I have been wanting to make a bordered diamond pattern for quite some time. So, I figured I'd keep with the diamond theme from my last post (Desert Diamonds) and try it out now.
The Floralish collection is absolutely perfect for this. Not only do these fabrics make gorgeous throw pillows, but this pattern showcases the beauty of each fabric. And I just love how all these fabrics work together! I mean - cranes, fruit and flowers?? I love it all!
MATERIALS
To make the three pillows, you will need:- 1 Floralish Fat Quarter Bundle for pillow fronts (Waterish Melon is out of stock and no longer included in the fat quarter bundle - it's only used in the whole cloth pillow, so you won't need it for bordered diamonds pillows).
- 1/2 yard of Cherry Picking in Navy for pillow backing
- 1/2 yard of Blooms in Field Fresh for pillow backing
- 1/2 yard of Seed Of Roses in White for pillow backing
- 1 1/2 yards of Bella Solid in White
- 1 1/2 yards of fusible fleece
- 3 pillow forms 18" x 18"
- Aurifil 50wt cotton thread in White
- Aurifil 50wt cotton thread in Very Dark Navy
- A rotary cutter
- A rotary cutting ruler
- Cutting Mat
- Fabric scissors
- Fabric marking pen
- Pins or clips
PATTERN
The finished pillow size is 18" x 18”. I made three pillows with one fat quarter bundle and three half yard pieces.
All seam allowances are 1/4”.
CUT
From the fat quarter bundle:
Starting with the center square fabric (Cascading Blossoms), cut (1) 5” square. Make sure to cut this so that the direction of the fabric is vertical. Fussy cut to get a blossom in the center.
Framing fabric (Seed of Roses), cut (2) 2 1/2” strips. Sub-cut each strip into (1) 2 1/2” x 5” rectangle and (1) 2 1/2” x 9” rectangle.
Setting triangle fabric (Wandering Cranes), cut (2) 6 3/4” squares. Then, cut one square in half diagonally from top left to bottom right. Cut the other square in half diagonally from top right to bottom left. Fussy cut these so that the direction of the fabric is vertical, and you get the cranes you want.
Border fabric (Blooms), cut (4) 4” strips. Sub-cut 2 strips into (2) 4” x 12 1/4” and 2 strips into (2) 4” x 18 1/2”.
From the backing fabric (Cherry Picking), cut (1) 12” strip. Sub-cut into (2) 18” x 12” rectangles.
From the solid white fabric, cut (3) 18” strips. Sub-cut each strip into (1) 18” x 18” square and (2) 18” x 11” rectangles.
From the fusible fleece, cut (3) 18” strips. Sub-cut each strip into (1) 18” x 18” square and (2) 18” x 11” rectangles.
SEW
Starting with the center square, attach each piece in order, 1st - 8th. Press each seam towards outside of the piece just sewn on.
This is what the piece should look like so far:
Trim off the dog ears and square up the block if necessary. It should measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".
Now sew on the border. Start with attaching the left and right pieces, then attach the top and bottom. Press seams towards the border pieces as you go.
QUILT
Prepare pillow front for quilting.
Start by fusing the fleece to the wrong side of the pillow front. Then, pin or spray baste the solid white 18" square to the other side of the fleece. You will now have a "sandwich" of solid white on the bottom, fleece in the middle, and the pillow front on top.
Quilt pillow top as desired. I did an inner 1/4" top stitch on each piece.
BACKING
Fuse the 18" x 11" pieces of fleece onto the wrong side of backing pieces. Start by aligning bottom and sides. The fleece will be 1" shorter than the backing at the top.
Pin or spray baste 18" x 11" piece of solid white to the fusible fleece.
Now, fold the top edge of the backing down to meet the edge of the fusible fleece. Press in place.
Fold the top edge of the backing down again, this time it will come 1/2" over the edge of the fleece. Press. Top stitch in place, 1/4" from the edge.
Place pillow front right side up on the table. Align raw edges of one backing piece, right side down, with the top and sides of the pillow front. The finished edge of the backing will be in the center(ish) of the pillow front.
Now align the second backing piece, right side down, with the bottom and sides of the pillow front. Backing pieces should overlap in the center of the pillow front.
Clip in place. Stitch around entire pillow.
Turn pillow right side out through the envelope opening that the back makes. Smooth around edges with your hands, making sure front and back are lined up nicely.
And your beautiful pillow cover is done! Now just insert the pillow form and enjoy!
To make the blue and yellow pillow, repeat all steps using these fabrics:
- Center Square: Wandering Cranes in Sky
- Framing Fabric: Citrus in Limon
- Setting Triangles: Cascading Blossoms in Blue
- Border Fabric: Cherry Picking in Navy
- Backing Fabric: Seed of Roses in White
To make the whole cloth pillow, use the left over fat quarter of Waterish Melon in White for the front, and Blooms in Field Fresh for the backing. Skip piecing instructions and move right to quilting. I quilted mine with horizontal lines about 2" apart.
Enjoy your pretty new pillows!
Please don't judge me, but I did mess up a bit on the navy and yellow one. I wasn't paying close enough attention and I cut my setting triangles 1/4" too small. I didn't realize it until I sewed on the border. And even though every ounce of me wanted to rip it apart, I decided to leave it. One, because I didn't want to waste this beautiful fabric. But also, nothing is perfect. I left it as a reminder to myself to let the little things go, because ya know what? It's still a gorgeous pillow!
Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for following along with me!
