Thursday, October 4, 2012

Matt and Kim Pillow

This is the Matt and Kim pillow! Probably the easiest pillow on the planet, but hey, it's cute, right?

Why Matt and Kim? They sing this fun song called "Block after Block" which I always think about when sewing. It's such a peppy song, it always makes me happy. So here's a happy pillow named after a happy song.




You will need:
--1 20" pillow form
--3/4 yard background fabric (that's the cream color in this one)
--22" by 22" square of muslin
--22" by 22" square of batting
--3/4 yard pillow back fabric
--32 2 1/2" squares of fabric (mini charm packs would work great!) You might also want to have two 2 1/2" x 1" scraps for the end of the middle row. They'll barely show.

Pretty.

Prettier.

Sew together two rows of eleven squares. Sew together one row of ten squares and add the small scraps to each end of that row. Use a 1/4" seam allowance, and press open.


After your rows are sewn together, arrange them like this, with the eleven-square rows on the top and bottom. 


Stagger the squares so that the seams of the middle row line up with the middle of the blocks above and below them.


Stitch the rows together. You should now have a pretty ribbon 6.5" wide and a little over 21" long.


Cut the background fabric into two pieces that are each 8" x 21." Sew one rectangle to the top of your rows with a 1/4" seam, and the other rectangle to the bottom row.


Trim your patchwork piece to 21" square. (Note: this will result in a 20.5" finished pillow cover, so there is a little bit of room in the pillow case. If you want it more snug, trim to 20.5", but I'm just nervous about stuff like that.)


Baste your patchwork with the batting and the muslin on the back. Quilt as desired.

Out of the pillow backing fabric, cut two rectangles, each 21" x 26". Fold them in half so that they measure 21" x 13". Sew 1/8" along the folded edge. 


Place your quilt sandwich face up on a flat surface. Take one rectangle of backing fabric and align the three unfinished edges with the edges of the quilt sandwich. (The folded, stitched edge should run parallel to the pretty squares section.) Repeat with the other rectangle on the other half of the pillow. (Note: if your backing fabric is directional, pay attention to that now.)


Pin the edges of the backing to the sandwich, and stitch 1/4" all the way around.


Turn the case inside out, sharpen the corners with a corner turner or a chopstick, and press the edges to make them crisp.


Ta-da! A happy, pretty pillow to make you happy.



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6 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I've asked for a charm pack of vintage modern for my birthday, looking forward to getting it :)

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  2. Super cute pillow Catherine! Thanks for the tutorial...and nice to learn more about you.
    Amanda

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  3. Hi Catherine! Stopping by from the blog hop, love your pillow and your sense of humor! Know exactly what you mean about travelling, and the exclamation points!! (I love them) Good Luck with Jeopardy

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  4. Being an English girl I'm loving your 'cushion' tutorial ;) Good to find out more about you on the Blog Hop :)

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