Christmas Patchwork Pillow Tutorial

I can hardly believe it's December already.  The days are just flying by and I'm still trying to put up the rest of the Christmas decorations!  

This week I pulled out our Advent Calendar and all of our fun Christmas pillows.  I wanted to add a new one this year so I grabbed some favorite Christmas-colored scraps and got to work.

I made a similar pillow to this one a couple of years ago but I wanted to update the colors for this new version.  And I thought I'd share how I made it!  Here's what you'll need for this 18" pillow:

Supplies
81 (2.5") squares
22" x 22" piece of muslin or solid white fabric
22" x 22" piece of thin batting
at least 6" coordinating print for binding
1/3 yard of coordinating print for backing
18" pillow insert

You will need 81 (2.5") squares.  I dug through my scrap bin and cut them to size, but an easy way to get these is to cut charm squares into 4 equal pieces, or to cut some squares from left-over jelly roll strips.  

Decide on a layout for your squares. You'll need 9 rows with 9 squares in each for an 18" pillow. I did a diagonal pattern alternating between the three colors (red/pink, aqua, green) but a random, scrappy pattern would be great too.

Sew your squares together into rows, then join rows.  I like to press all odd numbered rows to the left and even numbered rows to the right.  Then when I join the rows, the intersecting seams will nest beautifully.  

Layer the 22" piece of muslin, the 22" piece of thin batting, and the pillow top.  I like to spray baste for this step using some 505 Spray but you could also pin baste.  

Then quilt your pillow however you'd like.  I used my walking foot and did some straight line quilting using the seams as my guides.

This is what the quilting looks like from the back...

...and from the front.  Simple, clean lines helps the fabric really be the star of the show!  Trim the extra batting and muslin from the edges of the pillow so that it measures 18.5" x 18.5".

From the backing fabric cut two rectangles that are 12" x 18.5".  On one long edge of both backing pieces, fold under 1/2" and press, then fold under again and press. Stitch along the first fold line to hold it in place and create a nice, finished edge.  

Place the quilted and trimmed pillow front right side down on the table.  Then layer the two pillow backing pieces right side up with the finished edges overlapping in the middle of the pillow, and the raw edges lining up with the raw edges of the pillow front.  

Pin around the outer edges of the entire pillow.

Then using a basting stitch, baste around the entire pillow about 1/8" in from the edge.  This will hold all the layers together as you add the binding, and your basting stitches will be hidden under the binding.

From the binding fabric cut two 2.5" x 42" strips.  Sew them together end to end to make a binding and then bind the pillow as you would a quilt.  Add the pillow insert and it's ready to use!

Want to make a pillow that's a different size?  I have a guest post over at Diary of a Quilter today sharing my easy trick for making an envelope backing for any size pillow.  It's an easy-to-remember formula and I use it every time I'm making a pillow.  

#christmaspatchworkpillow #abrightcorner

Thanks for stopping by, and happy sewing everyone!
--Andy

Sweet Daisy Baby Quilt + A Stitch in Time Book

On this snowy Saturday I have a sweet little baby quilt finish to share with you.  And this is quite possibly the sweetest little baby quilt I've ever done!  It's almost too dainty and feminine to stay too long in my house full of boys :).

The pattern for this Sweet Daisy baby quilt is from the new book by Sharon Burgess, A Stitch In Time (Tuva Publishing).  This book has 18 fun English paper piecing projects ranging from a small pincushion to pillows, bags, placemats, a dolly, and this baby quilt. That's quite a range of projects!

Even though the book is filled with lovely English paper piecing projects, it's not just EPP.  Each project does have an EPP element to it, like this quilt-- but if EPP isn't your forte, you could still tackle these projects and have fun doing it!

And Sharon takes you through each step - with plenty of photos and diagrams. She shares her favorite EPP tools, and techniques for making templates, cutting the fabrics and even how to glue baste those curved edges of the flower petals.  (It's not as tricky as you'd think.  Do a couple of practice petals and you'll get the technique down quickly!)

