Merry & Bright Pillows

 

Here are a couple of pillows I made to decorate our home with for Christmas this year.

 

If you follow me on Instagram, it's likely you've seen me working on them.  I post so much more there these days.  It's not that I don't enjoy posting here, but it's just so much faster and easier (and the pictures don't have to be as nice - thank you filters! haha).

 

I got the idea for these after seeing Tessa's tutorial for her Noel Patchwork Pillow.  Great inspiration over there on The Sewing Chick!  I didn't follow her tutorial, but I wanted to give her credit for the inspiration.  The patchwork border is mostly 2.5" squares, except the solid red bits on each side which are 2.5" x 3.5".  Every bit of fabric, fusible web (for the applique) and batting used for both of these pillows were scraps and not cut from stash.  Even the fabric I used to back the pillow tops for quilting was something I was just going to get rid of (an old scratchy print from Joann).  That makes me so happy!

 

I quilted them using my walking foot, every two inches at a 45 degree angle, both ways.  I really like this sort of quilting for smaller projects that I want done ASAP.  I timed myself on one of them and I had it basted, marked, quilted, and squared up in about 30 minutes.  Not bad at all!

 

These pillows are an interesting size - roughly 11" by 19".  I made them from some seen-better-days throw pillows we've had forever and were all floppy and flat.  I made the covers smaller so I could stuff the inserts in to make them as full as possible.

I may not have a fantastic Christmas quilt to show off this year (one day!), but for now, I'm super happy with our little Merry & Bright pillows.  Merry Christmas, y'all!

PS - Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a fat quarter of Tule from Stitcherie!  Comments on that post close tomorrow, so get your entry in now.