Hourglass Pillow

Designers: Cath Derksema and Kirsten Junor of Prints Charming

• 5/8 yard blue print
• 5/8 yard red print
• 5/8 yard green print
• 18"-square pillow form
• 2-1/4 yards 3/16"-wide cotton cording
• 2 -- 1-1/8"-diameter cover buttons
• Doll maker's needle

Finished pillow: 18" square

Quantities are for 44/45"-wide, 100% cotton fabrics.

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

Cut pieces in the following order:

From blue print, cut:

• 1--19-1/4" square, cutting it diagonally twice in an X for 4 triangles total

From red print, cut:

• 1--19-1/4" square, cutting it diagonally twice in an X for 4 triangles total (you will use 2)
• 1--14" square, cutting it into enough 2-1/4"-wide strips to total 86" in length

From green print, cut:

• 1--19-1/4" square, cutting it diagonally twice in an X for 4 triangles total (you will use 2)

1. Sew together one red triangle and one blue triangle along one short edge to make a large red triangle unit (Diagram 1). Press seam toward red triangle.

2. Join one green triangle and one blue triangle along one short edge to make a large green triangle unit (Diagram 2). Press seam toward green triangle.

3. Sew together red and green triangle units to make pillow top. The pillow front should be 18-1/2" square including seam allowances. 4. Repeat steps 2 through 3 to make pillow back.

1. Cut and piece red print 2-1/4"-wide bias strips to make an 86"-long strip.

2. Fold one strip end under 1-1/2". With wrong side inside, fold strip in half lengthwise. Insert cording next to folded edge with cording end 1" from strip's folded end. Using a zipper foot, baste through fabric layers right next to cording to make piping (Diagram 3). Seam allowance should be 1/4" wide.

3. Aligning raw edges, baste piping to all edges of pillow front, starting 1-1/2" from piping folded end. As you stitch each corner, clip seam allowance to within a few threads of stitching line (Diagram 4); gently ease piping in place. Cut end of cording to fit snugly inside folded opening, then stitch to beginning point to complete pillow top.

4. Join pillow back to pillow top, stitching around all edges and leaving an opening for turning. Turn right side out, insert pillow form, and stitch opening closed.

5. Following manufacturer's instructions, cover buttons with green print.

6. Thread doll maker's needle with sturdy thread. Stitch down through center of pillow top, leaving a knot on top of pillow. Center one button on pillow back and one on pillow top. Taking long stitches through the center of pillow, sew buttons firmly in place.