Up and Down Pillow Pattern

Give your country chic décor a modern edge with this quilted throw pillow pattern. Designed to match the Up and Down Mini Quilt Pattern from our August 2021 issue, this throw pillow is made using beginner-friendly half square triangles in shades of blue and white. This charming quilted pillow would be a darling addition to your couch or bed and fits perfectly into the popular modern farmhouse aesthetic. Follow the handy diagram below to piece together a pretty accent pillow for your country cottage!

Finished Size:  Approximately 16″ x 24”

Seam Allowances: 1/4”

Materials:

• Fabrics
  • Beige cotton fabric – cut 6 – 5  1/8″ x 5  1/8” – A
  • White cotton fabric – cut 6 – 5  1/8″ x 5  1/8” – B
  • Light blue cotton fabric – cut 6 – 5  1/8″ x 5  1/8” – C
  • Dark blue cotton fabric – cut 6 – 5  1/8″ x 5  1/8” – D
  • Cotton fabric for back – cut 1 – 16  1/2″ x 24  1/2”
  • Muslin – cut 2 – 17  1/2″ x 25  1/2”
• Cotton batting – cut 2 – 17  1/2″ x 25  1/2”
• 12” – 14” zipper
• 16” x 24” pillow insert

Instructions:

ASSEMBLY:

This pillow front is made using half square triangles.

1. To begin the quilt, draw a diagonal line, corner to corner, on the wrong side of each piece A and C.
2. Pin 3 pieces C to 3 pieces B with right sides together. Stitch 1/4” from the drawn line on each side. Cut along the line.
   
3. Press each square open with the seam toward the darker fabric. The squares should measure about 4  3/4” at this point. Trim each to 4  1/2 x 4  1/2”.
   
4. Repeat the process by sewing 3 pieces C to 3 pieces D, 3 pieces A to 3 pieces D, and 3 pieces A to 3 pieces B.
5. Lay out all the squares to match the diagram.
   
6. Sew the squares together in horizontal rows. Alternate the direction the seams are pressed between each row so they’ll fit together well in the next steps.
7. Stitch the rows together, matching the seams.
8. Layer the muslin with wrong side up, the batting, and the quilt top with the right side up. Pin. Quilt in the design of your choice.
9. Repeat with the remaining muslin and batting, with the pillow back right side up. Pin and quilt.
10. Trim away the excess batting and muslin to match the pillow front. Trim the back to the same size.
11. Lay the pillow front on the back, with right sides together. Center the zipper next to the bottom edge. Make a mark on the edge of the fabric where the zipper begins and ends.
12. Pin the bottom edges of the pillow front and back together. Stitch 1/2” from the bottom edge, switching to a long basting stitch between the two marks. Backstitch before and after the longer stitches.
13. Transfer the marks to the inside of the seam with an indelible marker. Press the seam open.
14. Center the zipper face down over the seam between the marks. Pin well.
15. Switch to a zipper foot, then stitch around a scant 1/4” from the zipper, down both long sides and across the ends.
16. Carefully remove the basting stitches from the seam over the zipper. Unzip the zipper most of the way.
17. Fold the seam at the zipper so the pillow front and back are right sides together, with the edges even. Pin in place.
18. Stitch 1/2” from the remaining three unsewn sides.
19. Trim the corners. Turn the pillow right side out through the zipper.
20. Push the pillow insert in through the zipper and zip up.

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