Ombré Cushion Sew Along Part Two: Piecing the Cushion Front

Welcome to part two of our Ombré Cushion Cover Sew Along. This is where the fun really begins.

By now you will have selected your fabric, so let's just jump straight in. Many of these tips can be used with almost any quilt piecing or sewing project.

Keeping your strips in order
One of the biggest issues with this cushion cover is keeping the eleven strips in order. I won't tell you how many times I've managed to sew the wrong pieces together. Here are two suggestions for keeping your order (and sanity):

As you will see, this is a terribly sophisticated, technologically advanced system...but it's worth every penny. Number the strips. You don't need anything fancy for this. Paper, pen and a pin or clip.  This is a great idea to keep rows together when piecing a quilt too.

Sophisticated Ordering System - Number Your Strips

You can also simply place a pin/clip on the bottom edge of the first strip. You know if you see the pin then you're sewing on the wrong side. This isn't quite as foolproof as the idea above, but it does take less time.

Add a pin/clip to the bottom of strip 1

Sewing long strips
People often have issues with fabric puckering when sewing long strips together. Here are few tips to help prevent this:

• Cut the strips to the same length. This way, you know exactly where each should start and end so you're less inclined to overstretch one of the strips.

• Pin the strips. Yes, it takes a little longer, but it's worth it. I start with a pin in the center to show the halfway mark, then again at the center of each half (to make a quarter) and so on depending on the length of the strip. I still prefer minimal pins, but if you like to use a lot then go right ahead.

• Alternate the end in which you start sewing. For example, start sewing strips one and two from the beginning. When you add strip three, turn the unit around and start sewing from the end. I've not actually tried this technique, but people swear by it.

Making the 'big cut' on a smaller mat or with scissors
You will find that some of the units you need to cut are quite long. They may even be longer than your ruler or cutting mat. The best way to deal with is is to simply draw a line to follow before cutting. Then you can place the unit on your cutting mat, cut as far along as you can, stop and drag the unit down so the next section is on the cutting mat, then cut again until you're finished. Of course, you could do this with scissors, or without drawing the line first too. It's really up to you and the technique you're comfortable with.

Trimming the unit
I mentioned this in part one of the sew along, but it's worth discussing again. There is not a lot of margin for error when trimming your final unit so please don't start slicing off edges until you're sure of where to cut.

See the red lines in the image below? That's the 14 1/2'' trimming space. As you can see, there's not a lot of fabric before you reach the triangles.

Trimming space

You will trim on, or very close, to the triangles. It's OK if it's not exactly 14 1/2''. Just try and be as close as possible.

Trim close to the triangles 

This concludes part two of the sew along. Hopefully you will have as much fun making this cushion as I do.

Remember to include your gorgeous creation to be in the running for a $20 gift voucher from The Oz Material Girls. The details can be found here: Ombré Cushion Cover Sew Along.

Thanks again. I'm really looking forward to seeing your creations in our Facebook Group and on Instagram, using the hashtag #sewtodaypattern.

Embroidery Hoop Organiser Tutorial

I can't remember where I first saw the idea of an embroidery hoop organiser, but it's been on my to-do list for quite some time now. If there's one thing I like it's a good mix of practical and funky. Needless to say, when Leesa from Craft Boxes approached me about writing a tutorial, I didn't exactly back away quietly. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this tutorial for you chance to win your very own Sew Box from Craft Boxes.

You will need:

• Embroidery Hoop
• Batting - at least 2'' larger than the hoop
• Fabric 1
• Pocket One Fabric
• (Optional) Pocket Two Fabric
• (Optional) Felt for the back

Layout of organiser

I used fabric scraps from a previous project. As you can see in the image above, each fabric needs to be at least 2'' larger than than hoop. For the pockets, be sure to add an extra inch in length for the hem.

Step 1 - Hem the Pockets
Hem each pocket by folding down one edge 1/2'' then another 1/2'', to the wrong side. Press and sew in place.

