Helen Philipps - Pretty Patchwork Cushions & Pillows: 3 Sewing, Patchwork and Applique Designs for Cushions and Pillows

This bright and fresh patchwork cushion is made using scraps of my favourite floral prints, which look so colourful and vibrant against the contrasting white patches. The appliqu hearts are so easy to create using simple templates and Bondaweb (iron-on interfacing). The cushion cover is an envelope type, where two pieces of fabric overlap at the centre of the cover along the length of the cushion back. You can have fun adding bold and unusual buttons to the back of the cushion as a little surprise for when it is turned over.

For the patchwork

18 pieces of assorted floral fabrics, 7.5cm (3in) square plus seam allowance

18 pieces of white fabric, 7.5cm (3in) square plus seam allowance

18 small pieces of floral fabric for the hearts, at least 4cm (1in) square

Bondaweb (iron-on interfacing)

Red embroidery cotton

Coloured embroidery cotton to match the heart fabrics

For the backing

Two pieces of floral fabric, one 47 21cm (18 8in) plus seam allowance and one 47 31cm (18 12in) plus seam allowance

Cushion pad, 46cm (18in) square

Three decorative buttons (optional)

Finished size: 46cm (18in) square

If you prefer, you can alternatively use the English paper piecing method to construct your patchwork.

Take the 18 pieces of assorted floral fabrics and 18 pieces of white fabric, each measuring 7.5cm (3in) square. Lay out the patchwork squares, alternating between the floral and white fabrics until you are happy with your arrangement.

Join up the squares in rows beginning with the first pair, taking care to line the edges up carefully (a). Stitch with a 6mm (in) seam allowance using matching embroidery cotton.

Join the rows together, placing a pin between the corners of each square and the next to align the squares correctly (b). Press the patchwork carefully.

Copy a variety of heart shapes (see ) onto card. You will need 18 hearts of varying shapes and sizes.

Take the small pieces of floral fabric that you wish to use for the hearts and apply Bondaweb (iron-on interfacing) onto the back of each scrap. Place the heart templates on the back of each fabric scrap and draw around with a pencil.

(A)

Cut out a heart shape and place on one of the white fabric squares. Iron in place and sew around with blanket stitch using matching embroidery cotton. Repeat for each appliqu heart.

(B)

Finish off the decoration by stitching a row of running stitch around each heart using two strands of red embroidery cotton. Press the patchwork carefully.

Take the piece of backing fabric measuring 47 31cm (18 12in) plus seam allowance, fold one long side in by 6mm (in) and hem. Press and place over the smaller piece of backing fabric, aligning the edges carefully. Pin in place (c).

(C)

Place the backing fabric pieces and the patchwork front piece right sides together and pin in place (d). Sew around all four sides of the cushion.

Trim the seams and clip the corners to reduce thickness. Remove the pins holding the two back pieces in place along the centre back.

Turn the cushion right way out and press the seams. Fold the centre back pieces neatly and add three buttons for decoration along the fold line. Insert a 46cm (18in) square cushion pad into the opening on the back of the cushion.

(D)

For a pretty finishing touch, add some interesting buttons to the back of your cushion.

This homely design featuring a pretty polka dot house surrounded by flowers is created using log cabin effect patchwork and appliqu techniques. The patchwork method is surprisingly simple to achieve and by using different coloured strips of floral fabric, the pillow is given a contemporary twist that suitably frames the charming house design within it. This delightful pillow would make the perfect housewarming gift for a friend, or why not keep it for yourself and use it to brighten up a corner of your own home?

White fabric (for patchwork foundation), 28 26.5cm (11 10in)

White fabric, 10cm (4in) square

Floral stripe backing fabric, 28 26.5cm (11 10in)

Two strips of green floral fabric, 5 13cm (2 5in) and 5 8.5cm (2 3in) plus seam allowance

Two strips of blue floral fabric, 5 13cm (2 5in) and 5 18cm (2 7in) plus seam allowance

Two strips of yellow floral fabric, 5 21.5cm (2 8in) and 5 17cm (2 6in) plus seam allowance

Two strips of pink floral fabric, 5 22cm (2 8in) and 5 26cm (2 10in) plus seam allowance

Scraps of dotty and stripy fabric for the appliqu

Embroidery cotton to match the appliqu fabrics

Bondaweb (iron-on interfacing) One yellow spotty button

Cushion pad, 27 25.5cm (10 10in)

Finished size: 27 25.5cm (10 10in)

Take the 10cm (4in) square of white fabric and carefully press with an iron.

Apply Bondaweb (iron-on interfacing) to the back of the dotty and stripy fabrics that you wish to use for your appliqu house.

Trace the templates for the house, roof and chimney (see ) and transfer them onto thin card. Cut out the card and use these shapes to draw around to make your house.

Use the templates to cut out a small rectangle of plain turquoise fabric for the window and a small rectangle of stripy fabric for the door. Cut out the roof and chimney shapes from stripy fabric.