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

My Own Tutorial Makings : :

I have been so touched and overwhelmed by all the wonderful comments I have been getting here lately! Thank you all so, so much for that!! It's been a busy several days, sharing two tutorials, giveaways, my post from last week, and trying my best to respond to everyone. If you didn't receive a response via email, then it's likely you are a no-reply commenter. In that case, I try my best to respond within the comments. Thanks again!

For the Rock N' Romance Giveaway, I asked for you to share your favorite print in the collection. Today, I'm ready to share mine!

Femme Metale in Chrome! Of course, I couldn't think of a better way to show my love for this print than to make myself a special pair of Shoelaces!



If you've made your own fabric shoelaces this week, or if you plan to, pretty please join and share in my new Flickr Group! I can't wait to see and be able to share what you make here on my blog! I'm planning to do a monthly show & tell!

I recently used my last Fat Quarter Gang Tutorial for a pair of Quilted Pillow Shams, to make a set to donate for a local charity event that happened this past weekend. Wanting something gender neutral, I chose a few prints from Bari J's brand new collection, Splendor 1920.



Art Gallery has me changing my mind each time they release a new collection as to what to use for decorating our new bedroom! This Splendor Collection comes in two colorways -- one perfectly feminine and so me! The other, perfectly masculine and so Mr. Cracknell! How fun would it be to have a quilt for our bed with one half the colorway for "her side" and the other half the colorway for "his side"?! See....the ideas never stop coming!! I'm certain at this rate we'll end up with a very eclectic room!

I definitely plan to make several more sets of these pillow shams! Maybe they will be the items that brings "it all together?!



I did end up taking out the dark aqua/teal shade and replaced with with a Navy Pure Element. I'm loving that triangle-diamond print, Nouveau Geo in Blue. LOVE it!!



These quilted pillow shams whip-up so quickly. I'm thinking they might make some nice Christmas gifts this year!



They even coordinated well with my wrapping supplies!



I'm off to make more progress on my qayg quilt blocks and birthday crown orders! But first I have an R n' R Giveaway winner to announce!! I'll update that post with the lucky commenter. Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a new Sponsor Fabric Giveaway with The Intrepid Thread! And to all attending this year's Sewing Summit -- I wish you safe travels and the most wonderful time!!!  ♥,  Maureen 

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