How to make a curved patchwork cushion – free sewing pattern

How to make a curved patchwork cushion – free sewing pattern

Have you spied Donna McLeod's stunning Spots and Stripes quilt pattern in issue 92 of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine? Luckily for us, Donna's put together a bonus patchwork cushion sewing pattern for those who are new to piecing curves or need a quick stitch fix!

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Donna Mcleod

Published: November 25, 2020 at 10:58 am

Piece together simple curves to make a cushion that will add instant style to your home! This cute patchwork cushion sewing pattern is a bonus project from the team behind Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine to accompany the Spots and Stripes throw quilt by Donna McLeod in issue 92. It's the perfect way to ease into curved piecing or indulge in some afternoon sewing! If you're new to quilting, check out our quilting for beginners guide and tutorial for how to bind a quilt. Scroll down to find Donna's step by step guide to how to make a simple curved patchwork cushion cover below.

Did you know this project is also compatible with's Love Patchwork & Quilting's new Circle Cutting Tool from issue 91? Just use the 7½in slots to cut the Quarter Circles and the 6½in slots to cut the Arcs. Check out issue 92 for Donna's full quilt and plenty more patchwork inspiration! You can see more of Donna's work at xoxsew.com or follow her on Instagram @xoxsew!

How to make a simple curved patchwork cushion

Fabric requirements

  • Fabric A (white): 3/8yd
  • Fabric B (polka dot): ¼yd
  • Fabric C (red): one (1) fat sixteenth
  • Fabric D (light pink): one (1) fat sixteenth
  • Binding fabric: ¼yd
  • Backing fabric: ½yd
  • Batting: 24in square

Finished size

20in square

Notes

  • Seam allowances are ¼in, unless otherwise noted.
  • Press seams open, unless otherwise instructed.
  • Templates include seam allowances, where necessary.
  • RST = right sides together.
  • WOF = width of fabric.
  • Download four Free Curved Patchwork Cushion Templates (PDF) to get started

You will need:

  • Fabric (See fabric requirements) (For the cushion top, backing and binding)
  • Wadding (24in square)
  • Sewing machine
  • Thread
  • Basic quilting kit

Cutting out

Step 1

From Fabric A cut:

  • Eight (8) 4½in squares. Subcut four (4) into Quarter Circles and four (4) into Arcs.
  • One (1) 4½in x 20½in.
  • Two (2) 4¼in x 2½in.
  • One (1) 4¼in x 1½in.

Step 2

From Fabric B cut:

  • Four (4) 4½in squares. Subcut into Arcs.
  • One (1) 9in x 20½in.
  • Two (2) 4¼in x 2½in.
  • One (1) 4¼in x 1½in.

Step 3

From each of Fabrics C and D cut:

  • Two (2) 4½in squares. Subcut into Quarter Circles.

Step 4

From the backing fabric cut:

  • Two (2) 20in x 13½in.

Step 5

From the binding fabric cut:

  • Three (3) 2½in x WOF.

Piecing the circle blocks

Step 1

Fold a quarter circle and an arc in half to mark the centre. Then, fold the ends of each piece to the centre crease for a total of three crease marks. Place an arc on top of a quarter circle, RST, matching up the center crease. Secure with a pin. Align the edge of the quarter circle with the edge of the arc and secure each end with a pin. Match the remaining crease marks and secure with a pin for a total of five pins. Slowly sew the two pieces together along the curve, aligning the edges and removing the pins as you sew. Pivot as needed to avoid puckering. Press seams open. 

Step 2

Trim each block to 4¼in square, making sure the curved edges are 1/4in from the block edges. Sew the blocks together in pairs, then sew the pairs together to make two circles.

Assembling the cushion top

Step 1

Join the Fabric A and B 4¼in x 1½in strips along the short edges. Repeat with each of the Fabric A and B 4¼in x 2½in strips.

Step 2

Referring carefully to the Layout Diagram, arrange the strips and circle blocks in one column. The Fabric A part of the circles should be on the right, while the Fabric A part of the strips should be arranged on the left side. Sew the strips and blocks in one column.Modern Circle Cushion Layout Diagram

Step 3

Join the remaining Fabric A piece to the left of the circle column. Join the remaining Fabric B piece to the right of the circle column. Press seams open. 

Quilting and finishing

Step 1

Place batting underneath the cushion top, right side up. Baste and quilt the layers together using your preferred method. Donna quilted horizontal straight lines.

Step 2

Take one cushion back piece and press under ½in along one long edge. Press under ½in again to enclose the raw edge. Topstitch in place to hem. Repeat with the other cushion back piece. 

Step 3

Place cushion top and backing pieces, WST, making sure the hemmed edges of the backing pieces overlap to create an envelope. Pin and baste around the edges. 

Step 4

Join the binding strips together, end-to-end using diagonal seams. Press seams open and trim away the dog ears, then fold in half lengthwise, WST, and press. 

Step 5

Sew the binding to the front of the cushion, folding a miter at each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the quilt and either machine or hand stitch in place to finish. 
Free Curved patchwork cushion sewing pattern

Where can I get the quilt pattern?

Get your hands on a copy of issue 92 for an in-depth curved piecing tutorial and to make the full throw-size quilt pattern by Donna McLeod! It’s still available to buy as a digital issue through our Love Patchwork & Quilting app.

Modern Circle Quilt Pattern

Donna Mcleod

Modern quilt designer

Quilt designer Donna only started sewing a few years ago, but makes sure she sews every day now to make up for all the time that she didn’t! She has been designing quilt patterns for two years and sells her eye-catching modern PDF quilt patterns and homemade quilts on her website www.xoxsew.com.
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