Fabrics Aplenty Pillow

Inspired by: Radiant Glow from designer Kelli Marshall of Simply Mackbeth Design Co.

Project tester: Sarah Huechteman

Finished size: 18" square

Finished block: 17" square

Yardages and cutting instructions are based on 42" of usable fabric width.

• 4—5" squares large-scale prints (block)
• 10" square each of four light large-scale prints (block)
• 10" square each of four dark large-scale prints (block)
• 1/4 yard white print (block)
• 1/8 yard solid blue (border)
• 3/8 yard backing fabric
• 18"-square pillow form

Cut pieces in the following order.

From each light large-scale print, cut:

• 1—2-1/2×7" rectangle
• 1—2-1/2×5" rectangle

From each dark large-scale print, cut:

• 1—2-1/2×9" rectangle
• 1—2-1/2×7" rectangle

From white print, cut:

• 8—4-1/2" squares

From solid blue, cut:

• 2—1×18-1/2" border strips
• 2—1×17-1/2 " border strips

From backing fabric, cut:

• 2—11-3/4 ×18-1/2" backing rectangles

Measurements include 1/4" seam allowances. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Press seams in directions indicated by arrows on diagrams. If no direction is specified, press seam toward darker fabric.

1) Referring to Diagram 1, sew together a light large-scale print 2-1/2×5" rectangle and a large-scale print 5" square to make quarter unit. The quarter unit should be 5×7" including seam allowances.

2) Referring to Diagram 2, add matching light large-scale print 2-1/2×7" rectangle to quarter unit. The unit now should be 7" square including seam allowances.

3) Referring to Diagram 3, sew matching dark large-scale print 2-1/2×7" and 2-1/2 ×9" rectangles to quarter unit. The quarter unit now should be 9" square including seam allowances.

4) Use a pencil to mark a diagonal line on wrong side of two white print 4-1/2" squares. (To prevent fabric from stretching as you draw lines, place 220-grit sandpaper under each square.)

5) Align a marked white print square with top right-hand corner of quarter unit (Diagram 4; note direction of drawn line). Sew on drawn line; trim excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance. Press open attached triangle. In same manner, add remaining marked white print square to bottom left-hand corner to make quarter unit. The quarter unit still should be 9" square including seam allowances.

6) Repeat steps 1–5 with remaining large-scale print squares and rectangles and white print squares to make four quarter units total.

7) Referring to Diagram 5, lay out quarter units in pairs, rotating units as shown. Sew together units in pairs. Join pairs to make a block. The block should be 17-1/2" square including seam allowances.

8) Sew solid blue 1×17-1/2" border strips to opposite edges of block (Pillow Top Assembly Diagram). Sew solid blue 1×18-1/2" border strips to remaining edges to complete pillow top. Press all seams toward border. The pillow top should be 18-1/2" square including seam allowances.

1) Turn one long edge of each backing 11-3/4 ×18-1/2" rectangle under 1/4"; press. Turn under 1/4" again. Stitch in place to make hemmed pillow back pieces. Each hemmed pillow back piece should be 11-1/4 ×18-1/2" including seam allowances.

2) Referring to Pillow Back Assembly Diagram, overlap hemmed edges of pillow back pieces by 4" to make an 18-1/2" square. Stitch across overlaps to make pillow back.

3) Layer pillow top and pillow back with right sides together. Stitch 1/4" from outer edges to make pillow cover. Turn right side out through opening in pillow back; press.

4) Insert pillow form through opening to complete pillow.