Patchwork Animal Cushions

My Grade 9 students have been designing and stitching Patchwork Cushions for several years. Now that I am at home with extra planning time I have decided to change up the project.

These cute animal cushions are easy to make using a basic 9 patch design. Students can also modify the project to suit their sewing skills. Those who are looking for an extra challenge can be creative with their ideas by dividing the 9 patches into smaller rectangles or triangles.

Supplies

- Sewing Machine, scissors, pins, hand stitching needle

- Beige, maroon fabric scraps

- Black, white, maroon felt

- Black thread

- Polyester filling or cushion filler.

- Paper, ruler, pencil

Step 1: Cut Out the Fabric

Carefully pin templates onto selected fabrics.

Cut out shapes.

(I like to put them in place so that I know that all of the shapes have been cut out.)

Step 2: Divide Shapes Into Columns

Work with the shapes as 3 columns.

Step 3: Stitch Left Column Patches

Beginning at the top of the LEFT column place the top rectangle, right sides facing, on top of the rectangle below.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag the edge to neaten.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put them back in place in the column.

Step 4:

Place triangle one on top of triangle two, right sides together.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag the edge to neaten.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put back in place in the column.

Step 5:

Place stitched square one onto stitched square two, right sides together.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag the edge to neaten.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put back in place in the column.

Step 6:

Pin the remaining square patch in place.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag the edge to neaten.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Repeat Steps 2 - 6 with the shapes in the RIGHT column.

Be sure to reverse the triangles so that you have a mirror image.

Step 7: Stitch Middle Column Patches

Start stitching the middle column by placing one smaller triangle on top of the larger one, as shown in the photo.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag edge to neaten.

Repeat with second small triangle.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put back in place in the column.

Step 8:

Pin top rectangle onto triangles, as shown in the photo.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag to neaten.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put back in place in the column.

Step 9:

Pin the first square underneath the triangles.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag neaten the edge.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Put back in place in the column.

Step 10:

Pin the second square to the first square.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag neaten the edge.

Open out the shapes and iron.

Step 11: Stitch Front of Cushion

Place the left column on top of the middle column, right sides together, pin to hold.

Stitch 1cm from the edge.

Zig zag neaten the edge.

Open out and iron.

Step 12:

Repeat step 11 with the right column.

Open out and iron.

Step 13: Hand Stitch Facial Features

Pin the nose template on to the black felt.

Carefully cut around the edge.

Pin the nose in place. Hand stitch using running stitch.

Step 14:

Use stem stitch to stitch the mouth underneath the nose.

Step 15:

Pin eye templates on to black and white felt.

Carefully cut out shapes.

Stitch the white triangles in place using running stitch. And then stitch the black triangles on top.

Step 16: Stitch Back

Using the front to measure, cut out the two back pieces.

Piece number one should be approximately 3/4 the height of the front.

Piece number two 1/2 the height of the front.

Step 17:

Fold one long edge of each rectangle over 1cm and then 1cm again.

Iron to hold in place.

Stitch using straight stitch.

Step 18:

Place front of cushion on the table right side up.

Put the smaller rectangle on top and then cover with the larger rectangle, matching the shapes along the outside edges.

Pin in place.

Stitch 1cm from the edge around the outside and then zig zag to neaten.

Step 19: Stitch Ears

Pin the ear template to the felt.

Cut around the edge.

Place two ears together. Stitch 3mm around the curved edges using straight stitch.

Step 20:

Pin ears in place.

(as shown above)

Carefully stitch in place using ladder stitch.

Step 21:

Create your own cushion to fill the cover or buy a cushion filler that fits.

Step 22:

Be creative. Change fabrics, colours, and shapes to design a number of cute, fun animal designs.