Garden Tile Throw Cushion Cover Tutorial

 

Freshen up your home décor this spring with my Garden Tile throw cushion cover tutorial. The use of bright and floral prints in the version brings life to the living room and pops of color. And the best things about these florals are, they don’t ever die or trigger spring allergies.

 

This project utilises the Garden Tile quilt block pattern as the base, which can be downloaded here. The Garden Tile quilt block is derived from the traditional spool quilt block, and is arranged to form a star in a cross design. Collectively, the blocks are inspired by repeating painted garden tiles.

 

 

There are two other blog post tutorials on how to make a table runner and a tote bag using the Garden Tile quilt block pattern as a base. And if you’re up for tackling a larger project, download the the coordinating quilt pattern here. The blocks in the quilt pattern is another iteration of the original Garden Tile block. Quilt pattern comes with two sizes - baby (48" x 48"), large throw (72" x 72") -, takes out the guesswork in fabric requirements and cutting directions, and uses other piecing methods to speed up the construction of the quilt top.

Okay, let's get to the throw cushion cover tutorial. The following instructions makes one throw cushion. The finished project measures 18" x 18".

  

Fabric Requirements*

Fabric quantities are based on 42" WOF (width of fabric). All fabrics in the project are by Art Gallery Fabrics.

Fabric A (Soften the Volume, Brushed Fibers Taupe)	¼ yard (23 cm) or 1 FQ***
Fabric B (Open Heart, Reflections Verdant)	¼ yard (23 cm) or 1 FQ***
Fabric C (Open Heart, Everlasting Tokens in Coral)	⅛ yard (12 cm) or 1 FE**
Fabric D (Boscage, Tropical Tapestry)	⅛ yard (12 cm) or 1 FE**
Fabric E (Onward & Upward, Hopeful Heart in Coral and Teal)	¼ yard (23 cm) or 1 FQ***
Fabric F, Lining Fabric (Pure Solids in Creme de la Creme)	1½ yards (138 cm)
Fabric G, Cushion Back Fabric (Velvet, Ink Vert)	⅜ yard (35 cm)
Fabric H, Cushion Trim (Velvet, Ink Vert)	⅛ yard (12 cm) or 1 FE**

** A fat eighth (FE) is an eighth of a yard of fabric that measures approximately 9" x 21".

***A fat quarter (FQ) is a quarter of a yard of fabric that measures approximately 18" x 21". It is made by cutting a yard of fabric in half lengthwise and vertically.

 

  

Other Tools and Materials Required*

• Download The Weekend Quilter’s Garden Tile quilt block here
• Basic sewing machine
• Rotary cutter 
• Quilting rulers – preferably in 6" x 24", 6" x 12" and at least one with 45-degree angle mark.
• Cutting mat
• Fabric scissors
• Batting – There needs to be at least 4" overhang on each side of the cushion top and two cushion back panels. Thereby the minimum batting requirement required for this project is, one 26" square and two 19" x 26" rectangles.
• Sewing pins
• Coordinating thread, 50wt cotton – for piecing squares and rectangles together and decorative quilting stitches.
• Iron
• Basting spray (if spray basting) or safety pins (if pin basting)
• Hera marker or blunt butter knife
• Walking foot or dual feed dog (optional)
• Machine-washable fabric pen or pencil
• One throw cushion insert – approximately 18" x 18"

Cutting Directions

In addition to cutting fabrics for one Garden Tile quilt block (download the block pattern here), you will also need to cut the following fabric quantities:

Fabric A (Soften the Volume, Brushed Fibers Taupe)	1 square, 6¼"
Fabric B (Open Heart, Reflections Verdant)	1 square, 6¼"
Fabric D (Boscage, Tropical Tapestry)	8 squares, 2" 4 squares, 1½"
Fabric E (Onward & Upward, Hopeful Heart in Coral and Teal)	4 rectangles, 3½" x 12½"
Fabric F, Lining Fabric (Pure Solids in Creme de la Creme)	2 strips, 26" x WOF, sub-cut: 2 rectangles, 26" x 19" 1 square, 26"
Fabric G, Cushion Back Fabric (Velvet, Ink Vert)	1 strip, 11" x WOF, sub-cut: 2 rectangles, 11" x 18½"
Fabric H, Cushion Trim (Velvet, Ink Vert)	2 rectangles, 2" x 21"

 

 

Read through all the directions before you start, sew all right sides together with ¼" seam allowance, unless specified. 

Directions

BLOCK ASSEMBLY

Step 1: Download The Weekend Quilter’s Garden Tile quilt block here. 

Step 2: Create 1 Garden Tile quilt block. Set block aside for Cushion Top Assembly, Step 1.

 

HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE (HST) UNITS

Step 1: With right sides together, place 1 Fabric A 6¼" square on top of 1 Fabric B 6¼" square to create 1 HST Set.

 

Step 2: Sew a ¼" from all four edges of the HST Set as shown in the example (refer to the blue lines).

