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A two-panel backing completes the quilted ‘Sunshine’ cushion (Easy)

A two-panel backing completes the quilted ‘Sunshine’ cushion (Easy)

by Sarah Vanderburgh

I could also call this post, Four Presser feet, and a finish! This is my last post of the week which means it’s time to finish our quilted cushions. In yesterday’s post, we used the blanket stitch on the PFAFF performance icon to machine applique the words onto the quilted cushion top. Today we’re using the PFAFF performance icon to add the backing panels to complete the cushion.

A Completed quilted cushion with the words ‘Let the sunshine in’ in blue, yellow, and pink applique letters sits on a red chair.

Quilted sunshine cushion cover

Hem the back panels

The backing of this cushion is made simply of two backing panels that overlap to enclose the pillow form. My top backing panel measures 16½” wide by 12½” long, and my bottom panel measures 16½” wide by 8½” long. You might want a longer bottom panel if you have a fuller pillow form than I have. To prepare the back panels, we need to hem one of the short edges of each panel. I fold under ¼” of material from the right side to the backside of the panel, then I fold over another ¼” before pressing with an iron. To hem I use the ¼” Quilting Foot for IDT System and line it up along the right edge of my folded fabric.

The ¼” Quilting Foot for IDT System; PFAFF performance icon

Sewing the hem with ¼” Quilting Foot for IDT System

When I finished sewing each hem, I layered the cushion cover, right side up, then the bottom panel with the hemmed edge towards the middle of the cover. The final layer is the top panel with the hemmed edge overlapping and on top of the bottom panel. I pinned around all the sides and didn’t leave a turning gap because I’ll be able to turn the cover through the opening between the two back panels.

To sew around the edge of the cushion layers I used the ¼” Right Guide Foot for IDT System which helps ensure a consistent seam allowance around the edge.

¼” Right Guide Foot for IDT System on the PFAFF performance icon

¼” Right Guide Foot for IDT System

Like many of the PFAFF presser feet, this foot has guide marks to make it easy to confidently sew accurate seam allowances. In this case, I used the first red guide marks at the front of the foot to stop and turn the corner, keeping an accurate ¼” seam allowance.

Guide marks on the ¼” Right Guide Foot for IDT System on the PFAFF performance icon

¼” red guide mark at front of foot for turning corners

I plan to use this cushion cover which means it’ll get washed. For a professionally finished seam, it’s also a good idea to use an overcast stitch along these inner seams so there are no raw edges exposed to unravel. The Blindhem Foot for IDT System is included with the PFAFF performance icon; I rarely use this foot and had no problems.

Blindhem Foot for IDT System overcast stitch on the PFAFF performance icon

Blindhem Foot for IDT System

The photo below shows the layers completed with the overcast stitches. I also cut the excess seam from each corner on the diagonal to make crisp points when the cushion is stuffed.

Overcast seams shown on the inside out cushion cover

Cushion cover with overcast stitches on inside seams

Now all that’s left is to turn the cushion right side out, push out the corners, and insert the pillow form. Then find some sunshine and enjoy!

From the editor: Here is a very informative post with more quilting ideas, including crochet and knitting, Decorate Your Home with Crochet, Knitting, and Quilting: The Experts Tell Us How to Do It

Completed cushion cover with the words ‘Let the sunshine in’ in blue, yellow, and pink applique letters set on a beige couch.

Completed applique sunshine cushion cover

This week was a delight discovering how easy it is to machine blanket stitch with the PFAFF performance icon. Not only that, the radiant stitches and stippling stitches turned our happy sunshine phrase into a creative statement. The features on the performance icon made it easy to professionally stitch and finish the cushion cover. I’m looking forward to enjoying my indoor sunshine all season long!

PFAFF performance icon

PFAFF performance icon

This is part 5 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 4: A FUN way to blanket stitch with the PFAFF performance icon: How original!

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