These three throw pillows look very different don’t they? Look again. They are the exact same pillow pattern – just with different fabric combinations, and one with a ruched flower embellishment. Clever mixing and matching isn’t just for your clothes closet.
Our fabrics are from Paula Prass’ wonderful Woodland Delight collection from Michael Miller Fabrics. It’s such a great group of fabrics, you could come up with dozens and dozens … and dozens of beautiful combos.
The photo in our supplies list shows all the fabric we used for all three pillows, but the quantities and steps are for just one pillow. I chose the pillow with the ruched flower as our one sample for instructions.
You’ll find this project so simple, you’ll want to make a bunch and wrap them up for all your Valentines.
Sewing Tools You Need
- Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome Hello Kitty)
Fabric and Other Supplies
- Fabric for pillow front panels: ½ yard of 45″ wide fabric PER PILLOW: we used Paula Prass’ Woodland Delight in Brown Large Modern Flora (pillow A), Brown Pebble Stone Earth Mod Blooms (pillow B – our ‘sample’ pillow), and Fuchsia Woodcut Garden (pillow C)
- Fabric for pillow back panels: ½ yard of 45″ wide fabric PER PILLOW: we used an off white linen for all three pillows
- Scrap (3″ x 13″ cut per pillow) of fabric for pillow stripe inset: we used Paula Prass’ Woodland Delight in Orange Brick Path (pillow A), Brown Modern Flora (pillow B – our ‘sample’ pillow), and Brown Bloom (pillow C)
- Fabric for optional ruched flower: we recommend simply using the leftover fabric from the back pillow panel, which is what we did. You need about a 3-yard x 2″ strip to create the flower shown. If you’re new to this technique, read our tutorial: How To: Ruching Strips
- Medium bag of fiberfill stuffing
- All purpose thread
- See-through ruler
- Fabric pencil
- Iron and ironing board
- Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
- Hand sewing needle
- Straight pins
Getting Started
- Cut one 13″ x 13″ square from the fabric for the pillow back (off white linen in our sample).
- Cut one 12″ x 13″ rectangle from the fabric for the pillow front (Paula Prass’ Woodland Delight in Brown Pebble Stone in our sample).
- Cut one 3″ x 13″ rectangle from fabric for the pillow stripe inset (Paula Prass’ Woodland Delight in Brown Modern Flora in our sample).
- Use your see through ruler to cut the pillow front rectangle (the 12″ x 13″ piece) into two pieces: one 8″ x 13″ and one 4″ x 13″.
- Arrange the two pillow front pieces with the stripe inset between them. These three rectangles will make up the pillow front.
At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board
- With right sides together, pin one side of the stripe inset to one side of the 8″ x 13″ front piece.
- Stitch together, using a ½” seam allowance. Press seam flat.
- Pin remaining front piece (the 4″ x 13″ rectangle) to the other side of the stripe inset, right sides together.
- Stitch together, using a ½” seam allowance. Press seam flat.
- With right sides together, pin completed pillow front to pillow back 13″ x 13″ square.
- Using a ½” seam allowance, stitch around the square, leaving approximately 4″ at the bottom edge unstitched (for slipping hand into to tack optional ruched flower to front and for filling pillow with stuffing).
- Turn right side out.
- If you want a ruched flower embellishment as on our sample, make and add that now.
- Center the flower on the stripe inset approximately 2″ down from top edge and pin.
- Thread a hand sewing needle with thread to match your flower.
- Hand stitch in place, working through the 4″ opening so your stitching is hidden within the ruching and on the inside of the pillow.
- Once the flower is secure, stuff the pillow with fiberfill until it’s plump and firm.
- Slip stitch opening closed by hand. Make sure your hand sewing needle now has thread to match your pillow fabric so your stitches blend in as you sew the seam shut.
Hints and Tips
Ruching
You will need approximately three yards of white linen fabric strips to ruche (gather) for a flower like the one in our sample. Cut strips 2″ wide on the bias, joining lengths together as necessary to get your three yards of length. If you’re new to this technique, as we mentioned above, take a look at our tutorial: How To: Ruching Strips.
Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Dianne LeBlanc
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