Sewing Tutorial: Patchwork Sprocket Cushions – Part 1

Perfect for USing Outside This summer – Some bright Moroccan Themed Fabric sprocket pillows

Originally published in 2018, this post has had a little makeover and is now back live!.

I received some gorgeous Moroccan Bazaar fabric from The Craft Cotton Company – soon as I saw it I knew the the bright colours and patterns would be perfect for some sprocket cushions.

I have also made some larger sprocket cushions which have a button centre.

Fabric gifted by The Craft Cotton Company.

Patchwork Sprocket Cushions Sewing Tutorial

Materials 

• Moroccan Bazaar fabric by The Craft cotton Company
  • 6 different colours per cushion.
• Batting.
• Thread.
• Scissors.
• Stuffing.
• Needle.
• Paper.
• Ruler.
• Pencil.
• Pins.
• Compass/something circular to draw around (diameter: large cushion 28cm, small cushion 18cm, circular middle piece 5cm).

Patchwork Sprocket Cushions

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

• 28cm diameter for a large cushion.
• 18cm for a small cushion.

2. Divide this circle into 8 and cut so you have 8 template pieces.

3. Choose 4 of the 6 fabrics and cut using a 0.5cm seam allowance out 4 of each colour (16 pieces in total).

4. Take 8 of the fabric pieces (2 of each colour) and layout so that you have 2 halves consisting of one piece of each fabric colour which matching fabrics opposite each other.

5. Sew the pieces together: To make sewing together easier split the circle into four sections consisting of 2 fabric pieces, sew the two pieces together making quarters, then sew 2 quarters together to make a half then join the two halves together.  Repeat this with the remaining 8 pieces to make the back. 

6. Cut out 2 pieces of batting the same size as the front and back pieces place behind the patchwork piece and add quilted detail. 

7. Make a fabric yo yo for the middle circle piece using a 5cm diameter circle (How to make a fabric yo yo guide).
   • Cut out 2 circles from one of the remaining 2 unused fabrics. 
   • Sew a line of stitching 0.5cm from the edge and pull tight, sew to secure. 
   • Sew on to the middle of the front and back patchwork pieces.

8. Cut a strip of fabric from the remaining unused fabric colour and piece of batting;
   • 7cm wide and 88cm long for the large cushion.
   • 5cm wide and 57cm 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.

9. Place the batting behind the fabric piece and fold the batting and fabric strip in half down its short edge with right sides together and sew down the short edge.  

10. 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.

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

The tutorial to make your own sprocket cushions is also available over on The Hobbycraft blog: