It’s Jamie again from Sew Brainy Designs and I’m back with my 2022 Make it Modern Pillows series! This year I’m bringing you some fresh and bold modern quilt blocks that were designed specifically to be 18″ pillows! They are quick and easy, plus they’re a good way to bust your scrap stash or show off that designer RBD fabric that you love!
In case you missed it, October’s pillow uses some triangles to make a cool geometric pattern. You can get that tutorial below!
November’s pillow is a chunky & modern log cabin block.
I love the funky fall colors here for November!
I’m not usually a fan of brown, but it looks so good here!
Here’s my usual matchstick quilting design using Aurifil 50wt. white thread.
This month’s pillow features their Confetti Cottons solids. The colors I used (in order from left to right) were Mustard, Mac n Cheese, Autumn, Cinnamon, and Brownie.
And of course I love allll the solids! There are so many good colors!
Now let’s make a pillow!
November Pillow Tutorial
Pattern Notes
- Please read through all instructions before beginning.
- Seam allowances are 1/4″ unless specified.
- WOF = Width of Fabric; pattern assumes yardage is a minimum of 42″
- RST = Right sides together
- Press all seams open (or in preferred direction) unless specified.
- Fat Eighth Precut = 9″ × 21″
Material Requirements
For the block (pillow top):
This pattern uses (1) background fabric [FABRIC A] and (5) accent fabrics [FABRICS B-F]. Below are the requirements to make ONE 18″ block.
For the pillow body:
- (1) 22-24″ square piece of muslin or other fabric (for quilting the top)
- (1) 22-24″ square piece of batting (for quilting the top)
- (2) 13″ × 18½” pieces of backing fabric (for the pillow envelope)
- (1) 20″ pillow form (my favorite one to use is the FJÄDRAR from IKEA!)
Cutting Directions
Cut the fabric below in the specified order and label each cut with the letter/number in the [bracket].
From FABRIC A, cut:
- (1) 4½” square [A1]
From FABRIC B, cut:
- (1) 4½” × 18½” squares [B2]
- (1) 4½” × 14½” squares [B1]
From FABRIC C, cut:
- (1) 3½” × 14½” squares [C2]
- (1) 3½” × 11½” squares [C1]
From FABRIC D, cut:
- (1) 2½” × 11½” squares [D2]
- (1) 2½” × 9½” squares [D1]
From FABRIC E, cut:
- (1) 3½” × 9½” squares [E2]
- (1) 3½” × 6½” squares [E1]
From FABRIC F, cut:
- (1) 2½” × 6½” squares [F2]
- (1) 2½” × 4½” squares [F1]
Piecing Directions
1. Lay out (1) A1, (1) F1, and (1) F2 as shown below. First, sew the F1 to the left side of the A1. Press seam. Then sew the F2 to the top of the A1/F1 unit. Press seam. This will be the anchor unit that you will attach all other fabric pieces to.
2. Lay out the unit from STEP 1, (1) E1, and (1) E2 as shown below. First, sew the E1 to the left side of the unit. Press seam. Then sew the E2 to the top of the unit. Press seam.
3. Lay out the unit from STEP 2, (1) D1, and (1) D2 as shown below. First, sew the D1 to the right side of the unit. Press seam. Then sew the D2 to the bottom of the unit. Press seam.
4. Lay out the unit from STEP 3, (1) C1, and (1) C2 as shown below. First, sew the C1 to the right side of the unit. Press seam. Then sew the C2 to the bottom of the unit. Press seam.
5. Lay out the unit from STEP 4, (1) B1, and (1) B2 as shown below. First, sew the B1 to the right side of the unit. Press seam. Then sew the B2 to the bottom of the unit. Press seam.
6. Your block is now complete!
7. Layer the completed block on top of the 22-24″ batting and muslin squares and quilt the pillow top as desired. When you are done, trim the block to 18½”.
Note – if you add dense quilting like I did, your top may shrink a bit in size. Just trim it to the largest square that you can. You can trim the width of envelope backing fabric a bit in the next step if needed in order to match your actual top size.
8. Create a finished edge on the long side of each of the (2) 13″ × 18½” pieces of envelope backing by folding 1/2″ of fabric over the wrong side TWICE. Stitch a seam near the edge to secure it.
9. With the square top facing up, layer the envelope pieces RST on top of it as shown below and sew a 3/8″ seam around the edge of the pillow top.
10. Trim the edges of the corners a bit to reduce bulk. Turn the pillow case inside out and insert your pillow form. Your pillow is now done! Enjoy your fun modern make!
I can’t wait to see all the beautiful pillows everyone makes! They can be very addicting! Be sure to share them on social media! #makeitmodernpillows #iloverileyblake #sewbrainydesigns.
I’m also working on a 5-color version of all my blocks to make a sampler quilt. You can check out that post HERE on my blog. I’ll see you in July with some Blossom fabric and some squares!
Until later, happy quilting!
Jamie
Jamie is the creative brain behind Sew Brainy Designs. This self-proclaimed science nerd loves bright colors, big blocks, Mid-century modern design, and using as few seams as possible. Find all of her Make It Modern Pillows on the Riley Blake Designs blog!