Love Pillow

It's the season of love, and what better way to show it by making the LOVE pillow from the Simply Color RED book. 

Kristin Shields (pictured) and Gin were on the task to help make this month's sample, and said it was a fun, fast project.

The finished size is 20" x 20" and calls for 4 fat quarters or leftovers from a jelly roll strips for a scrappy look. As well as 1 yard of background and backing, 22" x 22" batting ad at least a 20" square pillow insert. We used Kona cotton solids for our pinks and white and a Robert Kaufman linen for the background.

To make life a little easier, we recommend using the Stripology ruler from Creative Grids to cut one (or more) fabric at a time without having to remeasure. 

Cut out all the pieces for L, O, V and E and assemble the blocks following the instructions from the book. There are some pieces that require a diagonal sew line then cut away on the letters O and V. And be sure when assembling that your fabrics are always right sides together. 

Once the blocks have been pieced it is time to assemble the pillow top. you will sew the L block to the O block, and sew V to E. then sew together the L/O unit to the V/E unit. Sew a 2-1/2" x 20-1/2" strip of background to both the left and right sides of the LOVE block. Layer one piece of batting the wrong  side of the pillow front and pin or baste as necessary. 

Set your machine stitch to a larger sewing stitch, using a walking foot  or regular presser foot, quilt straight lines (or any design you like) on the pillow front. We used a with Aurifil 50wt. thread for the quilting. 

To finish the pillow, you will be making an envelope back slip cover. Make a double hem on one long side of both back panel rectangles. With your finished pillow top facing up, with right sides together, place the backing pieces on top.

Align with the long raw edge of one piece to the left of the pillow and the other panel's long raw edge with the right of the pillow. This will make the panel pieces overlap in the middle. Pin around the sides and sew a 1/4" seam allowance. Turn inside out and place the pillow form inside. 

Give this to a loved one or as a seasonal decoration for your home.

If you like this project and love the color red, check out the book, Simply Color Red for this and more as well as the other books in the series. 

Keep watching each month for new projects in more colors. 

Happy Quilting!