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DIY patchwork Christmas wreath cushion
Use Foundation Paper Piecing techniques to create a scrap-friendly Christmas wreath cushion for your favourite chair with our patchwork Christmas wreath DIY by Kristina Brinkerhoff
Transform fabric scraps into a patchwork Christmas cushion that will become a family heirloom every holiday season with our step-by-step guide to sewing a festive wreath. This project uses Foundation Paper Piecingto cleverly combine your fabrics into a modern festive favourite. If you've never tried it before, head to our Beginner's Guide to Foundation paper piecing to learn the ropes.
Christmas Wreath Foundation Paper Piecing templates
Backing fabric is Green and White Gingham from the Vintage Holiday collection by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.
Finished size
18in square
Choose a variety of low volume fabrics to build a backdrop for the wreath
Christmas patchwork wreath tutorial
You will need:
Cotton fabric (An assortment of green scraps for the wreath)
Cotton fabric (Low volume prints: ½yd total)
Cotton fabric (Red fabric: 10in x 5in)
Cotton fabric (Lining fabric: 24in square)
Wadding (24in square)
Cotton fabric (For the backing – ½yd)
Cotton fabric (For the binding – ¼yd)
Fusible web (5in x 10in)
Cutting out
Step 1
From the low volume prints cut:
Two (2) 5in x 12½in strips.
Two (2) 5in x 22in strips.
Four (4) pieces using Template A.
Four (4) pieces using Template D.
Step 2
From the backing fabric cut two (2) 18in x 12in rectangles.
Step 3
From the binding fabric cut two (2) 2½in x WOF strips.
Foundation Paper Piecing
Step 1
Using the template as a guide, cut the fabric pieces for Sections B and C of the FPP template, making sure the pieces will be at least ¼in larger than the section they will cover, all the way around.
Step 2
Foundation Paper Piece Section B as follows. Place the fabric piece for Section 1B right side up on the unprinted side of the template against the relevant section. Ensure that the fabric covers the whole section, plus at least ¼in all around. Pin in place.
Step 3
Place the Section 2B fabric piece right side down on top of the Section 1B piece, matching up raw edges on the side where Sections 1 and 2 will be joined, and making sure that when folded back along the seam line, Section 2 will be covered by the fabric plus at least ¼in all around. Pin in place.
Step 4
Turn the template over to the printed side and stitch along the marked line between Sections 1 and 2, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam. Fold the template away from the seam and trim to ¼in. Fold the template back, turn the work to the fabric side, flip Section 2 open and then press.
Step 5
Continue working in this way to piece the remaining sections on the FPP template, in numerical order. Trim along the dotted seam allowance line.
Step 6
Repeat steps 4–8 to piece each of Templates B and C, Sections 1–9. Remove the paper templates from the backs, tearing along the seam lines.
Piecing the blocks
Step 1
Take one each of template pieces A, B, C and D (Fig A).
Figure A
Fold each piece in half to mark the centre point. Place the Template B piece on top of the Template A piece, matching the creases and ends, and pin in place. Ease along the curve and pin together along these points (Fig B).
Figure B
Step 2
Sew the pieces together along the curved edge, removing the pins as you go. Press seams towards the Template A piece (Fig C).
Step 3
Repeat steps 10–11 to join the Template C piece to the curved unit. Press the seam open. Then join the Template D piece to the unit and press seams towards the Template D piece. Trim to 6½in square.
Step 4
Repeat steps 10–12 to make four complete curve blocks. Sew the units in pairs to create a top and bottom half. Press seams open. Sew the two halves together to complete the wreath. Trim to 12½in square.
Raw edge appliqué
Step 1
Trace the Bow template onto the paper side of the fusible web. Fuse to the reverse of your red fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Cut out the pieces along the marked lines.
Step 2
Fuse the bow to the front of the wreath, referring to the finished photo as a guide. Stitch around the outer edge of each piece, using a coordinating thread.
Adding the borders
Step 1
Sew the two background 5in x 12½in strips to either side of the wreath block. Press seams towards the border strips. Sew the two background 5in x 22in strips to the top and bottom of the wreath block. Press the seams towards the background strips and trim any excess border that extends beyond the edges of the block.
Quilting the cushion cover
Step 1
Make a quilt sandwich by placing the lining fabric right side down, the batting on top, then place the cushion front centrally and right side up. Baste the layers together using your preferred method. Quilt as desired. Kristina quilted straight lines, approximately ½in apart. Trim off the excess batting and backing fabric and square up the cushion front to 18in square.
Finishing
Step 1
Take the two 18in x 12in backing pieces. On each piece, press one of the 18in sides over ¼in toward the wrong side, then ¼in again so the raw edge is concealed. Top stitch to secure the folded hem in place.
Step 2
Place the quilted cushion front face down on the work surface. Place the envelope back pieces right sides up on top of the quilted cushion, aligning the raw edges of the two envelope back pieces with the outer edges of the quilted piece, and overlapping the top stitched edges in the middle. Secure the envelope back pieces
in place with pins. Sew the two overlapped envelope backs to the quilted cushion
piece 1/8in away from the edge.
Step 3
Join the binding strips together end-to-end using a diagonal seam. Press the seam open, fold the binding strips in half lengthwise, WST, and press.
Step 4
Sew the binding strip onto the front of the cushion cover, creating a neat mitre in each corner. Fold the binding over to the back of the cushion cover and hand stitch in place to finish.
About Kristina Brinkerhoff
Since falling in love with quilting in her teens, Kristina enjoys writing patterns and freemotion quilting. See more of her work at centerstreetquilts.com or on instagram @centerstreetquilts
Since falling in love with quilting in her teens, self-declared 'neat freak' Kristina loves writing patterns and free motion quilting. She runs the hugely popular Etsy quilt pattern shop, Center Street Quilts – where you can explore her colourful quilt patterns featuring clever piecing and eye-catching, contemporary designs. You can find more of her work on her blog www.centerstreetquilts.com – where she shares quilt inspiration, tips and tutorials.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/centerstreetquilts
Etsy: https://instagram.com/charmaboutyou
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centerstreetquilts
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/centerstreetquilts/
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