Make it Modern Pillows – March 2024 Tutorial

It’s Jamie again from Sew Brainy Designs! It’s year 3 of my Make it Modern Pillows series! I’m so excited and I have some fun designs in store for this year! In case you missed 2022 or 2023 pillow fun, you can click the link below. Last year we started a fun Facebook Group so we can all sew along together!

February’s block used alternating log cabin sections that looked like they were bouncing around. In case you missed it, click on the link below to check it out.

March’s block uses HST units to create diamonds for an argyle vibe.

These colors are perfect for spring!

All colors would work here, plus it’s a great scrap buster!

I love this simple pink and green palette.

I did a 1/2″ grid quilting with Aurifil 50wt. white thread for this fantastic texture!

This month’s pillow features Dainty Daisy by Beverly McCullough. The colors I used were Peony, Lipstick, Alpine, and Mint.

These are such pretty colors!

Now let’s make a pillow!

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MARCH 2024 Pillow Tutorial

Pattern Notes

• Please read through all instructions before beginning.
• Seam allowances are 1/4″ unless specified.
• Press all seams open (or in preferred direction) unless specified.
• HST = Half Square Triangle

Material Requirements

For the block (pillow top):

This pattern uses (1) BACKGROUND fabric [FABRIC A] and (4) ACCENT fabrics [FABRICS B-E]. Below are the requirements to make ONE 18″ block.

For the pillow body:

• (1) 22-24″ square piece of muslin or other fabric (for quilting the top)
• (1) 22-24″ square piece of batting (for quilting the top)
• (2) 13½” × 18½” pieces of backing fabric (for the pillow envelope)
• (1) 20″ pillow form (my favorite one to use is the FJÄDRAR from IKEA!). I always use a pillow form that is one size larger than my pillow case to make sure it’s extra full.

Cutting Directions

From BACKGROUND FABRIC A, cut:

(1) 5½” × WOF strip, subcut:

• (1) 5″ square [A2]
• (4) 2” × 16½” [A4]
• (2) 1½” × 18½” [A5]

(1) 5″ × WOF strip, subcut:

• (3) 5″ squares [A2]
• (6) 3″ squares [A1]
• (2) 2½” × 4½” [A3]

From each of the ACCENT FABRICS B and C:

• (1) 5″ square [B2/C2]
• (2) 3″ squares [B1/C1]

From each of the ACCENT FABRICS D and E:

• (1) 5″ square [D2/E2]
• (1) 3″ square [D1/E1]

Piecing Directions

1. Using your preferred marking tool, prepare all squares by marking a diagonal line on the wrong side from one corner to the opposite corner as shown below.

2. Pair (1) A2 and (1) B2 square RST to create LARGE Half Square Triangles (HSTs) using the two at a time method. Stitch a seam 1/4″ away from the center line on each side. Cut along the diagonal line to create (2) LARGE HSTs. Press the seam and trim to 4½″ square.

3. Repeat STEP 2 with the remaining A2, C2, D2, and E2 squares to get the LARGE HST pieces in the combinations shown below for a total of (8) LARGE HST units.

4. Pair (1) A2 and (1) B2 square RST to create SMALL HSTs using the two at a time method. Stitch a seam 1/4″ away from the center line on each side. Cut along the diagonal line to create (2) SMALL HSTs. Press the seam and trim to 2½″ square.

5. Repeat STEP 4 with the remaining A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1 squares to create the SMALL HST pieces in the combinations shown below for a total of (12) SMALL HST units.

6. Lay out (2) B2 LARGE HSTs as shown below and sew together to form a LARGE DIAMOND unit. Press the seam.

7. Repeat STEP 6 with the remaining C2, D2, and E2 HSTs to create the combinations shown below for a total of (4) LARGE DIAMOND units.

8. Lay out (2) B1 SMALL HSTs as shown below and sew together to form a SMALL DIAMOND. Press the seam.

9. Repeat STEP 8 with the remaining B1, C1, D1, and E1 SMALL HSTs to create the combinations shown below for a total of (6) SMALL DIAMOND units.

10. Lay out (1) A3 and (1) Fabric B, C, and D SMALL HSTs as shown below. Sew the (2) pieces in each row together. Press the seams.

11. Sew the (2) rows together and press the seam.

12. Lay out (1) A3 and (1) Fabric B, C, and E SMALL HSTs as shown below. Sew the (2) pieces in each row together. Press the seams.

13. Sew the (2) rows together and press the seam.

14. Lay out the (4) LARGE DIAMOND units plus the units from STEPS 12 and 13 as shown below. Sew the pieces as indicated to form (3) TALL STRIP units and press the seams.

15. Lay out the (3) LARGE STRIP units from the previous step and the (4) A4 vertical sashing strips as shown below. Sew all pieces together as indicated. Press the seams.

16. Sew (1) A5 HORIZONTAL SASHING on the top and bottom of the previous unit. Press the seams.

17. Your pillow top is now complete!

18. Layer the completed block on top of the 22-24″ batting and muslin squares and quilt the pillow top as desired. When you are done, trim the block to 18½”.

Note – if you add dense quilting, your top may shrink a bit in size. Just trim it to the largest square that you can. You can trim the width of envelope backing fabric a bit in the next step if needed in order to match your actual top size.

19. Create a finished edge on the long side of each of the (2) 13½″ × 18½” pieces of envelope backing by folding 1/2″ of fabric over the wrong side TWICE. Stitch a seam near the edge to secure it.

20. With the square top facing up, layer the envelope pieces RST on top of it as shown below and sew a 3/8″ seam around the edge of the pillow top.

21. Trim the edges of the corners a bit to reduce bulk. Turn the pillow case inside out and insert your pillow form. Your pillow is now done! Enjoy your fun modern make!

I can’t wait to see all the beautiful pillows everyone makes! They can be very addicting! Be sure to share them on social media! #makeitmodernpillows #iloverileyblake #sewbrainydesigns.

If you check out my blog, I have some more color mockups and some freebie coloring pages you can download. Plus a sneak peek of a companion quilt pattern for this block that’s coming soon!

I’ll see you in April with some rectangles! Don’t forget to join us in the Facebook Group!

Until later, happy quilting!

Jamie