Sewing Tutorial: Colourful Patchwork Sprocket Pillows – part 2

Originally published back in 2017 this post has had an update and a little makeover!.

I made these sprocket cushions for the Craft Cotton Company, using their Indian garden fabric range. The colours and patterns in this range are gorgeous and they were perfect for using to make these pillows.

These sprocket cushions have a button centre. I have also made some other patchwork sprocket cushions with a fabric yo yo centre.

Fabric was gifted by The Craft Cotton Company.

Colourful Patchwork Sprocket Pillows Sewing Tutorial

Materials

• Indian Garden fabric by The Craft Cotton Company.
  • 4 different colours per cushion (3 for the cushion from and back and another for the side strip).
• Thread.
• Scissors.
• Stuffing.
• Needle.
• Paper.
• Ruler.
• Pencil.
• Pins.
• 2 Buttons for each cushion for the cushion centre.
• Compass/something circular to draw around (diameter: large cushion 60cm, medium cushion 40cm, small cushion 20cm).

COLOURFUL PATCHWORK SPROCKET PILLOWS SEWING TUTORIAL

1. Draw out cushion templates by drawing a circle with:

• 60cm diameter for a large cushion.
• 40cm diameter for a medium cushion.
• 20cm diameter for a small cushion.

2. Divide this circle into 12 and cut so you have 12 template pieces.

3. Using the templates and a 0.5cm seam allowance cut out the fabrics from 3 of the different fabric colours (you will need two of each template, one for the front piece and one for the back piece). 

4. Sew the pieces together: To make sewing together easier split the circle into four sections consisting of 3 fabric pieces, sew the pieces together to make the quarters, then sew 2 quarters together to make a half then join the two halves together.  Repeat this with the remaining 12 pieces to make the back.

5. Cut a strip of fabric from the remaining unused fabric colour and piece of batting;
   • 12cm wide and 189cm long for the large cushion.
   • 9cm wide and 126cm long for the small cushion.
   • 5cm wide and 62cm long for the small cushion.
     • To check you have the right length lay out the length of fabric around the edge of the front piece once cut just to check the length – if its too long trim it down slightly making sure you keep a 0.5cm seam allowance for joining the ends.

6. Fold the fabric strip in half down its short edge with right sides together and sew down the short edge.  

7. Placing right sides together pin the middle piece to the front piece of the cushion, sew to secure.  Repeat for the back leaving an 8cm gap for turning.

8. Stuff the cushion and slip stitch close the gap.  

9. Take one of your buttons and sew to the front of the pillow in the centre point where the sprocket points meet.  Don’t fasten off but pull the needle through to the back of the pillow, make a few stitches to hold and then sew on the second button.  Fasten off. 

Tutorial is also available over on The Craft Cotton Company’s blog.