12 Crafts of Christmas: Day 11 - Christmas Cushion

Brighten your sofas or armchairs this Christmas with a festive cushion made with a simple patchwork motif. The joy of patchwork is that it contains so many stories and you can get really creative with yours. Are you using fabrics from family clothing? Do your choices span different eras? Have you chosen a particular style? Whatever you choose, a patchwork cushion is a great conversation starter and can also prompt memories among those for whom memory is becoming a challenge. Send us your photos or tag us on Instagram: @CotswoldCurtains #CC12CraftsOfChristmas 

You will need:

9 fabric squares (13cm x 13cm) with your choice of fabric. 
A plain cushion cover (unless you fancy making your own!) 
Iron and ironing board
Sewing machine 
Embroidery thread 

Method:

The patchwork design is based on the traditional Nine Square Patch. Cut 3x13 cm squares from each of three fabrics and arrange them as shown. Experiment with your patches so that the dominant pattern will travel diagonally from top left to bottom right.

Using a sewing machine, stitch your patches together in three strips, using a half-centimetre seam. Press the seams as follows - on the top and bottom strips press from left to right (not open). Press seams on the middle patch from  right to left. This makes it easier to stitch and press the square.

Carefully pin the three strips together. Take care to match the seams as closely as possible, so that your finished square looks neat.

Sew the three strips together.

Carefully press under 0.5 centimetres right round the square.

Pin your square to the front of the cushion cover. Using 2 or 3 strands of embroidery silk, hand stitch the patchwork to the cushion cover, using small running stitches. If you want a stronger bond you can also over sew the patchwork using thread which will blend in as much as possible. 

You could also use blanket stitch instead of running stitch.

Press the finished cushion cover and pop in a cushion! Patchwork cushions look best when nice and plump - use a feather cushion the same size as the cover.

If you want to add further decoration to your patches, you could iron on some appliqué motifs using fusing.