Make This: Fall Pumpkin Quilted Pillow Tutorial

After we made our Fall Pumpkin Table Runner a few weeks ago, there were still some leftover squares and things lying about.  Instead of putting them up, or (heaven forbid!) throwing them out, we decided to do a bonus project with the pumpkin block.  Using one pumpkin block, you can make an 18″ square throw pillow!

Here’s what you’ll need:

-(20) 3″ squares in orange
-(1) 3″ square in cream for the stem
-(1) 3″ square in green for the leaf
-(3) 3″ squares in gray (or your background color)
-(4) 2.5″ squares in gray for the pumpkin corners
-(1) 2″ square + (1) 1.5″ square in gray for the leaf corners
-(2) 3″ x 13″ strips + (2) 3″ x 18″ strips in gray for the border
-1/2 yard gray for the pillow back
-(1) 20″ x 20″ piece of any cotton fabric for the back of the quilted front.  This will not show and does not have to match.
-(1) 20″ x 20″ piece of batting
-(2) 2.25″ x Width of Fabric strips for binding

This may sound like a lot of supplies, but it really goes quite fast.  Use our Pumpkin Table Runner Tutorial instructions to make the pumpkin block.  (Note that we changed one of the sizes of the gray corners on the leaf square from 2.5″ to 2″.)  Add the 3″ x 13″ borders, then the 3″ x 18″ borders.  Once the block is ready, layer the pumpkin, batting and quilt backing together and pin.Quilt the pumpkin block however you like.  We used the walking foot to do a diagonal grid pattern through the blocks.  We also still love the imperfect straight lines we did on the table runner.Trim off the excess batting and backing.For the pillow back, cut your 1/2 yard of gray in half, then fold each piece in half, making sure to fold along the longer edge, and iron the fold. Top stitch along the fold for a polished look.To make the fold over pillow back, place one folded back piece on the back side of the quilted front, with the raw edges along the outside of the block.Place the other folded back piece on the other side, also with the raw edges along the outside of the block, and pin in place.Baste the front and back pieces together with a 1/8″ seam.Now, add your binding.  We went scrappy for this one.  If you want to avoid any hand sewing, sew first to the back side of the pillow, then fold over to the front and sew it down with your machine.On smaller projects like this, we don’t mind doing it by hand, so we sew to the front first, then fold over and sew it to the back by hand.Once the binding is on, just stuff it with an 18″ x 18″ pillow form.Here’s a view of the back.

 This is just perfect for Fall!  This is also a great beginning quilting project for a confident sewist.  You might also be interested in our Easy Fat Quarter Pillow Cover Tutorial.  You could make a whole set of seasonal pillow covers to decorate your holiday home.