Fold and press 1/2'' and another 1/2''

Sew the hem in place

Step 2 - Sew the Pocket One Dividers
On your table, place the Batting, Fabric 1 and Pocket One in order and with the right sides facing you. Rest the hoop on top, making sure the pocket is in the correct position. Place some tools along the pocket and pin in the gaps. Alternatively, leave out the tools, pin in the centre and about 2'' on either side of the centre.

Position the hoop on top of the layers

Pin the gaps between the tools

Remove the hoop and sew through all three layers at each pin, from the hem of the pocket to the edge. You may like to draw a straight line to follow. I winged it as I had a disagreement with my chalk recently and I'm still not talking to it. In my defense, it did mark my project and refuse to come out.

Step 3 - Add Pocket Two (Optional)
If you are adding a second pocket, place it into position about an inch or two below Pocket One. You may like to pin the layers to stop them shifting, though it's not entirely necessary.

Check the positioning of Pocket Two

Step 3 - Trim to Size
Place the hoop on top, ensuring each layer of fabric is in the correct position.  Trim around the edge, approximately 1'' from the hoop. You want enough overhang so that the fabric will easily fold to the back of the hoop.

Look....you don't even have to be neat

Step 4 - Prepare the Felt Back (Optional)
You don't necessarily need the felt back but I find it helps the hoop lie flat. Plus, it looks terribly professional.

Trace around the outside of the hoop on a piece of felt and cut it out.

Trace around the hoop

Cut out the circle

Step 5 - Finish

Place the organiser into the hoop.  Be sure everything is even and firm before tightening the hoop.

Fold the overhanging fabric to the back of the hoop and glue in place. Alternatively, hand stitch a basting stitch on the overhanging fabric. Pull it gently to gather the fabric and neatly hide it at the back of the hoop.

Glue or hand stitch your felt circle to the back.

Secure the felt to the back, with overhanging fabric hidden

Hang your fancy new organiser...then turn around and make about a dozen more because they're just too awesome.

Funky and Practical

See?...addictive

 

The lovely Leesa, from Craft Boxes, has very kindly donated one Sew Box, which is a Subscription Box from Crafty Boxes, to give away to one lucky reader. All you need to do to enter is comment below telling me what you would make for your sewing space with this month's Sew Box. Remember to include your email address so you can be contacted if you are the winner.  

What's in the August Sew Box I hear you ask? All sorts of fantastic goodies including....

• Spotty Pastels Fat Quarter Pack 6 colours 50cm x 50cm
• Heavy Weight Iron On Interfacing 90 x 1m
• Coloured Heart Pins
• Embroidery Hoop 20cm
• Toggles 4 White
• Elastic 8mm x 4m
• Bias Tape Maker 25mm 
• Rainbow Wonder Clips 14
• Spotty Heart Wood Buttons 18, assorted colours
• Birch Mini Sewing Kit
• *NEW* Ironing Board Cover Pattern by Tigerlily Patterns
•  *NEW* Machine & Overlocker Cover Pattern by TigerLily Patterns
• *NEW* Sewing Machine Mat & Pin Cushion by TigerLily Patterns 
• *NEW* Hoop Art Pattern by Molly and Mama
•  Sew Box Fabric Baskets Tutorial
• This Embroidery Hoop Organiser Tutorial 

Check out the Craft Boxes Facebook page for a picture of all the terrific goodies.

Terms and Conditions of the Competition

1. Competition is open to Australian residents only.
2. Only one comment per person.
3. Entries close at 8PM AEST on Tuesday 11th August 2015. Any comments made after this time will not be considered.
4. A winner will be selected from the entries by myself, Rachael Godfrey of Sew Today, Clean Tomorrow.
5. The winner will be announced on this blog on Wednesday 12th August 2015.
6. The winner will receive a single Sew Box, which is a Subscription Box from Craft Boxes. The prize is a single box only, not a subscription.
7. If the prize is unclaimed, it will be redrawn on Friday 6th November 2015.

Ombré Cushion Sew Along Part One: Selecting Your Fabric

Welcome to part one of our Ombré Cushion Cover Sew Along.  If you haven't already done so, now is a good time to download your free PDF pattern and visit the tutorial.

