Make This: Summer Cabin Quilted Pillow Tutorial
Say hello to the Summer Cabin Pillow! We made this quilted pillow for our turn on the OLFA + Aurifil Slice & Stitch Challenge. For the challenge, we were given a product from each company to try out.
From OLFA, we got their 6″ x 12″ and 16″ square rulers, which were a dream for squaring up. Pictured above are the 6″x12″ ruler and the new True Blue ergonomic rotary cutter. We use the 6″ x 12″ for all of our cuts under 12″. From Aurifil, we got 28 weight thread. Aren’t these colors lovely? We were thrilled with how well they matched the fabrics we were using.
To make the Summer Cabin Pillow, you will need four mini log cabin blocks. Each block needs the following pieces:
- Center: 2.5″ square
- Row 1: 2.5″ square + 2.5″ x 4.5″
- Row 2: 2.5″ x 4.5″ + 2.5″ x 6.5″
- Row 3: 2.5″ x 6.5″ + 2.5″ x 8.5″
- Row 4: 2.5″ x 8.5″ + 2.5″ x 10.5″
Visit our Log Cabin Quilt Block Tutorial for the detailed instructions on how to put the blocks together, but the basic premise is to sew the center squares together, then add the pieces that fit as you work your way out. It’s helpful to take a picture of your block layout beforehand for reference as you’re piecing.
Once your four log cabin blocks are complete, piece the pillow front by sewing the top two blocks together, sewing the bottom two blocks together, then sewing the top section to the bottom section. Once the pillow front is pieced, you are ready to quilt it.
Choose thread that either compliments or contrasts with your fabric, depending on the look you are after. If you want the thread to disappear, choose a lighter weight, like 50 weight, in a color that matches or is slightly lighter than your fabric. If you are going for the chunky, textured look we used, go for a thicker thread weight, like 12 or 28. We used 28 weight for this, but we have also used 12 weight in the past to great success. You can see an example of that on our Instagram page.
Layer your pillow front, batting, and backing fabric. We usually use something we don’t love for the backing, since you will never see it with the pillow back covering it. For small projects, we love the quick and easy basting spray method. Christa Quilts has a great tutorial on spray basting. We quilted our pillow with a walking foot in a straight line motif. For bigger thread weight, make sure to use a bigger needle (90/14) and regular thread in the bobbin.
We just love the colors! For this look, we did two lines in the same color 1/4″ apart. Each pair of lines is spaced 1/2″ from the next pair of lines.
Once the pillow is quilted, trim away the excess batting and backing. The 16″ square ruler is wonderful for this step!
For the pillow backs, we cut two pieces 20″ x 30″. Fold each piece in half to make them 20″ x 15″, then sew a topstitch along the fold. We like to have the backs with two layers for durability. If you want to use smaller pieces of fabric, you will need to cut two pieces 17″ x 20″, then turn under 1″ twice for the hem. (You can check out our Pumpkin Quilted Pillow Tutorial for more details on the pillow backs, and how to add a binding finish.)
To sew the pillow together without a binding, layer the pillow backs with right sides facing the pillow front, then pin into place. Sew all the way around the outside of the pillow, using a 1/4″ seam. Turn everything inside out, press the side seams, and stuff with a 20″ x 20″ pillow form.
All done!
We love making pillows, because they are a relatively quick way to try out something new. You can never have too many pillows! We hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial.
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED… Congrats, Brenda P.!
Now, before we’re done, one of you will get to try out OLFA’s 16″ ruler for yourself! You can win a 16″ square OLFA ruler. Just leave a comment below telling us for which project you would use the ruler. Giveaway ends Sunday, August 4th at midnight MST and is limited to the US and Canada. Good luck!
That ruler is such a great size! I love making large blocks, and that would be perfect for measuring and squaring up!
I would use the Olga 16” ruler to make the beautiful pillow you featured.
I would use it on the log cabin pillow!
Any 16″ mini would be great to use it for. This pillow would be awesome to use it for. Thank you,
Your pillow has me excited! I would use the ruler to make this pillow!
Wow, a 16 inch square ruler would be such a big help to squaring up my big block quilts. Thanks for tutorial on the pillow. I was inspired by your two line same color Quilting, and using several different colors. Thanks for giveaway.
I would make the log cabin pillow. Thank you for the inspiration.
Great pillow! I would definitely use the ruler to make my own pillow using this tutorial.
This is a super easy decision. I would use the 16″ on the log cabin pillow you are featuring. Thanks for a fun project.
Thanks for this tutorial! I want to make a pillow like this and use the 16″ square ruler to square it up!
I like making table squares and table runners. This ruler would be great to square up the large squares. Great giveaway!
The ruler would be awesome for the t-shirt quilt I’m working on as it has some BIG squares, but woould love to try the pillow and be able to square it up in one swoop! Thanks for the fun tutorial! I will be coming back as I always get mixed up in which way to go when doing a log cabin! Thanks again.
