How to Make a Patchwork Pillow
By: Corinne from Heart of Mary
How to Make a Patchwork Pillow
If you're brand new to quilting and patchwork, free patchwork pillow patterns like this one are a great place to start. The How to Make a Patchwork Pillow tutorial will get you familiar with piecing squares and adding a border. DIY pillows can save you a lot of money in the long run because pillows, despite being easy to make, can be expensive. You can sew expensive-looking pillows that match your existing or ideal home decor perfectly for less time and money than looking for them and buying them at the department store.
Project TypeMake a Project
Quilt Size15.5 inches wide x 15.5 inches long
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Primary TechniquePieced
Materials:
- 18 - 5" x 5" cotton quilting squares in assorted prints
- approximately 18" x 25" plain cotton fabric for borders (I used natural linen)
- polyester filling
- sewing essentials such as matching thread, needle, sewing machine, ruler, marker, pins, etc.
Seam Allowance: 3/8" throughout
Instructions:
- Cut plain cotton fabric in the following manner:
4 pieces - 2-3/4" x 13-1/2" for top and bottom edges of pillow
4 pieces - 17-1/2" x 2-3/4" for right and left sides of pillow
- Position nine squares into 3 rows of 3 squares each row until desired layout is achieved.
- Assemble top row by stitching the squares right sides together. Press the seams down to the right.
- Stitch the middle and bottom rows in the same way. Press the seams down in alternating directions.
- Stitch rows right sides together along the long sides to complete the 3 by 3 patchwork square. Be sure that all seamlines are aligned. Press the horizontal seams open.
- With right sides together, sew top and bottom strips to patchwork square. Press top seam upward and bottom seam downward.
- With right sides together, sew right and left strips to the patchwork square. Press right seam to the right and left seam to the left.
- Repeat steps 2 to 7 for the other side of the pillow using the remaining squares and strips.
- With right sides together, sew front and back of pillow all around but leave a 3" opening in the bottom for turning. Clip corners.
- Turn pillowcase right side out, pushing corners out well. Stuff firmly with polyester filling.
- Slipstitch the opening closed.
- There you have it, you're all done! Easy, wasn't it? Enjoy your new, one-of-a-kind patchwork pillow!
