really doesn't matter. Use what you have.

Now place the two trimmed pieces together with the right sides touching and pin.

Sew all around the outer edge, leaving a gap to insert the cushion. Turn out through the gap and put the cushion in. Close the gap by hand.

All done! Now go and transform your living space!

Love and hugs

Debbie xxx