Pillows have three parts – the Pillow Top, the Ruffle and the Pillow Back. Each part of the pillow is individually constructed and when all the parts are put together, you will have a beautiful pillow, in a relatively short period of time!
Pillow Top Supplies
Ruffle Supplies
Pillow Back Supplies
Other Items needed
Quilt Block - Pieced or appliquéd quilt block that measures about 12 inches square. Your quilt block can be an “orphan” block or a block made specifically for your pillow. You can use any size quilt block for your pillow, but I recommend a block (or combination of blocks) that measures about 12 inches, finished size.
Pillow Backing fabric – You will need to have a backing fabric for your pillow top. Think of your pillow top as a mini quilt. Because the pillow backing fabric is usually not seen – until the pillow top is washed – you don’t need to use expensive quilting fabric. I like to use muslin for the pillow backing. Muslin is a great fabric, but it has one problem – it shrinks when washed! Most muslin has about 10 – 15% shrinkage! Because of this ALWAYS PREWASH MUSLIN!!! I recently measured 72 inches (2 yards) of muslin and washed it. After washing and drying this piece of muslin I re-measured the fabric and it was only 64 inches! The muslin shrunk 8 inches. If I didn’t pre-washed the muslin, then later on, when the pillow needs washing (and the do get dirty) your pillow could shrink significantly and possibly make your wonderful pillow un-usable!
When I make pillows I like to machine quilt the pillow top. If you don’t want to have a quilted pillow, I would recommend using muslin, or another fabric, as a backing fabric for an un-quilted block.
If you are quilting your pillow top, you need quilt batting of your choice for quilting your project. Your project can be quilted by hand or machine or it can be tied.
Design by RTBWizards.com