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We’ve got a great project for you to get to grips with the chenille technique. Add soft, subtle texture to your home décor with this on-trend chenille cushion cover DIY. We’ll show you how to master the method behind chenille before transforming your patchwork panel into the finished project.
This is part of Kate Webber’s Technique Focus feature in issue 95 of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine, and we’re excited to bring this fun bonus design to Gathered for you! It’s ideal for stretching your skills and coordinates perfectly with the projects in the magazine. Get your hands on a copy of issue 95 of Love Patchwork & Quilting magazine to make an all-over chenille cushion and a cute rainbow design. To see more of Kate’s work, follow her on Instagram @katewebberdesigns.
If you like fun and easy home sewing projects, you might also like our guide to How to make bunting.
How to make a Chenille style cushion cover
Finished Size
12in square
You will need
-
Fabric
Peach fabric: 1yd, Dark grey fabric: ½yd
(For the cushion front and back) - Polyester toy filling
-
Wire brush
Or nylon brush (optiona) -
Basting spray
Optional - Sewing machine
- Thread
- Fabric marker
-
Quilting ruler
Optional - Basic quilting kit
Method
Cutting out
1
From the peach fabric cut:
- One (1) 15in square.
- Three (3) 13in squares.
2
From the dark grey fabric cut:
- One (1) 13in square.
- One (1) 12½in square
Create the chenille
1
Arrange the 15in square right side up on your work surface. Then arrange the dark grey square on top, also right side up. Then layer all three peach 13in squares on top. Spray baste in place, or use a machine basting stitch around the edge of the smaller squares.
2
Mark the squares as follows, using a hera marker or removable fabric marker. Mark a vertical line 2½in from the right edge of the smaller squares. Mark a horizontal line 4½in from the bottom of the smaller squares.
3
Using the marks on your quilting ruler, measure 21/2in above the horizontal line and mark this along the vertical line. Use the 45 degree line of your quilt ruler to mark from this point down to the horizonal line at either side. Then repeat to mark a square.
4
Repeat the last step marking 5in and then 10in above the horizontal line to mark two more partial squares.
5
Sew along your marked squares, extending your stitching lines onto the larger square of fabric. Add additional lines of sewing at varying widths between 1⁄8in and ½in wide to create channels. Leave some areas unstitched.
6
Using a small sharp pair of scissors, clip through all four layers of fabric at the beginning and end of each channel, leaving the larger background square uncut.
7
Continue cutting between the channels all the way around, making sure you don’t cut the background fabric. If you have a chenille cutter, you can use this as well.
8
Using a wire or nylon brush, gently brush in a circular motion over the fabric to create the chenille effect. You can also wash and dry your fabric several times if you don’t have a brush.
Finish the cushion
1
Trim the chenille panel to 12½in squares, carefully centring the piece, and trimming away the excess background fabric at the same time.
2
Place the 12½in square of dark grey fabric right side together with the panel. Sew around the outer edge leaving a gap for turning, backstitching at each end.
3
Turn right side out through the turning gap. Stuff with toy filling and ladder stitch the turning gap closed.
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