Zigzag Snowflake Patchwork Pillow
Sewing a pillow cover is a clever way to switch out your seasonal home decor without buying new items every season. Make this Zigzag Snowflake Patchwork Pillow to give your home a festive, winter feel. A simple zigzag patchwork background made of half-square triangles sets off bright snowflake appliques. Choose red and and blue fabrics for this seasonal pillow, and you can use it from Christmas through the end of winter.
Project TypeMake a Project
Time to CompleteWeekend project
Primary TechniquePieced & Appliqued
MATERIALS:
- HeatnBond® Lite Iron-on Adhesive (Sewable)
- Black - 4-1/2” x width of fabric (WOF)
- Blue check (backing) – 33” x WOF
- Red herringbone (binding) – 11” x WOF
- Blue Snowman – 4-1/2” x WOF
- Red dots – 4-1/2” x WOF
- Red and cream stripe – 8” x 20”
- 1 Regular bed pillow
- Coordinating Aurifil thread
- Iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cutting Directions: (Pillow and matching 12” square trivet):
Black
- Cut 1 strip 4” x WOF
- Cut this strip into 10 squares 4” x 4”
Blue Check
- Cut 2 squares 18-1/2” x 18-1/2” for pillow back
- Cut 2 strips 4” x WOF
- Cut these strips into 20 squares 4” x 4”
- Cut 1 strip 4” x 16”
- Cut this strip into 4 squares 4” x 4”
Red Herringbone
- Cut 1 strip 4” x 16”
- Cut this strip into 8 squares 4” x 4”
Blue Snowman
- Cut 1 strip 4” x 16”
- Cut this strip into 8 squares 4” x 4”
Red Dots
- Cut 1 strip 4” x 16”
- Cut this strip into 8 squares 4” x 4”
Red and Cream Stripe
- Iron HeatnBond® Lite to the back of the fabric, then trace 3 snowflakes and 18 dots (using the included template) onto the HeatnBond® liner paper and cut them out.
Assembly:
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Sort your fabrics into color pairs
- 5 Black & Blue Check
- 5 Blue Check & 5 Red Herringbone
- 5 Red Herringbone & 5 Snowman
- 5 Snowman & 5 Red Dots
- 5 Red dots & 5 Blue Check
-
5 Blue Check & 5 Black
-
Now make them ALL into Half Square Triangle (HST) units. You will have leftovers for a 12” block to make into something else! Draw a diagonal line on wrong side of fabric. Put a pair right sides together.
-
Sew a scant 1/4” on either side of the line.
-
Cut ON the line.
-
Press open, align the diagonal of ruler on the seam, and trim the block to 3-1/2” x 3-1/2”
-
Sew, press and trim all the blocks.
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Lay the HST units out in rows to sew. Use only 8 of the HST units per row. (Set extras aside)
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Sew one row at a time. Then sew the rows together.
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After all rows are sewn together, add the 3 snowflakes. Peel back liner off snowflakes, lay on pillow top and iron (per package directions) into place. Repeat with dots.
-
Stitch around edges of snowflakes with pretty Aurifil Thread!
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Take your 2 squares of pillow backing fabric to the ironing board.
-
Fold under about 1/2” and press.
-
Fold under a second time and press.
-
Using your walking foot, sew the flap down close to the fold.
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To make the edge look nice, top stitch close to the outside.
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Layer the 2 backing squares wrong side facing you. Put the pillow top right side facing you.
-
Make sure the pillow top and backing pieces are lined up.
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Pat pinned a bit to hold it together while binding the edge.
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Cut your binding 1-1/2” wide. The flannel is thick. If doing regular cotton you can use double binding. Pat sews her binding on the back and pulls it to the front.
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Sew using coordinating thread. (Pat used red thread on top and blue thread in the bobbin to match.)
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Reverse your machine’s blanket stitch and sew down the binding with your blanket stitch or other decorative stitch.
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Here is the back! A nice finished edge which is wide enough so it won’t open when using the pillow.
TIP from Pat Sloan – When stuffing the bed size pillow in, push it ALL down into the one end. Then pull the flap so that it can expand into the other end of the pillowcase. This is a tight fit for a regular bed pillow. I like the tight fit as it makes a super pillow to lounge with!
Take the extra squares (and if you have Pat’s kit, the extra blue piece) and set the extra blocks for a 12” x 12” block you can use for a trivet, a tote bag, or a smaller companion pillow!
Read NextWinter Snowflake Block Tutorial
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Momof3a
Dec 06, 2012
I think this might take me more than 1 weekend. At least one for cutting and piecing and another to construct.
