How to Make a Giant Patchwork Cushion

How to Make a Giant Patchwork Cushion with Optional Waterproof Bottom!

What you will need for this project:

*8 pieces of contrasting patterned fabric -
measuring 54 x 54cm each

*1 cushion pad – measuring 91 x 91cm

*Fabric scissors

* Pinking shears

*Thread to match your fabric

*Sewing machine (but you could sew this
cushion by hand if you keep your stitches tight and small)

* Eight pairs of metal poppers

*1 sq mtr of oilcloth for the waterproof bottom (optional if you are not adding the waterproof bottom)

*1mtr of white cord or ribbon (optional if you are not adding the waterproof bottom)

As I wanted my patchwork cushion to be giant I chose the largest cushion pad I could find which measured 91x91cm. I decided
that four squares of contrasting fabric per side would work really well.

Cut your fabric : I cut eight squares for each cushion (four for the front and four
for the back) each measuring 54 x 54 cm as this would allow for hemming.
See how they look on the cushion : Once the quarters were cut I placed them on to the cushion which allowed me to decide on what combination of fabric would work best on each side of the cushion.

Hem & pin fabric squares : I then double hemmed (1cm for each fold) & pinned two of the squares
together.
Sew together : These squares were then sewn together.
Repeat : I then did the same with the other two squares. Doing it this way made it easier to pin
and sew all four of the squares together, which in turn creates one side of the patchwork cushion cover.

We now move on to sewing the front and back panels together, thus creating the entire cushion cover.

Putting the cushion together : Having sewn together the four pieces of fabric for both the front and back of the cushion (eight pieces in total), they were pinned together inside out so that once sewn together and turned back the right way, it would create a neat and tidy
finish and the cushion pad could easily be slipped into the envelope that has now been created.

TIP : Remember to sew just three of the sides together, leaving the fourth side open
for the poppers to be added.

*AT THIS POINT – If you would like to be able to add a removable waterproof bottom of oilcloth so that your cushion can go on to wet or damp grass without spoiling remember that you will need
to leave two small openings (approximately 2cm each) at the bottom two corners when sewing your two cushion sides together (the top two corners will be open anyway for the cushion pad to go through & poppers to be attached) so the
ribbon can be added; this is necessary so you can tie the oil cloth to the
cushion. *

Get ready : Once all three sides were sewn together I
turned the cushion the right way in. I was then ready to add the poppers.

Add the poppers : When adding the poppers sew them
along the hem. I used eight pairs of
poppers each spaced about 12cm apart on a cushion the size of this one.

Your cushion is now finished. If you left gaps in the fabric for ties to be added to use a waterproof bottom cover for your cushion, then the instructions below will enable you to do this.

Make ties : To attach the ties that hold the waterproof bottom in place you will need to cut
four pieces of ribbon measuring 25cm each.
Attach ties : You will need to fold the ribbon in half and feed
the folded end through the hole ensuring you leave 2-3cm inside the pillowcase
which should be sewn to the cushion at the same time as stitching up the hole
(for this part you will need to turn the cushion inside out.)
Repeat : Do the same at the corners of the cushion along the side that the poppers have been sewn into place. Attaching the ribbon pieces to the inside of the
cushion.

TIP : If you are hand stitching the ties into place try
and make the stitches good and small to ensure the ties stay in place and don’t
become loose.

Cut fabric for the waterproof bottom : For the protective waterproof bottom you
will need to cut a piece of oilcloth, using pinking shears to stop fraying, which is 100 x 100 cm.

Attach the waterproof bottom : To attach the oilcloth to the cushion make four small incisions (about 1cm big) in each corner of the
cloth, 3cm in from the edge. I used a pair of sharp sturdy fabric scissors to do this.

Once you have done this, take your cushion and then thread one
piece of ribbon, from one of the corners, through one of the holes in the
oilcloth and tie together.
Do the same with the other three
corners remembering that the shiny side will be touching the ground.

You are now all set for lounging in the
garden on your giant cushion. Whatever the weather!

Footnote – I can’t post today without mentioning Michael Jackson. My favourite songs of his were ‘Billy Jean’, ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’ and ’Who Is It?’

Whether he slept in an oxygen chamber, wore a surgical mask to buy groceries or hung out with Bubbles a little too much his music could be recognised from the very first bars of each and every song. My kids will grow up and know who Michael Jackson is because of the MUSIC, they will dance to his MUSIC, his MUSIC transcends generations and trends in the charts. I’m sad that there won’t be any more.

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