Trying to coordinate eleven strips of fabric may seem little daunting, but selecting fabric for your ombré cushion doesn't need to be a headache. I find that, due to the way the diamonds are positioned, the fabric still blends nicely even if they aren't perfectly coordinated. You'll see what I mean further down.

Here are some tips for choosing the right fabric:

• Jelly roll strips are a great start. They're already cut to 2 1/2'' and generally come in a coordinated range.

• If you have a specific piece of fabric you'd like to use and know the designer, have a look at what other fabrics came in that range. You may not necessarily choose those fabrics, but they will give you a good idea as to which colours and designs may suit.

• Pay close attention to any patterns on the fabric. While the cushion is pieced as whole strips, in reality you are still cutting 2 1/2'' squares.  What might look great as a fat quarter may not work as a 2 1/2'' square.  For example, you have a gorgeous white fabric with big orange swirls that are the perfect shade for finishing your orange layer. You start piecing only to discover that when cut, they've turned into 2 1/2'' white squares.

• It's certainly not impossible to approach this cushion with directional fabric or fussy cutting, but take care. It's easy to get turned around. I would suggest making a simple one first and, once you're comfortable with the technique, tackle something a bit more fancy pants.

• The top and bottom strips will be cut in half and fall along the edges of the cushion, so they won't be seen as much as the centre pieces. It is less important that they coordinate.

• I find that taking a photo of my selection of strips and viewing it through my camera/phone helps give me a better idea of how they will look and the order in which to place them.

Design Suggestions

I've called this the Ombré Cushion Cover because that's that design I like to use, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:

Classic Ombré 

Classic ombré design

Ombré Variation
I've never actually made this version, but I think it would look awesome. Either with a light centre, as shown here, or with a dark centre moving out to light. You would only need to find six coordinating fabrics for this version.

Ombré variation

Chevron

You could even try a non-ombré version. This chevron design was made using two strips of each fabric. I used 12 strips instead of 11 to ensure the colours were centred.

Chevron design

Director's Cut

When writing a pattern there is a fine line between too much and too little information. This means that sometimes tips we would like to include have been removed to improve the overall flow of the pattern. These are some of those tips:

• When the time comes to trim the Cushion Front to a 14 1/2'' square, you will notice that there is very little room for error at the top and bottom of the unit. In fact, you only really have enough room to slice off the triangles and nothing more (though being a squishy cushion cover, it's not a huge deal if you trim slightly smaller than the suggested 14 1/2''). If you are concerned that you may not sew accurately enough to have such a small margin of error, you may like to add a twelfth strip. It will be almost completely unused but may give you piece of mind.  If you choose to add a twelfth strip, I would suggest just repeating either your top or bottom fabric rather than trying to find another coordinating fabric that largely won't be seen.

• The 16'' length gives you a little breathing space for cutting mishaps, but not a huge amount. Only about an inch. You may want to cut the strips a little longer depending on your skill with the rotary cutter.

• Sewing long strips is not always as easy as it seems and can often end up in stretched or distorted fabric.  Cutting the strips to the same length and pinning before sewing can help reduce these issues.

Hopefully this will help you in selecting your fabric and preparing for the really fun part of piecing the cushion front.

Remember to share you fabric choices in our Facebook Group and on Instagram using the hashtag #sewtodaypattern.

Ombré Cushion Cover Sew Along and Competition

Who's ready for some fun??? To celebrate the release of my Ombré Cushion Cover Tutorial and Free PDF Pattern, I have decided to have a little sew along and competition. Hooray!!!

Over the coming days, I will release a few blog posts giving some extra little hints and tips for creating your ombré cushion cover. This includes fabric selection and suggestions to make piecing the cushion front both easy and fun. You're welcome to either sew along with me, or at your own pace.

You will also be given the opportunity to enter your gorgeous creation and be in the running to win a $20 gift voucher for The Oz Material Girls.

