It’s Jamie again from Sew Brainy Designs! Last year I brought you a bunch of modern pillow patterns that I hope you had fun making. And guess what…I’m back again with more pillows this year! In case you missed 2022 pillow fun, you can click the link below. New this year is a fun Facebook Group so we can all sew along together! The group is brand new and I hope you’ll join and sew along with me.
August’s pillow used chunky log cabin units that had a fun offset horizontal repeat. In case you missed it, click on the link below to check it out.
September’s block uses flying geese and that come together to form zig zags.
I love the fun movement that I’m getting with all these pillow designs!
There are so many good color schemes you could use!
It’s always fun to play with blues and purples!
I did a 1/2″ grid quilting with Aurifil 50wt. white thread for this fantastic texture!
This month’s pillow features new basic fabric POParazzi by the Riley Blake Designers. The colors I used (in order from top to bottom) were Grape, Orchid, Violet, Peacock, Aqua, Powder, Blue, and Navy.
I’m really a fan of this new collection!
Now let’s make a pillow!
September 2023 Pillow Tutorial
Pattern Notes
- Please read through all instructions before beginning.
- Seam allowances are 1/4″ unless specified.
- RST = Right Sides Together
- Press all seams open (or in preferred direction) unless specified.
- To avoid confusion, there is no Fabric I.
Material Requirements
For the block (pillow top):
This pattern uses (1) background fabric [FABRIC A] and (9) accent fabrics [FABRICS B-K]. 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) 13½” × 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
From BACKGROUND FABRIC A, cut:
- (9) 3½” × 6½” [A2]
- (18) 3½” squares [A1]
From each of the FABRICS B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K cut:
- (1) 3½” × 6½” [B2, C2, D2, E2, F2, G2, H2, J2, K2]
- (2) 3½” squares [B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, G1, H1, J1, K1]
Piecing Directions
1. Prepare all (36) 3½″ squares [FABRICS A-K] by using a fabric marking tool to draw a line diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of the fabric.
2. Using (2) A1 squares and (1) B2 rectangle, you will make ONE flying geese unit using the stitch and flip method.
Pair (1) A1 RST to the top left corner of B2 as shown below. Stitch on the diagonal line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the seam, flip triangle outward, and press seam.
3. Pair (1) A1 RST to the top right corner of the unit as shown below. Stitch on the diagonal line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the seam, flip triangle outward, and press seam. Trim to 3½″ × 6½” if needed.
4. Repeat STEPS 2-3 with the other A1 squares and C2/D2/E2/F2/G2/H2/J2/K2 rectangles to yield a total of NINE flying geese units that have the ACCENT COLORS in the center and the BACKGROUND COLOR on the edges.
5. Using (2) B1 squares and (1) A2 rectangle, you will make ONE flying geese unit using the stitch and flip method.
Pair (1) B1 RST to the top left corner of A2 as shown below. Stitch on the diagonal line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the seam, flip triangle outward, and press seam.
6. Pair (1) B1 RST to the top right corner of the unit as shown below. Stitch on the diagonal line, trim 1/4″ on the outside of the seam, flip triangle outward, and press seam. Trim to 3½″ × 6½” if needed.
7. Repeat STEPS 5-6 with the other A2 rectangles and C1/D1/E1/F1/G1/H1/J1/K1 squares to yield a total of NINE flying geese units that have the BACKGROUND COLOR in the center and ACCENT COLORS on the edges.
8. This pattern has two different blocks made with the same two pieces (in different positions). An A BLOCK has a white BACKGROUND COLOR arrow, and a B BLOCK has an ACCENT COLOR arrow. Organize your fabrics to determine which blocks will be A and B.
9. To make an A BLOCK, lay out two FLYING GEESE with the same colors so that you have a white BACKGROUND COLOR arrow as shown below. Sew the two pieces together in the center and press the seam. Trim to 6½” square if needed.
10. Repeat STEP 9 to create the other (4) A BLOCKS.
11. To make a B BLOCK, lay out two FLYING GEESE with the same color so that the arrow is in the ACCENT COLOR as shown below. Sew the two pieces together in the center and press the seam. Trim to 6½” square if needed.
12. Repeat STEP 11 to create the other (3) B BLOCKS.
13. Lay out all (9) A and B blocks as shown below. Sew the (3) pieces in each row together and press seams.
NOTE: Before you sew, double check the A/B block placement and the 180 degree rotation of the blocks in the second row.
14. Sew all (3) rows together and press seams.
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, 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) 13½″ × 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.
If you check out my blog, I have some more color mockups and some freebie coloring pages you can download. Plus a sneak peek of a companion quilt pattern for this block that’s coming soon!
I’ll see you in October with some Shabby Fabric and some squares and rectangles! Don’t forget to join us in the Facebook Group!
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!