The Olympics made me do it. The Olympics and Blandina.
You see, Blandina gave me a beauty of a charm square pack she’d had in her stash for many years (she bought it when she was three ;).
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to make with it until I saw those Union Jacks all over London.
The colours were perfect:
I had a 40 cm/16 inch cushion form that needed a new cover.
I started with 6.5 inch square paper templates like this for the diagonals:
If you’d like this paper piecing template already in a PDF file (ready to be printed out), you can receive it automatically when you enter your email address below:
Remember, when you print it out to set your printer so that it’s NOT to scale – it should be printing at 100% (some printers’ default setting is to print at 97% – this is not what you want).
Then I paper pieced to make the diagonals. (For a detailed tute on paper piecing diagonals, see this one. Just remember our diagonals are NOT random – you need to follow the lines on your template.)
Make 4 of these
Then I added 1.5 inch white strips along a side of each block:
And then another 1.5 inch white strip to complete the blocks:
Then it was time for the St. George cross. This is where you might like to alter my design.
As you might have noticed from my top photo, I like my cushions well-stuffed, and I don’t care who knows it. If you like your cushion covers a little looser, or you plan on quilting the cover, you might like a little more ease in there.
If you like it toight like a toiger, use 2.5 inch red strips. If you’d like more ease, go for 3.5 inch strips.
Join two blocks first:
And then use a final strip to complete the design:
Yay for Jack. You can easily turn it into a cushion now using this tutorial.
I spent a little time considering the back of my cushion. Being Australian I like to see the Southern Cross wherever I see a Union Jack but to be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to make all those itty bitty stars. So I took the easy route and made the French flag instead.
Can Jack and Marianne live together?
There you have it, a little bit of the 2012 London Olympics for your couch.
Happy viewing!
Absolutely fabulous cushion cover. Thank you for sharing the pattern. Haven’t found fabric anywhere near as nice but I do have some red white and blue. I will keep looking for fabric like you have used.
Thanks Christine. Perhaps you can sew it while watching King Charles’ coronation today!
Hi
Can I ask what size the squares were that you bought were they each 6.5 cm ?
thanks
Hi Mari, they were only 5″ squares (it was a charm pack). I had to sew several together and cut the pieces from the larger patchwork units.
I love this beautiful Union Jack cushion. The fabrics you used give it a really luxurious look. I am new to patchwork, but I simply must give it a go. Thanks so much for your tutorial . I can’t wait to give it a go!
Go for it, June, I’m sure it will look fabulous!
I tried to get the free pattern by entering my e-mail, but no luck as of yet. Please let me know how to get this free PDF for the union Jack.
Hi Kirsty, Just recently found your blog! Well done, I’m very impressed! The very best of content and humor. Enjoying it immensely. Thank you for sharing. Pam
Just discovered your blog and LOVE IT!! This Union Jack cushion is awesome and I plan on making one for a pressie to give to my friend in ENgland.
Thanks
Pauline
Hi, really keen to make this but was wondering what seam allowance was used and if it was included in these measurements or added on extra?
Thanks,
Hannah
Hi Hannah, I used a quarter inch seam and that was accounted for in my strips (so the 1.5″ strip will end up being 1″ when sewn together). However you may want to widen your strips if you have a bigger pillow form. Math….ewww!! ;)
Thank you so much for this tutorial, I have made 3 different cushions in different colourways and they all look fantastic. Guess what everyone is getting for Christmas !!
Oi Kirsty!
Thanks for the great tutorial! I made my version of your cushion as a gift to a friend, and she loved it! Thank you!
If you want, you can check it out at http://www.amorascrafts.blogspot.com.br/2013/01/union-jack.html
Thanks again ;)
Keren Moura
Wow just found your site and I so loved your cushion that I had to lcomment!
Thanks Jill! Happy sewing and see you again soon!
Wow, this was a surprise! And the fabric looks much prettier transformed in the Union Jack. I am glad that you could find such a great use of the old charm pack.
Was I three when I bought it? Cann’t remember now…
Spectacular!!!
Awesome! Loved reading this post!
Great tutorial and beautiful cushions.
Thanks for sharing.
Ali x
I really love your flag!
Love your interpretation of the Union flag ( Nicola I’m with you – can’t be a Union Jack if it’s not on a jack staff! ) I’m sure I’ve still got some of that Laura Ashley fabric somewhere, now where’s that box………
I know, I know, but if I called it a Union Flag pillow everyone would think of the American Civil War! Well, at least that’s what comes to mind for me. I hope all you good people of the UK will forgive me.
Thank you…I want to try one of these soon!
I love it
Funny, I’ve been thinking of doing the same thing, but haven’t. Never mind making a tutorial about it!! Love it, but you know for it really to be a Jack you have to stick it on a boat ;)
Beautiful, just beautiful! The perfect use for this fabric!
Well done!
Love it! I have seen a few of these around in the shops and now I can make my own! Love your fabrics that you used.
Cath
Bits ‘n Bobs
You seem to do it all, don’t you!
Love it!
m.
Heh, good country combo!
What a gorgeous result! I am hopeless at this kind of thing, it took me 1 year to help my kids make a bear, and it’s already coming apart at the seams! So I’m extra impressed :-)
This is a fantastic tutorial Kirsty, I just love your cushion. Thanks for sharing.
Anne xx