Bold Bow - new pillow cover block quilt pattern

 Hello, everyone!

I'm so glad to launch a new quilt block pattern I just finished to write!

I named it Bold Bow. It's obvious why, I think. 

So, a few words about it.

Bold Bow - One Block Pillow Cover Quilt Pattern  is a flexible and practical quilt pattern for intermediate quilters.

Finished Size:

• Unfinished block before quilting: 17"
• Finished pillow cover: 16"

Overview of the Pattern

This quilt pattern offers an elegant and simple approach to creating a one-block pillow cover with mitred corners. While at first glance, it may appear similar to other patterns with a central square, this design introduces a unique and efficient method of piecing the central square without fragmenting special prints or pieced blocks. The result? A seamless, polished look with minimal effort.

The Bold Bow pattern provides a step-by-step guide, ensuring a smooth sewing experience with clear instructions (and more than 40 images) and valuable tips. Even quilters who have struggled with achieving perfect piecing before will find success with this design.

The main steps of the pattern are:

1. Preparing the materials
2. Preparing the block units
3. Assembling the block
4. Finishing the pillow cover front
5. Preparing the pillow cover back
6. Assembling the pillow cover
7. Finishing the pillow cover
8. Layout variation ideas (plus suggestion for making a quilt from 16 smaller blocks - quilt math included).

Why Choose This Pattern?

• Innovative Piecing Method: Unlike traditional designs that use QSTs or appliqué, this pattern offers a fresh approach that preserves the design continuity of feature prints or pieced blocks used in the central square.
• Intermediate-Friendly: Ideal for those with experience handling bias-cut pieces.
• Quick & Efficient: The block can be completed in under two hours, making it an excellent choice for quilters looking for a rewarding project without extensive time commitment.
• Fabric Versatility: Works well with a variety of fabrics, including:
• Quilting cotton
• Thin denim
• Cotton duck
• Lightweight home decor fabric
• Canvas

·   Fat quarter friendly

• Great for Solid and Print Fabrics: Whether you prefer vibrant prints or classic solids, this pattern enhances the beauty of any fabric combination.

Fabric Requirements

• Fabric 1: 12 ½" x 12 ½"
• Fabric 2: 12 ½" x 12 ½"
• Fabric 3 (stripe units fabrics): a piece of about 5" x 42" or 10" x 21"
• Fabric 4 (stripe units fabrics): a piece of about 5" x 42" or 10" x 21"

Perfect for Quilters Who Want:

 A simple yet stylish one-block design.
 A reliable step-by-step guide with clear instructions.
 A time-efficient project with striking results.
 A chance to highlight special prints or intricate pieced blocks.

With Bold Bow, your pillow cover will come together effortlessly, allowing you to enjoy the creative process without unnecessary complexity. Whether you're making a single pillow, a set with layout variations, or a bed quilt, this pattern is designed to be both enjoyable and practical for quilters of all styles.

The Bold Bow quilt pattern is available now. Don’t wait – start your pillow cover quilt today!

Thank you for joining me in celebrating the launch of this special pattern!

Buy Bold Bow pillow cover block quilt pattern. Just 

It takes you to my Etsy Shop.

Have only beautiful sewing days, my dears!

Tutorial -- Love Thoughts - Valentine's Quilt Pillow cover (revised pattern)

10 years ago, at this time, I posted on the blog a pattern dedicated to Valentine's Day. 

I revised it and I share the new version of it with you today.

Overview

To sew this block, we use the Sew & Flip method.

Materials

Fabric Options

Quilting cotton, thin denim.

- Solid colors and non-directional prints work best.

- Wash and press the fabric. Starching cotton quilting fabric and thin fabrics helps achieve accurate edge of the pillow cover.

Cutting

- fabric A (accent fabric) - (1) 6" x 9½" and (1) 6” x 15”

        - fabric B (background) - (6) 6"; (1) 9½" squares

                                               -  (2) 1½” x 15”; (2) 1½” x 17” (border). 

