Overlapping Circles Cushion Pattern - Includes pre-cut papers

English paper-piecing has experienced a recent revival as more and more people are becoming aware of the joys and benefits of slow stitching. Why not develop your hand piecing skills with some curved EPP and hand appliqué to make this beautful cushion?

In these easy-to-follow instructions I show you how to glue-baste your crescent shapes using the paper templates included (you also have a template sheet to photocopy for furture use). I then show you how to sew your pieces together using a 'flat whip stitch' to create this ring design. After some hand appliqué to sew your ring to you background, you can then add some decorative big-stitch hand quilting.

Skill level: Experienced hand-piecer

You will need:
• Eight 3.75" x 10.5" rectangles in co-ordinating fabrics
• One fat quarter of background fabric
• Thread for piecing - I use a 50wt cotton
• Temporary glue pen - which you can get here
• Embroidery floss in a contrasting colour
• A 20" square of wadding
• Fabric marker or soft pencil
• Gentle fabric starch
• 20" square of butter muslin or equally fine fabric for backing your cushion front to quilt
• 50cm of backing fabric and a 20" cushion pad.