I feel like this quilt would be a good project for someone that's new to English paper piecing.

Each flower is made (hand stitched using EPP) and then they're appliqued onto a background fabric.

Then one simple floral border frames everything beautifully!  The finished quilt measures 35" x 40".

You can find the A Stitch In Time book here on Amazon, and if you're on Instagram go and check out the other projects from the book under the hashtag: #astitchintimeepp.  It's been fun to see what others are making from the book!

The fabrics for this quilt are all from the newest line from Lella Boutique called Garden Variety (Moda) and they should be in your local quilt shop now!  But I'm guessing they won't last long.  At my local shop several of these bolts were already looking pretty thin.


Quilt Details:
35" x 40"
Pattern:  Sweet Daisy baby quilt from A Stitch In Time book
Fabric: Garden Variety by Lella Boutique for Moda
Quilting:  Fanciful Flyers computerized edge-to-edge design
Backing:  Flannel from Marcus Fabric

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.

Poinsetta Quilt Block + Vintage Christmas Sew Along

Happy Friday!  I have a cute little quilt block to share with you today as a part of the Vintage Christmas Sew Along with the Fat Quarter Shop.  

This little poinsetta block measures just 6.5" x 6.5" and the pattern for this block can be found in the Vintage Christmas book by Lori Holt.  Have you heard about this book?  It has 42 different Christmas blocks - such as a snowman, candy canes, jingle bells, stars, stained glass, and a wreath.

Each block comes with instructions for both the 6" size and the 12".  And then the last half of the book is filled with great projects to inspire you!  You can mix and match the blocks to make things like table runners:

...cute placemats...

...and of course quilts...

...and more quilts.  All instructions for these projects are included in the book.

You can find the Vintage Christmas book here from The Fat Quarter Shop.  Each Friday we're sewing along with the Jolly Jabber (the Fat Quarter Shop blog).  It's not too late to join in, or sew along at your own pace - you still have plenty of time to get some of these darling projects done before Christmas.  

I'll be back with my second block of the quilt along in a few weeks!
Happy sewing,
--Andy

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.

Splendid Sampler Blocks

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to my friends here in the USA.  I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend filled with family, friends, fun, and of course food!

I just wanted to share my latest few Splendid Sampler blocks with you. The book is now available and we're sewing blocks from the book - four blocks each week - but you can choose to do all of them or just one or two each week!  

This week's block is actually a bonus block so it's a free block pattern not found in the book.

It's designed by Pat Sloan and it's called Magic Squares.

Last week's block was also a bonus block- this one was designed by Jane Davidson and it's called The Last Leaf

You can find the free pattern for this block here.

These next three blocks are ones that are from previous weeks but can also be found in the book.

This one is called Around Four Corners designed by Rachael Daisy.  It's a pretty clever design, and I love the optical illusion created by the circles!

This block below is called Ticker Tape and it was designed by Debby Brown.

It's a foundation pieced block which really helps with the accuracy of all of those interlocking seams!

This next block was a fun one.  It's called Hashtag Love designed by Jane Davidson.

It's a quick little applique block and I just used some Heat n Bond Lite and a straight stitch to finish off the pieces.  

I do love the mix of techniques used in the book - we've tried foundation piecing, applique, embroidery and traditional piecing. If you haven't joined in the fun yet, you can still order the book here on Amazon.

There's a Facebook group to join here where everyone is sharing their blocks and tips.

And you can read more about the Splendid Sampler Sew Along here on the official website.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
--Andy

Raindrop Drawstring Bag Tutorial

How does the saying go?...Necessity is the mother of invention?  Well that's how this bag came to be.  I needed a little bag that was quick to sew and was big enough to hold a handful of candy and I wanted it to have a unique shape.  It needed to have a wee bit of personality.  