Assemble the block

Place the 6” x 15” piece of the accent fabric right side up. Align over its right edge one 6” square of the background fabric wrong side up. Draw a diagonal line onto the background 6” square from the up left corner to the down right corner (see the dashed line). Stitch on the diagonal marking.  Follow the marked line as accurately as you can, in order to get a neat finished piece. Trim the corner off 1/4” away from the stitched line.

Flip the triangle open and press seam allowance toward A fabric rectangle. Align over the triangle of B fabric, another 6” square wrong side up. Mark a diagonal line from the down left corner to the up right corner. 

Stitch on the diagonal marking. Trim the corner off ¼” away from the marked line. Flip the triangle open and press the seam allowance toward the corner triangle. 

Repeat for the second unit.

Sew together the 6” x 9½” unit and 9½” B fabric square with ¼” seam allowance. Place them like in the next images. Press the seam allowances toward the B fabric square.  

Sew together this unit with the first unit with ¼” seam allowance. Press the seams toward the latter. Press. The block should measure about 14¾” - 15”, depending on the accuracy of how you sewed. Add the border pieces. Now, the unfinished block should measure 17".  

Quilting

One of the most beautiful ways to finish a patchwork project is by quilting it. 

Layer:

- at the bottom - 19" x 19" backing fabric, right side down

- in the middle - the 19" x 19" piece of batting

- on top - the block, right side up.

Baste the layers together and enjoy quilting your preferred design. I used a temporary glue spray for basting.

Finishing

Wash the quilt with cold or lukewarm water and mild detergent. 

Lay the quilt flat to dry, smoothing it gently. After drying, press it on the back side, only if needed.

While it dries, prepare the pillow back.

Trim the quilt to 16½”. 

Sew the quilt (which is the front of the pillow)  with the back together.

You're done!

Your Valentine pillow cover is complete. 

As Valentine's Day is a holiday when lovers express their affection with greetings and gifts, don’t stop. Sew this pattern in pairs of pillows.

I hope you'll enjoy making these cuties as much as I do.

If you need other patterns for quick and easy modern quilts or bags, 

It takes you to my Etsy Shop.

All orders made during February 2025 will receive as bonus the quilt pattern Love Thoughts in PDF format.

Have a beautiful sewing day, my friends!

Thank you for your support!

Single Piece Rectangular Pillow Cover - Tutorial

Making assorted pillow covers for our bedding is one of the least costly ways to freshen up the bedroom.

In this tutorial, I will show you an easy method to make an envelope cover for a rectangular pillow in just minutes. Really.

You need only one piece of fabric and a bit of sewing thread. 

Take a look below!

Pillow insert size - 18" x 23" (46 cm x 58.5 cm)

Pillow cover size - 18" x 23" (46 cm x 58.5 cm)

My personal choice - For the decorative pillows I prefer to make the cover 1" smaller than the insert, but for the bedding, I make the cover the same size with the insert.

MATERIALS needed

• Fabric - 18 ½ " x 56" (47 cm x 142.5 cm)

As a rule of thumb: 

For a rectangular pillow cut one piece of fabric that is the height of the pillow insert + ½ " (1.5 cm) and 2 x length of the pillow insert + 10" (25 cm).

• Matching thread
• Scissors or fabric cutter
• Pen/pencil for marking (optional)
• Ruler 
• Pins    

If desired wash and iron your fabric before starting to cut.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1

Lay the fabric wrong side up. 

Fold one of the short edges under ½ " (1,5 cm)  and press. 

Fold it under again, press and pin in place. 

Sew the hem down about a 1/8" (0.3-0.4 cm) from the inside edge. 

Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitches.

Repeat with the other short edge.

Step 2

Lay the fabric flat right side up horizontally.

Fold the fabric wrong side up by placing the right short edge at 8" from the left edge. See the photo below.

Fold the left edge overlapping the right edge by 8". Keep the long edges aligned. See the photo below.

Pin in place and sew along the two long sides with 1/4 "seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitches. 

Secure the edges with a zig-zag stitch. 

