Thursday, February 06, 2014

contact print pillow (a tutorial)

Today I am happy to be a part of Amy's Pillow Collective blog hop. (This is what triggered the idea for pillow week in the first place. That, and my deep love of pillows, of course!)
 
For my project, I'm going to share a tutorial on how to make a contact print pillow. This pillow is a nice way to spruce up your couch. (IF you have room, that is!)
I originally designed this pillow to use a mini charm pack, but you can easily cut squares from your scraps or stash. I dug out some of my precious scraps from the original Flea Market Fancy line along with some hoarded Katie Jump Rope fabric. My background fabric is Essex linen.

To make this pillow cover you will need:
One mini charm pack (or 35  2 1/2" squares)
1/3 yard background fabric
22" square of cotton batting
quilting thread
3/4 yard backing fabric

From the background fabric:
cut 2 strips 20 1/2" x 3 1/2"
cut 4 strips 20 1/2" x 1 1/2"
cut 30 strips 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"
Select (or cut) 35 2 1/2" squares. Layout the squares in a pleasing arrangement...7 across and 5 down.
Place the 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" background pieces between the squares to create horizontal rows.
Sew the pieces together to make rows.  Each row should start and end with a square of fabric.
Layout the pieced rows with the remaining background pieces as shown. The 3 1/2" x 20 1/2" pieces go at the top and the bottom.
Sew the rows together. Press well. The piece should measure 20 1/2" square. You can hang it up, take a pretty photo and leave it there as wall art for several weeks. (That's what I did. It works!)
But, if you actually want to finish it......place the patchwork on a 22" square of thin cotton batting (such a warm and natural). Baste with a few curved safety pins. Backing fabric is optional...I rarely use it.
Quilt as desired. I quilted this piece with my walking foot using horizontal lines 1/2" apart.
 
Trim the quilted piece to 20 1/2". Finish with an envelope backing. (Tutorial here.)
For the back I finally managed to cut into this pretty vintage-looking print from Denyse Schmidt's first line for JoAnn's....from 2011. (Sheesh!) Turns out it looks better sewn up rather than folded up and tucked into a drawer. Who knew? :P
 
Insert a 20" pillow form. You can either purchase one or make your own.  
Stand back and admire your work!
For those of you following my progress, this is scrap project #50/101. I'm pretty excited about that!
I made this pillow last December using the same pattern. I used white kona cotton and a mini charm pack of Potluck by American Jane for Moda. I really love this one, too! You can see/read more about it in this post, if you'd like.
 
If you make contact print pillow, I'd love to see it!

39 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you for the wonderful tutorial! This would be a great way to use up some of my scraps.

Heather said...

This could not have been more timely! I scored a mini charm pack of Dowry from my LQS and just wasn't doing the math to figure out how to sash them for a pillow ;) Thank you so much-- it looks awesome!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

That's such a cute pillow and a great idea for those mini charm packs!!

Little Quiltsong said...

I've been enjoying all the wonderful pillow projects you've done lately. This has been a favorite of mine. Thanks for the tutorial.

MalinisQuilts said...

Lovely pillow!

Daytona Damsel said...

I love this idea for scrap busting. And I want that fabric you used for the back. To bad it is from 2011.

Snowcatcher said...

I made a mini quilt like this last year with leftovers, and your pillow has made me fall in love with the design all over again! I think this is one of my favorite pillows you've shared.

Unknown said...

I'm never sure what to do with the mini-charms - this is perfect! Thanks for sharing Amanda Jean!

Lori said...

this is a great pillow, especially for scraps. thanks for the tutorial

Sallie B. said...

I love all your pillows! Thank you for the backing tutorial. I would have figured it out eventually, but it's more fun to be shown how to do it.

I really enjoy your blog, and wish I could accomplish as much as you do.

Congratulations on #50!

Vera said...

Neat. I was wondering if you use the backing fabric or not so thanks for including that info as well :-)

Kay said...

