Free Pattern: Christmas Joy Pillow

July 25, 201711 Comments

While Sandy was visiting, we went to the Red Rooster Quilt Store in Dublin, Ohio. They have a great selection of 2017 Christmas fabrics in stock!

Jingle Toss by Maywood Studio caught my eye because it has a colorful mix of Christmas words and graphics. I bought 2 fat quarters, a few coordinating fabrics and designed a pillow cover. Here is the result!

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I designed the pillow cover to fit a 16 x 16 inch pillow form. It’s the perfect size for my couch…not to big and not too small!

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I used three pairs of ties at the top of the pillow to finish the closure. To make these ties, I used extra wide, double fold bias tape. I think the red bias tape ties in nicely (oops…pun intended!) with the red “JOY”. Here is a closer look at the ties, they are knotted at the ends for extra texture.

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If you are a beginning quilter, this step by step pattern can guide you through this easy weekend project.

You can download the pattern using this link: Christmas Joy Pillow 07 25 17

I will also post this pattern on the FaveQuilts website. If you haven’t visited the FaveQuilts website, be sure to take a look! You will find hundreds of FREE quilt patterns and amazing inspiration. FaveQuilts hosts a wide variety of quilting tutorials, eBooks, techniques and videos for quilters of all skill levels. Stop by and take a look at all the seasonal quilt patterns they offer and did I mention they are FREE?

I hope this pillow brings you (or someone you love) Christmas JOY for many years to come!

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Family Pillow

June 26, 2017June 26, 20176 Comments

We posted the “Celebrate Your Family” wall hanging pattern last week and received so many positive responses! Thank you!

I made a practice panel before I published the pattern. As I finished working on my “Family” practice panel, I realized I needed to tweak a few things for the final pattern. What to do with the practice panel? I decided to make a pillow!

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I had about a 1/2 yard of black and white print in my stash which was just the right amount to make a 4 inch outer border. I like how the pink tones really pop with the solid black inner border.

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I quilted the front of the pillow with straight line stitches and finished it with an envelope back. I had to make my own pillow form because the pillow cover is longer than a standard pillow form.

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I’m going to drop this in the mail to mom tomorrow. I think she might use it as a throw pillow on her bed as it matches her pink, black and white lonestar quilt. I can’t wait to hear what she thinks of her family pillow!

Pillow Talk!

March 9, 201711 Comments

Wandering through the fabric aisles, wistfully looking at spring fabrics, I happened upon two bright prints that quickly became mine! I was craving a fast, easy project and decided to make two pillow covers, quilted of course!

I outlined the paisleys with my machine. It was good practice for curves!

After quilting, I wanted a nice straight edge around the pillow. I used a furniture floor guide as a seam marker. The bottom is sticky and stays in place and it is just the right thickness to manage the layers of fabric easily.

Here is the finished pillow, LUV!

Next, I moved on to my modern feathers fabric. I drew a grid using light pencil lines spaced 2 inches apart and worked my way around the entire pillow in no time!

Here’s the finished pillow.

I made envelope backs for the pillows. Can we say “fast and easy”?!

Misc. Monday

April 4, 2016April 4, 20161 Comment

Two years ago, I made this quilt for my friend, Brenda, who was being treated for breast cancer. I wanted her to wrap herself in love while she went through those long days and nights that follow chemo treatments. She has since recovered and is doing very well.

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Another friend of mine, Jo, gave me a pillow with the phrase in the photo below. Looking at this pillow always makes me smile and reminds me that I have such good friends. We love and support each other in good times and bad.

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With some of the leftover fabric from Brenda’s quilt, I remade my “Jo Pillow” to fit a new color scheme in my sewing room. This line from Red Rooster Fabrics has lovely shades of red, pink, tan and cream. I lightly quilted the top and made an envelope style closure for the back.

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