And so the Raindrop Drawstring Bag was born!  These were so fun and fast to make so I decided to share a tutorial here with you.

First of all, aren't these valentine prints so sweet?  It's a little novelty line by Riley Blake Designs called Punny Valentine.  I'm using the teal print but there's also two different pinks plus a couple of other coordinating prints.  See more of them here.  

Alright - ready to make a bag?  Here's what you'll need: 

• A 10" square of fabric for bag **
• 1 yard of 1/4" or 3/8" grosgrain ribbon
• Bag template (download PDF here)
• Helpful tools: Coordinating thread, scissors, pencil, pinking shears, safety pin, iron

**want to make more than one bag?  
-- one layer cake square (10") makes 1 bag
-- 1 fat quarter can make 4 bags
-- 1/4 yard of fabric can make 4 bags

Step 1:  Cut your fabric into two rectangles measuring 5" x 8 1/2"

Step 2:  Decide which end is the bottom of the bag (if you're using directional prints this is important!)  

With a pencil, trace the bag shape onto the wrong side of one of the rectangles.  Really you'll only need to trace the curved bottom edge of the bag since the straight edges of the template will line up with the top and sides of the rectangle.  

Stack both fabric pieces together and cut along the lines with scissors.  

Step 3:  On the wrong side of one of the pieces, make a small marking at 2.75" from the top edge and at 3.5" from the top edge of the bag.  Make the same marks on the opposite edge of the same bag piece.  These markings tell you where to stop and start sewing and will create an opening for the ribbon to be inserted at a later step.  

Step 4:  Along the top edge, fold down 1/2" and press.  Then fold over again 1 1/2" and press.  Press both bag pieces.

Step 5:  Unfold top edge and place the two bag pieces right sides together. Pin together along the sides and bottom.

Step 6:  Using a 1/4" seam, stitch around the sides and bottom of bag, leaving the area between the marked lines open.

Step 7:  With the pinking shears, trim the seam allowance around the curved bottom edge of the bag.  Clip close to the seam, but be careful not to clip through the seam!

Step 8:  Turn bag right side out.  On the inside of the bag, run your finger along the bottom inside seam to gently push out the fabric along the curved edge.  Then lay the bag flat and give just the bottom of the bag a quick press to make that curved edge nice and smooth.    

Step 9:  Fold the top edge under 1/2" along the pressed fold line and then again 1 1/2" along the pressed fold line.  Use a couple of pins to hold it in place.

Step 10:  On the inside of the bag, stitch around the bag opening close to the first folded edge.  Then stitch a second time 5/8" from the top edge.  This will create a channel for the ribbon.

Step 11:  Cut two lengths of ribbon, each 17" long.  Place a safety pin at one end of one of the ribbons.  The pin will make it easier to guide the ribbon through the channel.   

Push the pin through the opening on one side of the bag.  Thread the ribbon around the entire bag, having it exit out the same hole it entered.  

Remove the pin, knot the ribbon ends together and trim with pinking shears to keep them from fraying.

Step 12:  Place the pin on the end of the second ribbon.  Thread that ribbon through the hole in the opposite side seam of the bag.  Push the ribbon around the entire bag, having it exit the same hole it entered.  Remove the pin, knot the ribbon ends and trim ends with pinking shears. 

There should be a knotted ribbon on each side of the bag.  Pull the ribbons to cinch the bag closed.

Your bag is done! Fill it with candy, earbuds, jewelry, more candy, a gift card....whatever!  

Here are my four bags together. I must warn you - these are fast and fun and a little addicting.  I really just needed one bag but these prints all looked so good together so I just kept going!

Want to save this for later?  Pin the image below to your Pinterest board so you can find it when you need to.  And if you make a bag I'd love to see it!  Tag me (@abrightcorner) and use the hashtags #raindropdrawstringbag and #abrightcorner.  

Happy sewing, and enjoy your weekend!

--Andy