RedHawt
Dec 05, 2012
Such an adorable pattern that can be used in colors to match any decor! I hate to admit that I have no holiday pillows and will have to start on these so my nieces have something to lay their heads on in front of our tree while they await Santa :)
shuttermom77 63606 68
Dec 05, 2012
I think this pillow is so cute. I need to make a few but will have to wait until after Christmas.
lakeann 7951749
Dec 05, 2012
LOVE the happy design. I will make this for a Christmas present. Thanks. Ann
seron
Dec 05, 2012
I really like the design and your tutorial seems very thorough. I have never tried quilting, but it looks interesting. My craft of choice is crocheting.
pinklightning10
Dec 05, 2012
Very cute. Love the textured look and the simplicity of the pattern. Cant wait to enjoy making this pattern.
Crafter 9240141
Dec 05, 2012
Great directions. On my list for next Christmas as this year's list is full. maybe I should start sooner ??? LOL
kynsial
Dec 05, 2012
The snowflake is very eyecatching. I hope some day I will be able to make this pattern.
sherrikincannon 98 96503
Dec 04, 2012
Very cute pillow! I love working with fusibles and taking small scraps of fabric and making something with them.
Red Rosebud
Dec 04, 2012
I love this pillow it would look great on my chair in my craft room. I am going to save the pattern and after I get done with the project I am working on I am going to start this one.
akaStacy
Dec 04, 2012
This looks like a nice easy winter project! I love anything with snowflakes and making pillow covers to switch out for the seasons is a great idea!
fahs70grad
Dec 04, 2012
The pillow is really cute. I have never done any quilting but this would be something to try...with some guidance.
tammyk
Dec 04, 2012
Very pretty! More advanced than I'm used to, but I'm tempted to try it anyway :)
MrsWindy4
Dec 04, 2012
A great pillow pattern! This pattern could be adapted to make a throw size quilt, too. How fun for an overnight holiday guest to curl up with the pillow/throw set on the guest bed!!
Judichan 8641075
Dec 04, 2012
Very nice pillow, very pretty...not my craft but very interesting...
darlenekrystal 072 6899
Dec 04, 2012
Christmas is great for quilting projects, pillowcase blocks can be used as gift bags, or mini pillows for little nieces...
culleenman 8771345
Dec 04, 2012
It's very pretty. I have never tried quilting but if I do, this would be one I'd try.
Ellen M
Dec 04, 2012
I've bookmarked this tutorial - it's gorgeous!! Thanks for the great idea!
Rebecca C
Dec 04, 2012
ooo i really love this one, ive been wanting to find a good small quilting project to start off with:) thanks for the giveaway:D
Jesus Still Heals
Dec 04, 2012
Beautifully done! LOVE it! Festive and kinda patriotic at the same time! : )
atritch
Dec 04, 2012
Super cute project and looks like a great introduction to quilting.. I'll have to give this a try soon!
wamorris 2383221
Dec 04, 2012
I really enjoyed watching this being made, I'm planning on getting into quilting once all the kids are gone and I have the house to my self
crafty chrissy
Dec 04, 2012
Could change up the colors and use it in a teen girls room! But, I do like it as is in thre den or family room for the holiday season!
reddragun382000 38 03080
Dec 04, 2012
Looks really nice and is a way to quilt without committing to a large project. Thanks!
pedersonsandy 0853 677
Dec 04, 2012
I want to make one. I will try this weekend!!! I need a new look on my couch.
luvs2teach88 26908 38
Dec 04, 2012
That is such a cute pillow. I would put it on my couch. Doesn't look to complicated either.
Crafter 18142
Dec 04, 2012
So cute and festive! I will put that on my project list! This would be so cute on our red sofa!
lbeltran 9569546
Dec 04, 2012
I think I will make 2...One with snowflakes and one I will substitute the snowflakes with snowmen!
Bllebby
Dec 04, 2012
It looks a little complicated to make, but the result is beautiful! I'm sure I could do it if I tried this pattern!
shestar1 6959282
Dec 04, 2012
I think this is really cute! I will have to try this one someday.
ma21cuteboy
Dec 04, 2012
This is really cute and versitle. It may be easy enough for someone like me who doesn't quilt too!
hagstrom 9386946
Dec 04, 2012
Love the idea of only changing the covers - leaves lots less to store after the holiday is over!
esbtucker 9764493
Dec 04, 2012
I am not a a quilter, but this looks like a fun project to try. You could do different themes by varying the fabric
blayne7 2622976
Dec 04, 2012
it's a really cute pillow, but i'm too impatient to make it...too many steps for me.
KristinDragos
Dec 04, 2012
I love the design on this pillow. I may have to take up quilting just to make it!
congrovel 4855272
Dec 04, 2012
This is such a cute design and so suited to winter and/or Christmas decorating.
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