Why pay big prices to enhance your home when you can make your own soft furnishings at a fraction of the cost? These two cushions both use a pintuck technique which is very easy to achieve and can create fabulous results when you manipulate the pleats. Try our square design, or jazz it up further with a scalloped edging
Scallop-edge cushion
Cut a 17cm x 33cm centre piece from Swirls Citrus fabric, and two side panels in Cobblestones Teal fabric, sized 14cm x 33cm. Stitch the panels either side of the centre with right sides facing, allowing for a 1cm seam allowance throughout. Iron the seam open.
For the pintucks, fold each panel into 5mm pleats with 5mm in between each one. Stitch down each pleat. Iron as you go to ensure a neat finish.
Cut the next two side panels from Cobblestones Kiwi, measuring 14cm x 33cm and repeat step 2. Trim this whole piece to 27cm x 33cm. Cut two 9cm x 33cm end panels from Crosshatch Slate, stitch to each side and iron.
To manipulate the pleats, measure the middle and folding the teal pleats towards the edges of the cushion, stitch across with matching thread. Fold the next yellow pleats the opposite way and stitch in yellow thread. Repeat this halfway between the middle and top, and middle and bottom, folding in opposite directions to create a wave effect. Stitch the ends of the pleats in their folded position near the edge as this will ensure the pintucks are caught into the seam the right way. Stitch three coordinating buttons as shown.
Cut six semi-circles, 10.5cm diameter fro