may cushion covers – part 2

May21

This is the last post to show my cushion cover series for April and May 2021. This time I got out of the stash a rest of a Lotta Jansdotter collection. A very Scandinavian fabric design with clear colors and bold pattern motifs.

bella cushion covers 1 - skalabara quilts

I started cutting the pieces depending on the scrap size. The first cushion cover I made was the one with the small squares. All cut size 2″ square and finished size 1,5″. The number and size of the squares define the cushion cover size : 10 x 10 = 100 squares (times 1,5″) = 15″ x 15″.

bella cushion cover squares small - skalabara quilts

The next cushion cover I made was the one with larger squares. This time the cut size is 3,5″ and finished size is 3″ squares. The cushion cover has altogether 25 squares and makes up to a final size of 15″ x 15″.

bella cushion cover squares large - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers squares 1 - skalabara quilts

My next cushion cover design is a combination of squares and rectangles. After looking at the scrap size and amount of fabric left, I have cut the squares 2,5″ x 2,5″ and the rectangles 2,5″ x 4,5″. The pattern alternates a square and a rectangle piece. This time the cushion cover size is 18″ x 18″.

bella cushion cover squares and rectangles 2 - skalabara quilts

For the next cushion cover, I have used the very last scrap pieces. These I have cut into squares or rectangles to the same height. For the pattern I have alternated a row of squares/rectangles with a white stripe row. I have also added a white border to make the cushion cover to a size of 20″ x 20″.

bella cushion cover squares and stripes 1 - skalabara quilts

The last cushion cover in this series is a “mixed” pattern. I have pieced the finished blocks and units I had on stock to make a square cushion cover. Somehow a total fantasy design. Finished cushion cover size is : 16” x 16”.

bella cushion cover mixed pattern 1 - skalabara quilts

I have used the walking foot to quilt all cushion covers. Followed straight lines on the diagonal, either 1,5″ or 2″ apart. Stitch length is 4 mm. Quilting thread is Mettler Silk Finish in 40 in light grey. Including a busy bee in the photo.

bella cushion cover squares and stripes with a bee - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers quilting 2 - skalabara quilts

For the backing, I have selected a black/white/grey fabric with a paisley pattern. The cushion cover backing is with an envelope closure and double fabric. Paisley pattern fabric on the exterior and white lining cotton fabric on the interior.

bella cushion covers backing 3 - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers backing 1 - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers backing 2 - skalabara quilts

This was a fun project using all fabric leftovers. Each cushion cover has a unique design. But as all the fabrics come from the same collection, they unite the series.

bella cushion covers 5 - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers 7 - skalabara quilts

bella cushion covers 4 - skalabara quilts

Wadding : Natur Bamboo Blend by Rosello – 50/50 bamboo cotton blend

Quilting thread : Mettler Silk Finish Quilting Cotton 40 – color light grey

Happy quilting

barbora

may cushion covers – part 1

May7

The last few weeks I have been working on several cushion cover projects. Something small for between larger projects. This time I would like to show you some pretty pink cushion covers made with broken dishes blocks. I got the pink half square triangles out of my stash scrap box.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 3 - skalabara quilts

Somehow I prefer the broken dishes block to the windmill block. I know that there are many more possibilities to do with half square triangles.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 1 - skalabara quilts

Since we have had quite a lot of rain through the winter and until now, the garden is this year is really nice. I try to take the photos for the blog with all these flowering plants. In another month we will have the heat and the garden will go to the “summer sleep”.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 4 - skalabara quilts

I have quilted both cushion covers with the walking foot in straight lines on the diagonal. I need more practice with the stitch in the ditch quilting.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink detail 2 - skalabara quilts

cushion covers broken dishes in pink detail 1 - skalabara quilts

For the backing, I have selected a fabric with a polka dot pattern in light and dark pink. I have finished the cushion covers with an envelope closure and double fabric. Dotty pattern fabric on the exterior and calico from IKEA on the interior.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink backing - skalabara quilts