Step 3

Turn the pillow cover right side out and push the corners out. Press. 

          

Fill the cover with the pillow.

Sew further the next ones!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

I am linking to Finish it up Friday!

I Love My Doll applique pillow cover quilt pattern is ready!

I just launched the pattern of a cute little quilt:

I love my doll!

Its dimensions -  16" x 16 " -  are ideal for a pillow case or a wall hanging for a lovely little girl.  

The pattern includes instructions for a pillow case.

The main technique is the raw edge applique - simple and fast. One border added to the doll block and the quilt top is ready. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the doll name is Emma.

I told you something about her and her sister a while ago when I introduced them to you.

The pattern provides:

- instructions for preparing the applique pieces
- instructions for piecing the quilt top
- instructions for preparing one color and two color prairie points
- suggestions for securing the applique edges and quilting
- instructions for finishing the quilt 
- instructions for assembling the pillow cover
- layout suggestions
- ready to print templates

There are 40 illustrations and diagrams gathered in 16 pages.
The measurements are in inches.

You need:
Fabrics 
- one fat quarter or 18" x 18" piece of fabric for border; 
- one fat quarter or 18" x 18" piece of fabric for backing
- one fat quarter or 16" x 22" piece of fabric for the pillow back
- a few pieces of fabric for the appliqued doll 
- 2 ½ " x 80" for binding
Batting 
- 18 " x 18" 
Fusible web - about 8 " x 18" or temporary adhesive spray or fabric glue that maintains its qualities after pressing.
Water soluble pen, red and black permanent markers
Scissors, coordinated thread
Open – toe foot for securing the applique edges

In addition to this pattern, I'm working on the templates of a few friends of Emma. Girls and boys. You will have the possibility to add one by one a collection of applique dolls for your kid's room or to choose the ones they like most.

Emma's friends will be available as templates only. You will use the instructions of Emma pattern, launched today, I love my doll!

Emma's friends individual templates will be listed in my Etsy pattern shop, as I will finish them.

I love my doll pattern is here.

I hope you will enjoy it!

Have a beautiful day, my dears!

Linking to Finish it up Friday!

A sneak peek into my work room

I'm sure that I'm not the only one feeling energized by the fresh signs of Spring.
Every day the tree branches become greener and the sun enriches the color palette of the gardens encouraging more and more flowers to bloom.
In the morning I open the window and I can't wait to feel the cool air coming into the room. This gives me an unexpected strength and inspiration to work quick and happy and to sew more and more of the projects from my long to-do list.

So, I just finished another pillow cover quilt for a new pattern.
I made the design last year and let it wait until now.
It might seem a complicated layout but in fact, it is not. In the pattern, I do my best to explain all the leading steps to complete the quilt without fails.

Until it will be finished, If you need some inspiration for your future sewing projects, maybe you will find something here.

So that is all for today.
Back to work, now.

Have a beautiful weekend, my dears!


I am linking to Finish it up Friday!

Something new to sew - Quilted Pillow Cover pattern release

Do you like applique?
I do. I always did.
It was just a matter of time to design my own pattern.
And here it is:

It's so easy to make, so quick to complete!

And sooo beeeautiful, isn't it?

The pieces are simple and symmetrical. Easy to cut, easy to fuse, easy to stitch down.

I know, it sounds like a shameless self-promotion, but actually, these are the grounds that had driven to writing the pattern.

You need only a few hours of work (looking more like a child's play), two fat quarters and a few fabric scraps and strips.

You might use this design also for a cute table topper or even for a lovely quilt.
One Happy Flowers pillow, table topper or wall quilt and you will feel like Spring and Summer are forever in your home.

I thought the pattern as a simple and friendly guide, providing
- a lot of pictures
- instructions for fusing, stitching, piecing, washing and for assembling the pillow cover
- all the necessary templates
- suggestions for layout variation

And to smooth its way into the world,

During 2 - 4 April 2017

 I will offer my 

Happy Flower Quilted Pillow Cover 

at a reduced price!

You are welcome in my shop!

Have a beautiful week, my dears!