Strippy Quilted Monogram Throw Pillow

I love giving personalized, handmade gifts.  I created this pillow for my friend who is getting married.  I love using initials when giving wedding gifts – one letter now represents 2 people!  So romantic!!  I gave her this pillow at her bridal shower and she absolutely loved it!  Here is how you can make one!

Supplies;

6 or 7 pieces of fabric – as you can see from the measurements below, this is a great project to make with your scraps
batting
1/2 yard fabric for the back of the pillow
18″ pillow form
Heat N Bond Lite
SpraynBond Basting Spray

Instructions:

Cut your strips according to the diagram and lay them out.  Keep in mind where you want your initial.  I put it opposite the bird.

Next, sew (quarter inch seams) each strip together.  Press seams in one direction.  It should measure 19″x19″

Now, get out your spray basting and baste the pieced top to a piece of quilt batting.  Quilt as desired.  I quilted mine in 1″ lines.

Prepare the applique

Print out the letter in reverse and draw it on a piece of Heat N Bond Lite.  Follow Heat N Bond light instructions and iron it to the front of your pillow.

I used a straight stitch to go around the letter.  I choose to applique over the quilting because I didn’t want to start and stop the quilting lines through the “B” .  I would not do this in a real quilt.

I love using trims in my pillows.  Select the desired trim, then sew it to the front of your pillow.  You can use a basting stitch, but I feel that it gathers the pillow slightly and doesn’t lay flat.  I  used a 1/4″ seam regular seam.  I bought this entire bolt of turquoise trim in the LA fabric district for $2.50!!

Prepare the back of the pillow

I choose to do an envelope style back – it is the fastest!!

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 19″ x 13″

Sew a rolled hem on one side of the 19″ piece.  Do this to both pieces.

Here, you can see my seam.

Lay the back pieces with right sides facing you.  Lay them how you want to look on the back of the pillow.  The two hemmed pieces should overlap in the middle about 4″.  This is where the pillow form will insert.

Pin your top piece to the 2 back pieces right sides facing each other.  Sew along your “Trim” seam.

Remove the pins, cut off any access, and turn.  Insert pillow form and you are done!!

This is how the back looks:

I love it!  This would make a cute Mother’s Day gift or Birthday Gift too!  Maybe I need one for myself 🙂

Be sure to visit Amanda’s blog to see all the fun! She’s participating in a “Throw Pillow Throw Down” that you will not want to miss! Click here to see more pillow ideas and inspiration!