Important dates

Wednesday 5th August, 2015

Announce Sew Along and Competition

Competition Entry Opens

Thursday 6th August, 2015

Fabric Selection Blog Post

Saturday 8th August, 2015

Hints for Piecing the Cushion Front

Saturday 15th August, 2015 (8PM AEST)

Competition  Entry Closes

Pattern and tutorial links
You are welcome to use either the tutorial or PDF pattern for your cushion (or both). The tutorial contains photographs to complement the written instructions while the PDF pattern contains diagrams.

Ombré Cushion Cover Tutorial
Ombré Cushion Cover Free PDF Pattern

This Competition has closed. The winner is cushion number 3. Foxfield 2 Ombre Cushion Cover.  Congratulations and thanks to all who entered.

Who can enter the competition?
The competition is open to Australian residents only.

Can I sew along without joining the competition?
Absolutely. You are more than welcome to sew along and show off your creations in my Facebook Group or on Instagram using the hashtag #sewtodaypattern. In fact,I encourage it.

How do I enter?
You can enter the competition using the Link-up below. Remember to include your name, email address (kept private) and a great photo of your creation.

Please email me at sewtodaycleantomrrow@gmail.com if you have any issues with your entry.

An InLinkz Link-up

Terms and Conditions of the Competition

1. The cushion(s) entered must be made using the Ombré Cushion Cover PDF Pattern or Tutorial.
2. Only one cushion per entry and a single cushion can only be entered once. You are welcome to submit as many different cushions, each with it's own entry, as you wish.
3. Competition is open to Australian residents only.
4. Entries close at 8PM AEST on Saturday 15th August 2015.
5. A winner will be selected from the entries included in the InLinkz Link-up on this post, by Louise from The Oz Material Girls.
6. The winner will be announced on this blog post on Monday 17th August 2015.
7. The winner will receive a $20 gift voucher for The Oz Material Girls.
8. If the prize is not claimed by 8PM Friday 20th November 2015, a new winner will be announced.

Once you have completed your cushion, I'd love for you to share your photos in my Craftsy store (as a Finished Project). I'd really appreciate if you could take the time to leave a review while you're there. You can also show off your cushion in my Facebook Group or on Instagram using the hashtag #sewtodaypattern.

Please share this post with friends, family, or in your favourite sewing groups. The more the merrier.

Ombré Cushion Cover Tutorial

If you've been following me for a while you'll know how much I love this cushion cover. You may even recognise it from the now retired Quilted Cushion Cover Tutorial I wrote quite some time ago. I decided it was time to release this great pattern as a free PDF, so I took the opportunity and jazzed up the tutorial too.

The free PDF pattern can be found here: Ombré Cushion Cover Free PDF Pattern

This tutorial and free PDF pattern are made possible due to the sponsorship of the fabulous team over at The Oz Material Girls.

You will need:

• Eleven 2 ½’’ x 16'' coordinating strips of fabric for the Cushion Front. Strips from a jelly roll are great for this project.
• Two 14 ½’’ x 10 ½’’ rectangles for the Cushion Back.
• Size 14 cushion (36cm x 36cm).
• (Optional) Batting, approximately 16'' x 16''.
• (Optional) Scrap fabric for quilting the Cushion Front, slightly larger than the batting. This will end up on the inside of the cushion so it doesn't need to be anything fancy.

Step One – Piecing the Cushion Front
Use a ¼’’ seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

Decide on the order in which you would like the strips to appear on the Cushion Front. E.g. darkest to lightest. I find taking a photo and viewing it through my camera phone can really help when making decisions with fabric.

With right sides together, sew the eleven 2 ½’’ x 16’’ strips, in order, along the long edge. Pinning the strips prior to sewing can help prevent them stretching.

Note: I recommend using a smaller than normal stitch length to help keep the stitches in place when you sub-cut them later. There is no need to backstitch at the start or end of the strips.

Sew the strips in order

Press each seam in alternating directions. E.g. press seam one up, seam two down, seam three up etc.

I apologise for the different fabric in the next two images. My original photos were not clear enough and it seemed like a waste to redo the entire tutorial for the sake of two photos.

Press the seams in alternating directions.

Trim one edge to square up the unit. 