Mini charm packs are one of my favourite buys and this is a great way to sow them off. Thanks for the tutorial.x

Tennjenny said...

(1) That's completely adorable.
(2) I am using a mini charm pack for a hand sewing workshop in March, and this will JUST come in handy for that!
(3) That's my very favorite DSQ print of all time.

That is all.

Liv Aagot's Quilt Blog said...

Thanks a lot for the tutorial for this lovely pillow!

Cristina @ Pretty Little Quilts said...

I really love this...and I really need to make some pillows!! So cute.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I just love this pillow pattern. I haven't used white Essex linen--great idea. And GREAT idea for those precious little scraps of FMF!

Unknown said...

A whole set of great pillow tutorials. Thanks a million.

Carolyn in NC

Anonymous said...

Cute pillow, curious about the name 'contact' half expected something to do with a glue pen!

This would look cute too with the fabric pieces just sewn on a la your ticker tape quilts.

Cheers from hot, humid, sunny Western Australia

Diane said...

great pillow, woot-woot for finish #50-crazy mom!!! :)

I just got some Essex linen-on sale-is it easy to work with?

Jeneta said...

Can't wait to add a pillow like this to my collection. I mean, to my home. Great tutorial. My favourite part?
For the back I finally managed to cut into this pretty vintage-looking print from Denyse Schmidt's first line for JoAnn's....from 2011. (Sheesh!) Turns out it looks better sewn up rather than folded up and tucked into a drawer. Who knew? :P
Thanks for always making me laugh!

V and Co. said...

hey amanda i just wanted to pop in and say you are amazing :) that is all. talk to you soon

janequiltsslowly said...

Sweet! I am always inspired when I hop over to your blog. Scrap Users Unite!

Ruth said...

ooh I love this and I have a lots of little pieces to use - thanks for the tutorial!

Linda said...

Cute, as always! Your just about halfway to your 101 goal! That's an accomplishment, my friend! Hmm... you have me thinking.... ticker tape scraps... pillow... Hmmm.....

scrappy101 said...

So Happy I followed Jo's link. I needed to make a pillow for a retreat and since I love scrappy, this is perfect. Thank you for sharing.

Lorna McMahon said...

Both your contact pillows are sew pretty! I am really enjoying your pillow tutorials. Thanks for sharing!

Heather Pregger said...

Your color palette is always so bright and fresh. It makes me happy! Thanks for the tutorial.

Wendi said...

I love this!!!

Linda from Talkinglunchboxquilts.com said...

You are truly inspiring me to make a pillow! I love what you are doing!!

Robin Woods said...

I love this so much I'm going to make a lap quilt! Taking a layer cake and turning it into a million little charm squares. Thanks for the inspiration!

Di said...

Thank you for such a good tutorial. I have bookmarked it for future - I love making cushions and this pattern is a keeper. Di x

Vicki said...

Thank you Amandajean, for the great tut! I was wondering what to do with the mini charm that I have. Now I know!!

Diane Warburton said...

I've arrived courtesy of sewmamasew's F/B post. This is a cute little cushion cover, which I really should try instead of always challenging myself with hexes and triangles. The colour effect works brilliantly and nice and easy. Note to self! :-)

Sheri said...

I am very attracted to your pillow!

Kimberley said...

I absolutely fell in love with this pillow and made one of my own this weekend. Everyone wants to sit with it in my house. I chose fabric reminders -- you know, those from precious gifts I've sewn for family and friends that had great scrappy leftovers. It's so bright and pretty and each square reminds me of someone special in my life. The tutorial was great! Thanks so much! Kimberley @LaughSewCreate

alejandra said...

Thanks for this great turorial, love the colors, makes this pillow so cheerful!

This Way and That said...

This is so beautiful. The simplicity and balance is calming and electric all at the same time.

Unknown said...

I love the simplicity of this cushion. The white really makes the colours pop!

Joy said...

Thank you for such clear, step by step directions with great photos. It really helps me a lot!