It’s Jamie again from Sew Brainy Designs and I’m back with my very last 2022 Make it Modern Pillows series! This year I brought you some fresh and bold modern quilt blocks that were designed specifically to be 18″ pillows! They were quick and easy, plus they were a good way to bust your scrap stash or show off that designer RBD fabric that you love!
In case you missed it, November’s pillow was a chunky & modern log cabin block. You can get that tutorial below!
December’s block reminds me of a bright and happy star even though it’s not technically a star.
I went with Christmas colors this month (of course) and pink is always in my holiday color scheme!
I actually kind of want this as a tree topper now!
Here’s my usual matchstick quilting design using Aurifil 50wt. white thread.
This month’s pillow features Blossom Fabric by Christopher Thompson. Blossom is probably my favorite RBD basic. The colors options are fantastic and the random pattern hides seams perfectly! The colors I used (in order from left to right) were Emerald City, Green Smoothie, Red, Raspberry, and Honey.
And there are so many great colors of the Blossom line to choose from which is why I love it so much!
Now let’s make a pillow!
December 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 Quarter Precut (FQ) = 18″ × 21″
- 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:
- (4) 4½” squares [A3]
- (8) 3½” squares [A2]
- (8) 2½” squares [A1]
From FABRIC B cut:
- (4) 2½” × 6½” rectangles [B2]
- (4) 2½” × 4½” rectangles [B1]
From FABRIC C, D, E, and F, cut:
- (1) 3½” × 9½” rectangle [C2, D2, E2, F2]
- (1) 3½” × 6½” rectangle [C1, D1, E1, F1]
Piecing Directions
1. Before beginning, prepare all (8) A1 squares and (8) A2 squares by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric from one corner to the opposite corner using a fabric marker.
2. For the C1 rectangle, you will be using (1) 3½” A2 square to create a triangle the top right corner using the “Stitch and Flip” method.
Pair (1) A2 square and (1) C1 rectangle RST as shown below, noting the position of the marked line. Stitch on the line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the line, flip the triangle over, and press seam.
3. Repeat STEP 2 to create the following combinations below.
4. For the C2 rectangle, you will be using (1) 3½” A2 square to create a triangle the top left corner using the “Stitch and Flip” method.
Pair (1) A2 square and (1) C2 rectangle RST as shown below, noting the position of the marked line. Stitch on the line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the line, flip the triangle over, and press seam.
5. Repeat STEP 4 to create the following combinations below.
6. For each B1 rectangle, you will be using (1) 2½” A1 square to create a triangle the top right corner using the “Stitch and Flip” method.
Pair (1) A1 square and (1) B1 rectangle RST as shown below, noting the position of the marked line. Stitch on the line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the line, flip the triangle over, and press seam.
7. Repeat STEP 6 for a total of FOUR A1/B1 units.
8. For each B2 rectangle, you will be using (1) 2½” A1 square to create a triangle the bottom right corner using the “Stitch and Flip” method.
Pair (1) A1 square and (1) B2 rectangle RST as shown below, noting the position of the marked line. Stitch on the line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the line, flip the triangle over, and press seam.
9. Repeat STEP 8 for a total of FOUR A1/B2 units.
10. Lay out (1) A3 square, (1) B1/A1 (from STEP 6), and (1) B2/A1 (from STEP 7), noting the orientation of the blocks. First sew the B1 to the left side of the A3 square. Press seam. Then sew the B2 to the bottom of the unit. Press seam. Trim to 6½” square if needed. This will be the ANCHOR BLOCK of each corner.
11. Repeat STEP 10 for a total of FOUR units.
12. Lay out (1) ANCHOR BLOCK and the two COLOR C/A units as shown below, noting the orientation of the blocks. First sew the C1 unit to the left side of the ANCHOR BLOCK. Press seam. Then sew the C2 to the bottom of that unit. Press seam. Trim to 9½” square if needed.
13. Repeat STEP 12 to create the following combinations below.
14. Lay out the FOUR units created in STEP 12 & 13. Sew the TWO blocks in each row together. Press seams. Sew the TWO rows together. Press seams. Trim block to 18½” square if needed.
15. Your block is now complete!
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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!