Cushion cover tutorial

As if it's been a week already! Time is literally flying past this year and even though I'm having some really productive days, I can sit down to write a blog post and wonder what I've actually achieved in the past week.

I've been carrying on with my two works in progress and am adding another to the pile at the weekend as I'm doing a test knit for the fabulous Katie from Craft it like Katie. Have to admit I'm really excited about it; it's my first time doing a test knit for someone other than myself (can you do a test knit for yourself?) and I'm hoping that it will help me develop my knowledge and skills even further as I offer to do more.

So for this week, as I'm trying to save finished projects for one monthly blog post and thereby reduce the pressure to finish something every week, I thought I'd share how I made the cushion covers I finished last month.

Cushion Cover Tutorial

Step 1: I made the front of the cushion cover first by cutting eight 2.5 inch wide strips and two 1.25 inch wide strips of the fabric I wanted to use. Each of the strips was 18 inches long. Using a 0.25 inch seam allowance I joined the strips together along the longest sides in the pattern I wanted for the front of the cushion cover. I then did a line of top stitching on either side of the fabric strips to give the impression of quilting without actually quilting the cover. The final measurements for the front cover were 18 x 18 inches

Step 2: I then constructed the back of the cushion. I cut out two panels to create the envelop backing: these were 18 x 13 and 18 x 14 inches. I turned a small double hem and top stitched two rows of stitching to secure. I used two rows as I prefer the way this looks and I also find that it stops any curling of the edges. I'll confess that I didn't press the hems before sewing them (I was being very lazy) but I'd recommend that you do this before stitching - it gives a cleaner edge and can often make it easier to sew too. 

Step 3: I then pinned the three pieces of the cushion, right sides facing, together. You will have a reasonably sized overlap on the back of the cushion with the two pieces of fabric that form the cushion back. When pinning you need to make sure that all the raw edges are together, and the two hemmed sides of the cushion cover back are towards the middle to create the opening. (stupidly I didn't take a photo of this step). You then sew all the way around the cushion cover with a 0.25 inch seam allowance. 

Step 4: Finally, very carefully trim the corners of your cushion cover (inside the seam allowance) removing a small triangle at each corner. Turn your cushion cover the right way round and voila! A finished cushion cover of your own creation 😀

Right that's me for the week. I'm off to carry on with my works in progress and plan something exciting that I'm hoping to launch in the next few months. Have a great weekend, a fabulous week and I'll see you next Friday.

Until next time,

M x