Following images of each cushion cover on its own.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 8 - skalabara quilts

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 9 - skalabara quilts

You can see some aloe vera with flowers in the background, also lavender and rosemary bushes.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 6 - skalabara quilts

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 10 - skalabara quilts

And this time a shot of the two cushion covers with some sage bushes in full flower, always a favourite of the bees.

cushion covers broken dishes in pink 7 - skalabara quilts

Broken dishes cushion covers in pink : 18″ x 18″

Wadding : Natur Bamboo Blend by Rosello – 50/50 bamboo cotton blend

Quilting thread : Mettler Quilting Cotton 40 – color natural

Happy quilting

barbora

april cushion covers – part 2

Apr25

As mentioned in my last post, I have made some more cushion covers. A few weeks ago I was checking and sorting out my fabric stash. And I have found well hidden a box with half square triangles. An ideal basis to make a few cushion covers for the dog rescue center.

broken dishes cushions 2 - skalabara quilts

Different colours, different fabric patterns. But one thing in common : half square triangles. A very versatile unit with many design options.

broken dishes cushions 6 - skalabara quilts

The green/blue cushion cover has four broken dishes blocks in the center. Followed by two borders. I have quilted this cushion cover with the walking foot in straight stitches on the diagonal.

broken dishes cushions detail 2 - skalabara quilts

For the backing, I have selected a dark blue fabric from my stash. I have finished the cushion cover with an envelop closure and double fabric. Colorful pattern fabric on the exterior and calico from IKEA on the interior.

broken dishes cushions backing 2 - skalabara quilts

The other two cushion covers are with bright warm hues. One with some batiks and the other one with normal printed fabrics. For each block I have pieced four half square triangle units. This made the center of the square in square block. Then added thin borders to each block. Both cushion covers have also an outer border with the same fabric as the backing.

broken dishes cushions 5 - skalabara quilts

broken dishes cushions 7 - skalabara quilts

To quilt both cushion covers, I have used the walking foot and straight stitches on the diagonal 1,5″ apart. Stitch length is 4 mm.

broken dishes cushions detail 1 - skalabara quilts

For the backing, I have selected a small flower print in beige/pink/red shades from my stash. The cushion cover backing is with an envelope closure and double fabric. Colorful pattern fabric on the exterior and calico from IKEA on the interior.

broken dishes cushions backing 1 - skalabara quilts

This was a fun project using some pieces from my (hidden) stock. I have still some more cushion covers on my working table. And some Kaffe Fassett scraps that need cutting for the next cushion cover project.

broken dishes cushions 4 - skalabara quilts

broken dishes cushions 8 - skalabara quilts

broken dishes cushions 1 - skalabara quilts

Green/blue cushion cover : 14″ x 14″

2x brown/blue/pink cushion cover : 18″ x 18″

Wadding : Natur Bamboo Blend by Rosello – 50/50 bamboo cotton blend

Quilting thread : Mettler Quilting Cotton 40 – color natural

Happy quilting

barbora

april cushion covers – part 1

Apr11

April is here with typical April weather – sun, rain, wind, storm, thunder. You choose, we had it. Temperatures are like on a carrousel ride, going up and down. Luckily, I didn’t have time to swap my winter and summer clothing; I am still using my winter jackets. But this unpredictable weather gives more time to stick to the sewing machine. Here my makes from the last weekend:

I have pieced the turquoise cushion cover with fabric rests from the turquoise quilt I am making for my Mum. I have used the scraps to make 9 individual squares, each square cut to 4,5″.

april turquoise cushion 1 - skalabara quilts

The solid color fabric for the sashing is Kona Ash, one of my favourites at the moment. The hue is something between grey and beige, an ideal neutral shade for quilts.

april turquoise cushion detail - skalabara quilts

I have quilted the turquoise cushion cover using the walking foot. With a straight extra wide zigzag stich on my Bernina.

