Tutorial: Cotswold Pillow

by using this variation on the log cabin technique you can make a vibrant and bright pillow! it's easy to alter the size just by making a few quick changes, and an envelope back makes it easy to wash and simple to stuff!

finished size: 16x16

what you need to make it...

6 fat eights for piecing
1/2 yard for backing
1 spool of cordinating thread

what you need to know...

a) i am a fan of pre-washing your fabrics, then you can just toss this puppy in the washer when your husband spills soda on it!

b) all seams are 1/4 inch!

what you need to do...

from your 1st fabric, cut a 3.5" square.
from your 2nd fabric cut 2 strips at 1.5" by 3.5"
from your 2nd fabric cut 2 strips at 1.5" by 5.5"

start by sewing 2 strips (1.5" by 3.5") to opposite ends of your 3.5" square. right sides facing...

very important note: when using this technique, it is very important to press your fabric with each step to insure clean seams and a polished look!

so go ahead and press those seams outward...

now add the remaining strips to the opposite sides to your newly pressed piece...

you can continue on in this fashion, going row by row, sewing to opposite sides first, then adding their counterpart... the rows are as follows:

from your 3rd fabric cut 2 strips each at 2.5" by 5.5" & 2.5" by 9.5"
from your 4th fabric cut 2 strips each at 1.5" by 9.5" & 1.5" by 11"
from your 5th fabric cut 2 strips each at 2.5" by 11" & 2.5" by 15"
from your 6th fabric cut 2 strips each at 1.5" by 15" & 1.5" by 16.5"

remember: always press with each new pair addition...

in the end you will end up with something like this!

now it's time to do the back! cut two rectangles at 11.5" by 16.5"...

along the long edge, the 16.5" side, double fold and press a clean edge by folding once at 1/4", press, then fold again at a 1/4"...

topstich this for a pretty, clean look...

lets finish this...

lay down your front piecing, right side up.
lay down your first back piece, right side down, raw edges meeting raw edges, so it only partially covers the front. lay down the second piece the same way at the opposite end...

see how i peel back the layers to show how it's done? now you can pin and completely sew around all four sides. when your done, trim your corners, turn it right side out, and push out the corners...

stuff it with a pillow insert or make your own, and tah-dah!

how fun!