Make it Modern Pillows – January 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!

December’s block used Half Square triangles to make simple arrows. In case you missed it, click on the link below to check it out.

January’s block uses squares to make a fun folksy design.

I love the alternating colored blocks here!

You could use as many colors as you liked…or even try it with only two!

A warm palette just felt right for this pattern!

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

This month’s pillow features Blossom Fabric by Christopher Thompson. The colors I used (in order from left to right) were Honey, Raspberry, Peony, Wisteria, and Orange.

Blossom will always be one of my favorite basics! Plus are new colors coming out soon and I’m so excited!

Now let’s make a pillow!

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January 2023 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.

Material Requirements

For the block (pillow top):

This pattern uses (1) BACKGROUND fabric [FABRIC A] and (5) ACCENT fabrics [FABRICS B-F]. 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:

(4) 1¾” × WOF, subcut:

• (45) 1¾” squares [A1]

(5) 1⅝” × WOF, subcut:

• (8) 1⅝” × 6½” rectangles [A3]
• (8) 1⅝” × 4¼” rectangles [A2]

From each of the ACCENT FABRICS B, C, D, and E, cut:

• (8) 1¾” squares [B1, C1, D1, E1]
• (2) 1⅝” × 6½” rectangles [B3, C3, D3, E3]
• (2) 1⅝” × 4¼” rectangles [B2, C2, D2, E2]

From ACCENT FABRIC F, cut:

• (4) 1¾” squares [F1]
• (2) 1⅝” × 6½” rectangles [F3]
• (2) 1⅝” × 4¼” rectangles [F2]

Piecing Directions

1. Lay out (5) A1 and (4) F1 squares as shown below. Sew the (3) squares in each row together. Press the seams.

2. Sew the (3) rows together. Press the seams. Trim to 4¼” squares if needed.

3. Repeat STEP 1 for the combinations show below for a total of (9) blocks. These are the BLOCK CENTER units.

4. Lay out (1) COLOR B BLOCK CENTER unit, (2) B2, and (2) B3 as shown below. Sew (1) B2 on the left and right sides of the BLOCK CENTER unit. Press the seams.

5. Sew (1) B3 on the top and bottom. Press the seams. This is the BLOCK A unit. Trim to 6½” if needed.

6. Repeat STEP 5 to create the combinations shown below for a total of (4) BLOCK A units.

7. Lay out (1) COLOR B BLOCK CENTER unit, (2) A2, and (2) A3 as shown below. Sew (1) A2 on the left and right sides of the BLOCK CENTER. Press the seams.

8. Sew (1) A3 on the top and bottom. Press the seams. This is the BLOCK B unit. Trim to 6½” if needed.

9. Repeat STEP 8 to create the combinations shown below for a total of (4) BLOCK B units.

10. Lay out all (9) BLOCK A and BLOCK B units as shown below. Sew the THREE units in each row together. Press the seams.

11. Sew the THREE rows together and press the seams.

12. Your pillow top is now complete!

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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 February with strips and log cabins! Don’t forget to join us in the Facebook Group!

Until later, happy quilting!

Jamie