Making a Pillow from the Spring Ahead Block!
Taking a time out to share a pillow! We are having fun in the Spring Ahead Quilt Along Facebook group with our quilts and the quilts are turning out great! Details on the group below.
Since I cut so many strips for the Spring Ahead Quilt, that I would make a pillow! I had a 14” pillow form available, so I modified the Spring Ahead block, by eliminating the last row of strips all the way around, resulting in a 12-1/2” block. I then added 1-1/2” strips of black on all 4 sides to get a 14-1/2” pillow front.
As you can see, I decided to add decorative stitching – to achieve a crazy quilt feel on the pillow – I really like it! In choosing thread colors, I used the strips as a guide, then placed stitching where it would have contrast and impact. I love how it turned out – plus it didn’t add much time!
I used Aurifil 50 wt – if I had had the colors that I needed, I would have chosen 40 wt!
Now – let’s discuss making the pillow!
From pillow back fabric, cut (2) 16" x 8" rectangle backs (I am choosing to make the back oversized.
Set stitch length to 4.0 mm (baste). Stitch 2 pillow backs together. Change stitch length back to 2.0 mm. Press seam open.
Place 18" zipper along back seam, right side of zipper to wrong side of seam. Zipper should extend a few inches on each side. Glue to back of seam. Pin in a few places on the right side.
Stitch zipper from right side. Remove basting. Open zipper halfway.
Stitch Pillow front and back together, ensuring that zipper is open. Stitch through zipper on both sides of pillow. Trim excess zipper tape.
Trim excess fabric. Turn inside out and pop the pillow form inside! Enjoy!
There is still time to join the Spring Ahead Quilt Along group! Our group is open until May 28, 2020. All printable instructions/guides and videos are located in the group. After the group closes, the pattern will be made available for purchase.
Do you want to stay in the know about the quilt along each week via email? Click here to get on the Spring Ahead Email list!
Next week, join me for quilt finishing (just picked up my quilt yesterday - so pretty)!
Spring Ahead Quilt Along Schedule
I am going to share my process as I am making this quilt; I have outlined the dates below. I am using Michael Miller’s Hash Dots, That’s It Dot and Cotton Couture for my strips and I will be doing a planned layout. Check out the schedule below and I hope to see you in the Facebook Group!
Week 1 (3/24/20): Intro and Supplies
Week 2 (4/2/20): Cutting & Sewing the Block
Week 3 (4/7/20): Progress Check - where am I now?
Week 4 (4/14/20): Sashing and Borders
Week 5 (4/24/20): Applique Borders
Week 6 (5/5/20): Time out for a Pillow
Week 7 (5/12/20): Quilting and Finishing
Share Your Progress on Social Media!
Follow us on instagram @poorhousequilt and use the hashtag #springaheadqal to show your progress!
Join the Spring Ahead Facebook Group on Poorhouse Quilt Designs to share pics and ask questions! Until next week, keep on stitching and I hope you will consider joining us!
-Kris