The other day when I took photos of the new Charm Box quilt I felt as though the bed looked a little naked, or 'nay-nay' as we say in our house. As I was putting together the requirements for adapting the new free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop into a twin size, I realized a pillow was in order. I've created this tutorial for a standard size (20 x 26") pillow that matches the quilt and uses either scraps from the big quilt or two mini charm packs.
I used 54 2.5" squares for the front. Mini charm squares are perfect as they are pre-cut, but as I was using scraps from the twin size quilt I used my Sizzix Bigz XL die - 2.5" squares (unfinished) with my Fabi and quickly die cut squares out of the scraps. Half of the 2.5" squares in the pillow are light and half are dark. Pick out 18 light squares and 36 dark. Leave the light-colored squares in tact and cut the dark ones into 2.5 x 1.5" rectangles (there will be a small piece of scrap). Arrange the pieces in three rows of six as shown above. I laid them out on a piece of fabric just because it was there. ;) Sew each of the 18 mini blocks together using 1/4" seam allowances. I pressed seams to the center.
All the sashing was die cut with a Bigz XL 25" Die - 2.5" wide strips and then hand cut into appropriate lengths.
Cut 15 pieces of sashing, 4.5 x 2.5" each. Arrange as above and sew each row together using 1/4" seam allowances. I pressed seams toward the sashing.
I never precut all my sashing, choosing instead to cut it as I go. This way I avoid having to recut if and when I discover that it's slightly too short. (Isn't it awful when that happens?) Cut four pieces of sashing, 2.5 x 22.5" each, but measure your rows first to make sure. I pressed seams toward the sashing again.
Sew the rows to the sashing in pairs and then sew the whole thing together.
Next cut two pieces of 2.5 x 20.5" sashing for the sides, checking the measurements before you pick up the rotary cutter. Add the final two pieces of sashing.
Fuse the completed top onto a piece of Pellon Fusible Fleece that is slightly larger. Quilt as desired!
I stuck with straight lines that echo the prints and are similar to the quilting on the quilt.
I had enough of the Ladder Lines in Sage left over from the back of the quilt to make a pillow back. I fused it to Fusible Fleece and quilted it with a straight line pattern.
Now for the zipper (at least 22" in length is a good idea). Determine which long sides of the pillow pieces you want on the bottom. Right sides together, sew a basting stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance. Press seam open, being careful to avoid the sticky side of the Fusible Fleece with the iron. Place the zipper upside down on top of the seam, as shown above. Since I already had my walking foot on the sewing machine, I used it to install the zipper!
I generally don't use pins for pillow zippers, but leave this end unfinished until I can unzip a bit to get the pull out of the way. I also add little scraps at the ends.
Flip it over and use a seam ripper to tear out the basted seam. I love this part. Make sure the zipper is still partially unzipped, fold the pillow back together with right sides facing and sew around the remaining three sides with 1/2" seam allowance.
This double clipping technique helps achieve pointy corners. Turn the pillow right side out, press the seams and insert a pillow form.
Much better, yes? Less 'nay nay.' :) For my original post about the quilt and the requirements to turn the original Fat Quarter Shop pattern into a twin, please go here. Thanks so much to everyone for your kind comments!
