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How To Sew A Reverse Applique Heart Cushion Cover

Updated: Feb 7


Patchwork cushion on windowsill, featuring heart patterns in blue, pink, and floral prints. Sunlight filters through the window, creating a cozy mood.

Reverse applique is a technique whereby the top layer of fabric is cut away to reveal a different fabric underneath. This project uses the method of reverse applique with heart shapes to create a pretty, floral cushion cover with a zip back. It’s a great way to spread some love in your home for Valentine’s Day or even as a gift!


This is a fat quarter friendly project and is made using 5 fat quarters. The cushion back uses two different prints.


Video tutorial -


What you’ll need:

Heart template -


45cm Cushion pad

36cm Zip

Two pieces of fabric measuring 45 x 25 for the backing

Nine 17cm squares of floral fabric

Nine 13cm squares of floral fabric

Nine 13cm squares of scrap fabric

Sharp scissors

Fabric glue pen (I’ve used Gutermann HT2)

Erasable fabric pen

Quick unpick

Pins


Use 1cm seam allowance


Instructions:


1. Draw around the heart template on the centre of each scrap piece of fabric.

White fabric squares with heart outlines in black ink, stacked on a white surface. The setting is plain and minimal.


2. Place each scrap fabric centrally over the right side of each 17cm square. Pin in place.

Stack of patterned fabric squares, top square has a heart outline, blue button, and white background. Bright, floral designs underneath.



3. Sew over the heart lines. Use a smaller stitch as it's easier to create a good curve than using a longer stitch.


4. Carefully cut out the centre of the heart shape. Cut as close as possible to the stitch lines. Snip the point of the top ‘v’ off inside the seam and cut a snip in the seam at the bottom point.

Heart-shaped cutout on blue floral fabric with white background. The fabric is patterned with small flowers, creating a delicate, craft vibe.



5. Push the remaining scrap fabric through the cut-out heart shape and press flat on the other side. Make sure no scrap fabric can be seen from the front.

Blue floral fabric with a heart-shaped cutout on a white background. The fabric has small white and brown flowers, creating a delicate pattern.



6. Place the cut-out shape over the 13cm square of floral fabric. Sew around the heart shape close to the edge.

Repeat with the remaining squares.


TIP – you can arrange the hearts in rows of 3 before sewing to decide on the colour placement.

Blue fabric with floral patterns, cut to reveal heart shape showing maroon floral fabric beneath. Simple, elegant design on white background.



7. Sew the squares right sides together in rows of three. Press the seams flat.

Fabric squares with heart patterns in blue, pink, and floral prints arranged in two rows on a white background, creating a cozy, handmade feel.



8. Sew the rows right sides together and press the seams flat.

Patchwork quilt with heart patterns in blue, pink, and floral fabrics on a white background. Cozy, handcrafted design.



9. To create the zipped back, place the two backing pieces of fabric width ways, right sides together and sew. Press the seam open.

Two fabric pieces with floral patterns are sewn together. One is blue, the other pink. They're set against a plain white background.


10. Place the zip, teeth down, centrally over the seam. Use a glue pen to hold in place.

Two fabric pieces with floral patterns, light blue and pink, sewn together with a white zipper on a white background.




11. Sew all around the zip. Use a seam ripper to unpick the stitches from the right side over the zip teeth.

Blue and pink floral fabrics with a seam ripper lying between them. The fabrics have intricate flower patterns.



12. Sew the front and back cushion pieces right sides together, leaving the zip open. Snip across the corners then turn the right side out.

Folded quilt with floral and heart patterns in blue and pink tones on a white background, conveying a cozy and handcrafted feel.



13. Insert the cushion pad and the cushion is finished!

Patchwork pillow with heart patterns in blue, pink, and floral prints on a white background. Cozy and colorful design.



Fabric commissioned by The Craft Company for this project



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