The other two cushion covers are with bright warm hues, all Kona solids. The colors are : Grellow – yellow, Kumquat – orange, Medium Pink, Bright Pink and Cerise – dark red.

april pinkie cushions 1 - skalabara quilts

Both cushion covers have the same stripe blocks, each 5″ square. I have cut from each colour fabric 6 rectangle pieces 1,5″ x 5,5″. The background fabric is Kona Ash.

april pinkie cushions 3 - skalabara quilts

To quilt both cushion covers, I have used the walking foot and straight stitches. One cover has stitches in vertical and horizontal, the other one has stitches on the diagonal.

april pinkie cushions detail 1 - skalabara quilts

april pinkie cushions detail 2 - skalabara quilt

For the backing, I have selected a colorful pattern fabric from my stash. The cushion cover backing is with an envelope closure and double fabric. Colorful pattern fabric on the exterior and calico from IKEA on the interior.

april pinkie cushions backing 2 - skalabara quilts

april pinkie cushions backing 1 - skalabara quilts

This was a fun project for a rainy weekend. I have some more cushion covers on my working table that are nearly finished. Stay tuned to my next post with some newly finished projects!

april turquoise cushion backing - skalabara quilts

Turquoise cushion cover : 16″ x 16″

2 stripe blocks cushion cover : 14″ x 14″

4 stripe blocks cushion cover : 13″ x 13″

Wadding : Natur Bamboo Blend by Rosello – 50/50 bamboo cotton blend

Quilting thread : Mettler Silk Finish Cotton 50 – color 0412

april pinkie cushions 2 - skalabara quilts

barbora

baby quilt and matching cushion covers

Mar12

This week I would like to show you a colourful baby quilt and matching cushion covers. The pattern is Campfire Glow Quilt by Meghan from Then Came June.

I really liked the simplicity of the pattern. A super combination of nine patch blocks and sawtooth star blocks. How come I didn’t get this idea?

The nine patch blocks are strip pieced and are quick to make. As I had some “leftover” blocks, I made two matching cushion covers.

21 CU campfire glow 1 - skalabara quilts

All three pieces were fun to make. Only working with these colours, summer comes into the house! All fabrics are Robert Kaufman from the collection Kona Solids.

I have used the following Kona Solids : Medium Pink with Ash Grey, Bright Pink with Pewter Grey, Kumquat Orange with Grellow Yellow.

21 Q campfire glow backing 3 - skalabara quilts

Backing fabric is a duvet cover from IKEA. Used on both the quilt and cushion covers. The cushion covers have an envelope closure with a double layer of fabric : the flower pattern on top and calico on the interior.

21 CU campfire glow 7 - skalabara quilts

I have quilted all three pieces in straight lines with the walking foot. The cushion covers only in one diagonal direction with dense stitching. And the baby quilt has stitches in both diagonal directions, but is not as dense as the cushion covers.

21 Q campfire glow detail 3 - skalabara quilts

21 Q campfire glow detail 2 - skalabara quilts

For quilting, I have used a stitch length of 4 mm. Quilting thread for the cushion covers is Superior Threads King Tut 40/3 cotton in color 962 – a grey variegated thread. The quilting thread for the baby quilt is my favourite from Amann Group Mettler Silk Finish Cotton in 40 weight and color 0331 light grey.

21 Q campfire glow binding 2 - skalabara quilts

For the binding I have selected the Kona Solid in Bright Pink. It is such a happy and bright color!

21 Q campfire glow binding 1 - skalabara quilts

And here two captures of the quilt sandwich with all the safety pins.

21 Q campfire glow pinning 2 - skalabara quilts

21 Q campfire glow pinning 1 - skalabara quilts

These pieces are going to the dog rescue center where I got Dotti. Also, both the Summer Sampler 2019 and the 2020 went to the rescue center as donations.