VELVET RUFFLE CUSHION

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Step 1 - Prepare Your Fabric

Lay out your fabric. Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure and cut a 52 x 52 cm square for the front of your cushion cover, including a 1 cm seam allowance around the edges

Next, cut two rectangles for the back pieces: one measuring 52 x 40 cm and the other 52 x 30 cm. For the ruffle, cut two additional rectangles, each measuring 150 x 10 cm.

Step 2 - Making The Ruffle

Prepare your sewing machine, take the two short ends of the ruffle pieces with the right side facing each other and sew along the edge with a 1cm seam allowance. Repeat at the other end so you end up with a circle ruffle piece. Press the seams open with an iron for a nice finish.

Step 3 - Gathering The Ruffle

Fold the ruffle half, lengthways, with the wrong side facing together (this will keep the seams from showing) and press along the folded edge with an iron.

Set your sewing machine to a long stitch length to create a gathering stitch. Sew 0.5 cm from the raw edge of the ruffle. As you are near the end, stop stitching approximately 1 cm from your starting point.

Hold on to the stitch line while lifting the sewing machine foot up. This will create a thread tail for you to pull to gather the stitches. For your second row of gathered stitches, sew at 1cm from the raw edge and create the thread tail.

Then grab the two thread tails, tie them into a knot and pull the threads to create the gathering.

Step 4 - Hemming The Back Pieces

Take the two back pieces and fold up the 52 cm raw edge by 1 cm. Press with an iron, then fold it up another 1 cm and press again. Pin the folded edge in place, then sew along the top edge at 1 cm to secure the hem.

Step 5 - Attaching The Ruffle To The Cushion Cover

Place the ruffle along the top edge of the front piece, with the right side facing up. Adjust the gathers so the ruffle fits evenly along the edges. If needed, tighten or loosen the gathers. Once it fits, pin the ruffle in place to secure it to the front piece.

Once the ruffle is pinned in place, place the back pieces on top. Start with the larger back piece, with the right side facing down and the hemmed edge in the centre. Pin it in place. Then place the smaller back piece on top, again with the right side facing down and the hemmed edge in the centre. Pin securely. Sew all the way around using a 1 cm seam allowance.

Step 6 - Finishing Touches

Turn the cushion cover right side out. The ruffle should now be neatly sewn between the two layers of fabric. Trim any loose threads and press the cover with an iron. Then insert your cushion into the cover.