A Quilted Pillow Sham { Tutorial } : :

Today I'm sharing my very first Fat Quarter Gang Project right here! A tutorial for a set of Quilted Pillow Shams, a project designed for Art Gallery Fabric's LillyBelle Fabric Collection by Bari J. It's a super quick & easy project, takes only 10 Fat Quarters to make and you'll have a set of new, fabulous shams! It's a great project for a beginner or if you want a smallish project to practice sewing those perfect straight quilting lines! Let's get started!!

What you'll need : :

• 10 - Fat Quarters of LillyBelle or any other fabrics of your choosing
• 2 - Standard Bed Pillows measuring 20" x 26"
• 2 - pieces of cotton batting measuring at least 21" x 30"
• 1 - yard of cotton muslin cut into two pieces measuring 22' x 36"
• Coordinating Thread, I prefer Aurifil
• Rotary Cutter/Mat/Ruler

Cutting and Piecing the Fabrics : :

1. Choose six different fat quarters from the 10 fabrics you've chosen for the pillow sham fronts, save the other four for the pillow sham backs 2. Cut each of the six fat quarters into two pieces measuring 5" x 20"  (I recommend using a rotary cutter and mat set for cutting)



3. With right sides facing, pin and sew six fabric strips together, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance 4. Press all seams open as you go



5. Continue to piece both pillow sham fronts and press well on both sides



Layering and Quilting the Pillow Top : :

6. Cut Muslin into two pieces measuring 22" x 36". Cut batting into two pieces measuring 21" x 30" 7. Lay muslin piece onto the work surface, center batting piece on top of that, and then center the pieced pillow top



8. Prepare for machine quilting. Pin layers together well, adding a few pins running down each of the six different fabrics that makeup your pillow sham top 9. Stitch on either side of the seams as shown in the photo below 10. Once quilted, remove pins



11. Using a large ruler or straight edge, trim away excess fabric, batting, and muslin. The pillow top should now measure 20" x 26"



12. Continue to baste, quilt, and trim both pillow sham fronts



Sewing the pillow together : : 

13. Prepare back pieces -- Using two of the remaining LillyBelle Fat Quarters for each pillow sham, cut fabrics to pieces measuring 18" x 20", fold over one of the sides measuring 20" a 1/2", press, fold over again, press. Sew along inner folded edge and along the outer edge, staying close to the fold. This will create the double seam finish. 14. Place pillow top piece RIGHT side up on your work surface. Place both backing pieces RIGHT side down on top of the pillow top piece.



15. Pin and sew along entire perimeter using a 1/2" seam allowance



16. Zigzag stitch around the entire perimeter, as well 17. Trim all four corners



18. Turn pillow right side out, making sure to poke out each corner. Press well. Repeat for second pillow



Insert your pillows and now you have your very own set of beautiful Quilted Pillow Shams!!

You can find LillyBelle still available with several of my sponsors --

*  Fat Quarter Shop  *  The Intrepid Thread  *  Moona Fabrics  *  Sprightly Fabrics  *  Stash Fabrics  *  

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I went and made a second pair to donate to a local auction, using Bari J.'s Splendor 1920 collection, as well. I'm a such a fan of hers and of Art Gallery Fabrics for everything, but especially bedding! The soft, luxurious hand that AGF's have, truly makes for some extra cozy pillows!





If you do give this tutorial a go at anytime, be sure to share on my Facebook page or in my Maureen Cracknell Handmade Flickr group. And, if you've already made some pillows using this tutorial from when I had shared this project on the Art Gallery Fabric's blog, feel free to add a link to where I can find them below. I love seeing them!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!   ♥,  Maureen