Squares of sweet blue and pink
fabrics garnish this throw pillow.

Throw Pillow

Patchwork dresses up any bedroom and accents your decorating scheme for a more vibrant, trendy look. And the cool blues in this grouping keep the look relaxing.

• 3/4 yards of blue floral fabric
• 3/4 yards of pink contrasting or floral fabrics for patches
• Fusible-adhesive paper
• No. 5 blue perle cotton
• Pink fabric piping or enough fabric for piping to go around pillow border

Featherstitch detailing offers a timeless touch to this picture-perfect pillow.

1. For a 20-inch pillow, first cut two 19-inch squares from 3/4 yard of blue floral fabric for pillow front and back. Cut nine 3-1/2-inch squares from pink and blue fabrics, and follow manufacturer's instructions to apply fusible-adhesive paper to wrong side of each square.
2. Center squares on pillow front with three rows across and three rows down and 1-1/2 inches between squares. Fuse squares to pillow front. Using No. 5 blue perle cotton, featherstitch around edges of each patch. With raw edges aligned, sew 2-1/2 yards of pink piping around outside edge of pillow front.
3. For a 1-inch ruffle, cut a 3-1/2 x 144-inch strip of blue floral fabric, piecing as necessary. Turn over 1/4 inch on each short end; sew. With wrong sides together, fold strip in half lengthwise and press. Machine-baste through both layers 1/4 inch from raw edge.
4. Sew another basting line through both layers about 1/2 inch from the raw edge. Pull threads, gathering to 76 inches. With raw edges aligned, sandwich ruffle between pillow front and back, evening out gathers and overlapping finished ends; pin. Using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew pillow front to back, leaving an opening for turning. Trim corners and turn. Insert pillow form. Sew opening closed.

Mix up the patterns when selecting fabrics and wallpapers for your patchwork projects. Select stripes, florals, checks, and solids in similar colorways, making sure to vary the scale of the patterns.

Unless otherwise noted for sewing projects, use 54-inch-wide fabric, use 1/4-inch seam allowances, and sew with right sides together. For piping, cut bias strips, piecing as necessary for length. Cover cording with the bias strips, sewing with a zipper foot. Quilter's cutting supplies will simplify the process of cutting patchwork squares.

For a powerful focal point on your walls, hang squares of coordinating wallpaper remnants, forming a patchwork design.