Note: Aligning the horizontal lines of your ruler with the seam lines will help with keeping the cut straight.

Trim the edge, using the seamlines as a guide

Flip the unit so that the trimmed edge is to the left (this may be reversed if you’re left-handed). Sub-cut into six 2 ½’’ strips. Again, align the horizontal lines of your ruler with the seam lines.

Sub-cut 2 1/2'' strips using the seamlines as a guide

Six 2 1/2'' strips

Take two strips and stagger them so that the first seam of one strip is in line with the second seam of the next strip. 

Note: This image is simply to show the staggering of the strips. You will sew them with right sides together and raw edges aligned.

Stagger the strips

Make sure the seams are aligned. They should nest together neatly due to them being pressed in opposite directions.

Seams nesting neatly

Pin the strips together at the seams to helps keep them in place. I usually only pin the first one or two seams, but you may be more comfortable pinning them all.

Keeping the raw edges aligned and seams nested together, sew the strips together. Press the seam in any direction.

Sew the first two strips, keeping the seam aligned.

Continue in this manner until all six strips are joined, remembering to stagger the seams each time.

Continue until all six strips are sewn

Lay the unit on your cutting mat and ensure it is sitting flat. Cut through the strip diagonally as shown in the images below.

Note: Try and keep the cut as neat as possible, going through the intersection of each seam. The first and last squares will be slightly off due to the seam allowance. Don’t panic if things don’t line up perfectly. Just be as accurate as you can.

Cut through the diagonal

Diagonal cut made

Switch the two pieces around so that the cut edges are now on the outside.

Switch the pieces

Sew the two pieces together, staggering the seams as you did previously.

Sew the strips, staggering the seams

Cushion Front panel complete

Trim the unit to approximately 14 ½’’ x 14 ½’’. I’m not too particular about where I trim, i.e. I don’t aim for dead centre of a square or anything like that.

Note: If you are quilting your Cushion Front you may choose to not trim until after the quilting is complete.

Trimmed Cushion Front

Step Two – Quilt the Cushion Front (Optional)
This step is entirely optional but looks fantastic and can add interesting texture to your cushion.

Baste your Cushion Front to the batting and scrap backing fabric. You can use whatever method suits you. Pins, curved safety pins etc. I like to use basting spray. It keeps everything in place and means I can avoid pins (they're not my friend).

Baste the layers

Quilt the cushion front in your preferred method. I have used a walking foot to quilt lines 1/4'' from each side of the seams.

Quilting on the front

How awesome is the back??

If you haven’t already done so, trim off the excess batting and scrap fabric, keeping the front at approximately 14 ½’’ x 14 ½’’.

Quilted and trimmed

Step Three – Create an Envelope Closure and Finish the Cushion
Take the two 14 ½’’ x 10 ½’’ Cushion Back rectangles.

On each piece separately, fold one long edge down 1/2'', press and then down another 1/2'' and press again.

Fold the long edge 1/2'' then 1/2'' again

Sew the hem in place.

Sew the hem in place

Take the Cushion Front and lay it right side up.

Lay Cushion Front right side up

Take one Cushion Back piece and lay it on top of the Cushion Front, right side down and with the hem in the centre.

First Cushion Back piece in place

Lay the second Cushion Back piece right side down and in the opposite direction to the first.

Second Cushion Back piece in place

Pin and sew around all four edges, using a 1/4'' to 1/2'' seam allowance. 

Note: I like a snug fit so use a 1/2'' seam allowance, making the cushion cover slightly smaller than the cushion size. If you have quilted your cover, or are worried about the cushion not fitting, use a 1/4'' seam allowance.

If desired, finish the seams with an overlocker or zigzag stitch.

Turn the cushion right side out and...

Swoon

...you have a beautiful ombré cushion.

I would love to see your finished cushions so be sure to share your creations on my Facebook Page or on Instagram using the hashtag #sewtodaypattern.

Visit the following pages for more hints and tips on creating your Ombré Cushion Cover.

Join me here tomorrow when I announce the exciting Ombré Cushion Sew Along and Competition sponsored by the fabulous...