Play It Cool Pillow

INSPIRED BY: New Addition from designer Kelli Marshall of Simply Mackbeth Design Co.

PROJECT TESTER: Sarah Huechteman

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

• 10"-square blue print (blocks)
• 1/4 yard each white geometric print and white stripe (blocks)
• 12"-square each aqua print and gray print (blocks)
• 15"-square lime print (blocks)
• 6×12" rectangle purple print (blocks)
• 3/8 yard backing fabric
• 20"-square pillow form

Finished size: 20" square

Finished block: 9" square

Cut pieces in the following order.

From blue print, cut:

• 1—-2-1⁄2 ×8" strip
• 3—-1-1⁄2 ×8" strips

From white geometric print, cut:

• 1—-1-1⁄2 ×12" strip
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×9-1⁄2" strips
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×8-1⁄2" strips
• 6—-1-1⁄2 ×8" strips
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×5-1⁄2" strips
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×4-1⁄2" strips

From aqua print, cut:

• 2—-3-1⁄2 ×8" strips
• 1—-2-1⁄2 ×8" strip
• 1—-1-1⁄2 ×8" strip

From lime print, cut:

• 2—-5-1⁄2 ×8" strips
• 1—-2-1⁄2 ×8" strip
• 1—-1-1⁄2 ×8" strip

From purple print, cut:

• 1—-1-1⁄2 ×12" strip
• 1—-2-1⁄2" square

From gray print, cut:

• 4—-2-1⁄2 ×7-1⁄2" rectangles

From white stripe, cut:

• 4—-3-1⁄2" squares
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×7-1⁄2" strips
• 4—-1-1⁄2 ×6-1⁄2" strips

From backing fabric, cut:

• 2—-12-3⁄4 ×20-1⁄2" 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 two blue print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strips and one white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set A. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide A segments.

2) Sew together remaining blue print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, and blue print 2-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set B. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide B segments (Diagram 2).

3) Sew together an aqua print 3-1⁄2 ×8" strip, a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, and aqua print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set C. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide C segments (Diagram 3).

4) Sew together remaining aqua print 3-1⁄2 ×8" strip, a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, and aqua print 2-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set D. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide D segments (Diagram 4).

5) Sew together a lime print 5-1⁄2 ×8" strip, a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, and lime print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set E. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide E segments (Diagram 5).

6) Sew together remaining lime print 5-1⁄2 ×8" strip, remaining white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×8" strip, and lime print 2-1⁄2 ×8" strip to make Strip Set F. Cut strip set into four 1-1⁄2"-wide F segments (Diagram 6).

7) Sew together white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×12" strip and purple print 1-1⁄2 ×12" strip to make Strip Set G. Cut strip set into four 2-1⁄2"-wide G segments (Diagram 7).

1) Referring to Diagram 8, sew together a gray print 2-1⁄2 ×7-1⁄2" rectangle and a G segment to make a sashing unit. The unit should be 2-1⁄2 ×9-1⁄2" including seam allowances. Repeat to make four sashing units total.

2) Referring to Diagram 9, sew an A segment to bottom edge of a white stripe 3-1⁄2" square. Referring to Diagram 10, add a B segment to right-hand edge.

3) Referring to Diagram 11, sew a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×4-1⁄2" rectangle to bottom edge of Step 2 unit and a white geometric print 1-1⁄2 ×5-1⁄2" rectangle to right-hand edge.

4) Referring to Diagram 12, continue adding white stripe strips, white geometric print strips, and segments C–F to bottom and right-hand edges of Step 3 unit to make a block. The block should be 9-1⁄2" square including seam allowances.

5) Repeat steps 2–4 to make four blocks total.

6) Referring to Pillow Top Assembly Diagram, lay out blocks, sashing units, and purple print 2-1⁄2" square in three rows. Sew together pieces in rows. Join rows to make pillow top. The pillow top should be 20-1⁄2" square including seam allowances.

1) Turn one long edge of each backing fabric 12-3⁄4×20-1⁄2" rectangle under 1⁄4"; press. Turn under 1⁄4" again; stitch in place to hem pillow back pieces. Each hemmed pillow back piece should be 12-1⁄4×20-1⁄2" including seam allowances.

2) Referring to Pillow Back Assembly Diagram, overlap hemmed edges of pillow back pieces by 4" to make a 20-1⁄2" 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 in pillow cover to complete the pillow.