Step 3: On the reverse side of the HST Set, draw two diagonal guidelines*, cut on them and press the seams open or to the dark side to create a total of 4 Fabric A/B HST units.

*Note: If you’re feeling confident, skip drawing the diagonal guidelines and jump straight to cutting and pressing.
  

Step 4: Trim each Fabric A/B HST unit to a 3½" square. Set unit aside for Quick-Corner Units, Step 2.

 

 

QUICK-CORNER UNITS

Step 1: On the wrong side of 8 Fabric D 2" squares and 4 Fabric D 1½" squares, draw a diagonal guideline.

Step 2: Noting the placement and orientation of the marked squares from the previous step, with right sides together, sew on the guidelines:

• Place 2 marked Fabric D 2" squares on the top left and right corners 1 Fabric E 3½" x 12½" rectangle to create 1 Quick-Corner A unit. 

• Place 1 marked Fabric D 1½" square on the Fabric B half of 1 Fabric A/B HST unit to create 1 Quick-Corner B unit.

Repeat this step to create a total of:

• 4 Quick-Corner A units
• 4 Quick-Corner B units
  
  

Step 4: Trim a ¼" seam allowance to the outside of all the sewn lines. Press the seams open or to the dark side to complete the Quick-Corner units.

 

CUSHION TOP ASSEMBLY

Step 1: Complete the Cushion Top by laying out 4 Quick-Corner A units, 4 Quick-Corner B units and 1 Garden Tile Block. Then sew the units to form 3 rows and sew the 3 rows together. Press the seams open or to the dark side as you go.

 

BASTING AND QUILTING

Step 1: Cushion sandwiches are made up of three layers – the cushion top or cushion back (Fabric G), batting and cushion lining (Fabric F). The cushion lining goes down on the basting surface first, right side down. Followed by batting and the Cushion Top or lining (Fabric F), wrong side touching the batting.

For this project, you need to create a total of 3 cushion sandwiches: 1 Cushion Top Sandwich and 2 Cushion Back Sandwiches. Each cushion sandwich consists of the following layers:

• Cushion Top Sandwich
  • Cushion top (from the previous step)
  • Batting 26" square
  • Lining (Fabric F) 26" square

• Cushion Back Sandwich
  • Cushion back (Fabric G) 11" x 18½" rectangle
  • Batting 26" x 19" rectangle
  • Lining (Fabric F) 26" x 19" rectangle

Spray or pin baste the three layers together, and quilt as desired.

Step 2: Trim excess batting and lining fabrics, and square up all cushion sandwiches. Take extra care when square up. Each cushion sandwich must measure:

• Cushion Top Sandwich: 18½" square
• Cushion Back Sandwich: 11" x 18½" rectangle

Set Cushion Top Sandwich aside for Cushion Assembly, Step 1 and set Cushion Back Sandwich aside for Cushion Trim, Step 2.

 

CUSHION TRIM

Step 1: Start with 2 Fabric H 2" x 21" rectangles. Fold each Fabric H rectangle in half lengthwise and press to create 2 Trim units.

Step 2: With the wrong side of 1 Cushion Back Sandwich facing up, align the raw edge of 1 Trim unit with the longer raw edge of the quilt sandwich. Sew ¼" away from the raw edge. Remember to backstitch the start and end of the seam.

Step 3: Fold the finished edge of the Trim over to Fabric G of the Cushion Back Sandwich. Use a coordinating thread and sew to secure the Trim. Backstitch the start and end of the seam.

Step 4: Use a ruler and rotary cutter or a pair of fabric scissors to remove excess Trim.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 with the second Cushion Back Sandwich.

 

CUSHION ASSEMBLY

Step 1: With right sides together, lay 1 Cushion Back Sandwich on top of Cushion Top Sandwich.

 

Then with right sides together lay the second Cushion Back Sandwich on top of the Cushion Top Sandwich and pin, as shown. Ensure the Trims on the Cushion Back Sandwiches are positioned away from the outer edges of the cushion.

It is fine that the 2 Cushion Back Sandwiches are partially on top of each other – this is intentional.

 

Step 2: Sew all the way around the outer edge with a ¼" Seam allowance backstitching at the beginning and end.
 

Step 3: Use a serger / overlock sewing machine or zig zag stitch to cover the raw edges to prevent them from fraying.

 

Step 4: Carefully clip the corners without cutting into the seam. Turn the cushion right way out, poking out the corners to create a crisp and flat finish. Trim loose threads and insert a cushion insert to complete the project.

 

 

Share your progress and completed cushion on social media by tagging:

#gardentilecushion #theweekendquilter @the.weekendquilter

 Want to make a matching quilt to go with your throw cushions? Download the Garden Tile quilt pattern here. The blocks in the quilt pattern is another iteration of the original Garden Tile block. Quilt pattern comes with two sizes - baby (48" x 48"), large throw (72" x 72") -, takes out the guesswork in fabric requirements and cutting directions, and uses other piecing methods to speed up the construction of the quilt top.

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