Christmasy Patchwork Pillow

There are many things that I try to make for Christmas every year.

A new apron.

Some new pot holders.

Gifts, of course!

And at least one pillow. You can check out some of my holiday pillows here.

I have this VERY FAVORITE lumbar pillow. It is always on my sofa. Because it is the perfect napping pillow.

And, I’m all about naps!

Well, I made that pillow back in 2015. It’s getting a little frumpy so I made it a new cover! For Christmas! “Merry Christmas” favorite pillow!

At this point, after being squashed down from sooo many naps, the pillow form is 11″ x 25″. The pillow cover should be a little tight so I’m planning for the front piece to be 11 1/2″ by 25 1/2″. I’m using 1/2″ seam allowances.

I cut a piece of batting a little bigger than needed. Because batting and fabric like to move around and shrink or get larger. It has a mind of its own. Just accept it. This piece is 12″ x 26″.

I marked the center. And marked from the top and from the bottom for a section to be 5 1/2″ high. Cause my strips will be that high. And 2 1/2″ wide.

Then I interviewed my fabric strips to see how I wanted them laid out. You might be able to see that I pressed the middle red piece in the center so it would match up with the center mark on the batting.

I started out by laying down the center piece.

It’s very important to keep the top of the strip at the top marking or the line will go wonky. I like wonky but for this pillow I want straight. After I lined it up correctly, I laid the next piece down directly on top of it–right sides together–and stitched on the right edge with a 1/4″ seam. Flipped it over and pressed. This is a type of “quilt as you go”. Rather than piecing the whole top of the pillow together then stitching it onto the batting, I find this method much quicker and easier.

I flip the batting over and continue onto the other end.

Then I put a red piece of the fabric on the top. And on the bottom. I have no idea what size I cut. It was early. I might have been experiencing sleep deprivation.

I did a little quilting just to hold the fabric down on the top and bottom pieces.

And then trimmed it down to the size I needed. 11 1/2″ x 25 1/2″.

Next up, I made an envelope style back. Quick and easy formula for the envelope back. You need two pieces that are 2/3’s of the front. Rounding up or down. This pillow is 11 1/2″ x 25 1/2″. I made two pieces 11 1/2″ x 15″. Pressed under 1/4″ and then another 1/4″. Stitched. Laid the first piece on the back. Right sides together. Stitched. Laid the second piece on the back. Stitched. Clipped the corners. Turned right sides out.