BLOG 372

Blog 372

 
MIX AND MATCH CUSHION

1 Trim all the squares to 10 ½”. Use a square ruler, laying its diagonal line along the centre diagonal seam of the block.  Cut on 2 adjacent sides and remove the excess fabric. Rotate the block and place the trimmed edges along the marked 10 ½” line on the ruler. Cut the remaining two sides.

             Match the diagonals
 
 

              Cut 2 sides 
 


             Align edges and ruler
 
Once the blocks are trimmed they are ready to put together. There are two possible layouts and the second one is the most interesting for this project.
 

            Not like this 

            Like this
 

My joining strips for the Xmas side is the reverse side of one of my Xmas fabrics; this one is cut at 1”. The strip for the other side is cut at 1 ½”.
 


                 Xmas strip 1” strip 
  

                Alternative strip 1 ½” strip 
2 Place the 1” joining strip RS down along the edge to be sewn (remember I am using the reverse of my fabric!). Pin this in place. AT THE SAME TIME place the joining strip for the other side along the same edge with RS together. This means that the strips are sandwiching the block. Sew a very accurate ¼” seam to attach these strips.

               Pin RS together 
 
            Add second strip
 
  

             Accurate seam2 Open out the 1” seam so that it covers the sewing line and place this RS down along the correct edge of the next block. Pin this in place and sew with a very accurate ¼” seam.
 

            RS together on next block 

            Accurate seam 2 
3 On the WS you will see that these seams have pulled the raw edges together so that they meet in the middle. Press over the wider strip to cover these edges and turn under a small seam allowance so that the line of stitches is covered. Hand stitch with an invisible stitch to close the seam. Place it back into sequence. 

            Raw edges together  
            Cover the seam
 
 





              Turn under and hand sew
 

Repeat this process to join the second pair of blocks to each other. Then use the longer strips to join two squares to two squares to finish the cover ready for binding.