The colors in this pillow are among my favorite combinations. With that new ruler it would be so much easier to put together.
Love the pillow you made. The fabric is beautiful too. I would love to have a 16″ ruler to square up my blocks.
I would use the 16” ruler to square up bigger blocks and in squaring up t-shirt quilt blocks. I love your log cabin pillow! Thanks for the chance to win.
Love that log cabin pillow – very nice fabrics – a 16″ ruler would be handy for a lot of cuts!
I’m getting ready to make a few quilts for gifts and would love to use this in the process! ♥️
I would make the pillow it’s a great project.
Love your pillow and would love to try my hand at it with this fabulous ruler and threads. Thank you for sharing your creativity!
I would make the pillow top as a table topper.
I am working on a quilt right now that I could use this ruler for. I also would try making this pretty pillow. Thank you.
I would love a large ruler for squaring my quilts.
Love the pillow! It’s contemporary and fresh. I’d use the ruler first making that pillow. The large square is would be so useful, squaring large blocks of course; I’d also use it to square up my quilts fresh off the long arm machine, preparing for binding. Thanks for the inspiration.
Without a doubt, the 16″ square ruler would be perfect for the log cabin pillow.
I do love to make pillows, so the ruler would be very useful!
I would use the Olga 16″ ruler to square up my disappearing four-patch blocks of 30’s fabric. What a treat that would be!
Wow! A Olfa 16″ ruler would be great for squaring up corners on quilts, large quilt blocks, making a multitude of pillow patterns, or cutting fabric in large squares. Precision is the spice to accurate quilting and makes beautiful projects!
I love the Summer Cabin pillow. Pillows are perfect for trying out new techniques and quilting. The 16” ruler would be perfect for squaring up. Plus love to try the 28 wt. Aurifil thread for quilting. ❤️
I would use the ruler to square up the pillow pieces & make sure it is squared before sewing all the parts together. Such a great size, my previous larger ruler broke & I have never replaced it so this would be right on time. Love these projects, so modern & a clean fresh line of fabric & ideas.
I love your pillow. I would use the 16″ square for your pillow and then
use it for a quilt with 16″ squares. thank you.
However much I love the Log Cabin Pillow & it’s beautiful colors, I am being honest, I believe I would make the geometric quilt first, then the pillow 😬 only because I have a Son that wants a quilt and I believe this quilt shows math geometrics plus a few added in quilting motifs… which Math is what I’m aiming for. Then I would make the pillow for me, for my heirloom porch swing my Grand Dad Made for his wife so many years ago. Would be a perfect set! Thanks for the great tutorial & the chance to win with the drawing…
No offense in making the quilt first, just need the quilt first!!
What a lovely pillow! The 16″ OLFA ruler would be perfect for squaring up large blocks for pillows and would be a great addition to my collection of quilting tools. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would use to square up large blocks or quilts. Thank you.
Oh, I’d really love to make your Summer Cabin pillow and that ruler would be such a BIG help for it and many other quilting projects! ♥ Thank you so very much for the chance to win this awesome giveaway! ☺
I love large block quilts and 16” pillows – so the large ruler will be awesome for trimming them!
I’d use this ruler for EVERY project on my wish list!
Since I am a limited sewer the 16″ ruler would be a huge help in my quilting. Log cabin pattern is my favorite so I would (am) making it. Thanks for the give away and the tutorials.
i would like to try my hand at the pillow and the perfect ruler would be a big help!!!
Hello and thanks for this great tutorial! I can see myself making several Summer Cabin pillows and it would be wonderful to have that ruler for squaring up! Also, I’m making some dinner napkins soon and the ruler would be great for those too!
Wow! So gorgeous and you make it look so easy! I would love to win the ruler and would make this pillow for our camper that I just turned into a glamper! 😂😂😂
What a great pillow! Thank you for the tutorial. I would love to have a 16” square ruler to use for pillows like this and large scale blocks.
I have two square rulers but not this one. To square up a pillow bigger than the rulers I have, I need to use both together. This 16” ruler would be much handier and save me time to make more pillows.
I see pillows in my future and this ruler would rock in making them, including this lovely log cabin!
Congrats, Brenda! You’re the winner of the ruler giveaway!
I would use the ruler to make this pillow. I love the modern colors and quilting used in the pattern. Can’t wait to make my own!
Hi, my friend has just started redecorating her living room and she needs some pillows for her new couch and love seat. I would use the 16 inch ruler to make some Summer Cabin Pillows for her in greys, yellows and turquoise.
Your fabric choices for your pillow would fit right in. I didn’t see a mention of the fabric. Is it a current line?
Thank you for the give-away and tutorial !
Regards,
Janet
We used fabrics from a few different lines, from designers like Rifle Paper Co, One Canoe Two, and Cotton + Steel. Let us know if there’s a specific print and we could tell you what line. Most are current lines or not too old.
I would use the ruler to square up all my projects!
It looks like a ruler I would use for almost every project, but to start, I’d like to try the pillow you taught above.
Thank you