Modern Quilted Pillow Pattern

When I was young my mother read to all eight of us kids many, many stories. Some of which included those classic historical fiction books like Little Women and the Little House on the Prairie series. In these books life was hard, but the simple joys (or my idea of joy), like sitting around with the other women hand sewing were plenty. My paternal grandmother is a quilter and taught her daughter-in-law, my mother. Not one to helicopter parent, my mom put a needle and thread in our hands as early as we showed interest. Natural consequence quickly taught me how to carefully hold a sharp needle. Growing up deep in the country and with not a lot of money there wasn’t much to do besides play outside, draw our own paper dolls, or do something crafty. I have many fond memories sewing as a child.  I learned to sewing on a treadle sewing machine (it runs not on electricity, but by pumping the treadle with your feet). In the summer it might be cross-stitching while watching the dusk fall and listening to nothing but the crickets and frogs. One winter when my grandma was visiting, after dinner we would clear off the dining room table and three generations of women would sit around handquilting together.

Quilting is a craft so rich with history, so utilitarian, and allows us to express ourselves in design and color. Every time I gather stiches on my needle through cozy layers of cloth and batting so many wonderful things happen. I feel intrinsically linked to centuries of women before me. I am flooded with memories of my grandma and mom. I relax. I can quiet myself and think, pray and meditate.  Or, more commonly, I can just zone out and watch something distracting and entertaining on Netflix.

I am so excited to share my first pattern with you!! This pattern was inspired by the Triple Irish Chain quilt block. After tweaking many sketches this is were I landed. While it is quite different I am very happy with this version. I’ve combined quilting and painting and I think they make a beautiful marriage. Here painted triangles become part of the quilted pattern to make a modern, unique and beautiful pillow for your home decor.

 

My pattern is now available on Etsy here.

Blue And White Vintage Modern Star Quilted Pillow

Here is another version of the Vintage Modern Quilted Pillow from my last post. Again I chose a very simple palette for the fabric colors. I feel like this blue is practically a neutral. When I picture where it would live in my own home, it really would work in any room.

I chose a monochromatic scheme with a darker, indigo blue for the paint. I painted a very simple pattern of lines and geometric triangles.

I hand quilted it all in a blue as well. That is always my favorite step.

The pillow back has simple painted stripes across the back and is finished with an invisible zipper. This pillow is now available in my etsy shop!

Modern Gray Gold Star Quilted Pillow

This is the second quilt//pattern design I have made. The quilt design is a traditional beautiful “vintage star” block pattern in gray and cream fabric. I then hand painted a simple yet modern design with with a gold fabric paint over that. In this pillow I also wanted to juxtapose the technicality of the sewn pattern with the painterly and impressionistic painted lines. I hand quilted a simple pattern in cream thread that echoes the painted design. The back is gray and cream with two gold painterly stripes. 

This is available in my shop and I am working on a downloadable pattern as well.

Gold Hand-Painted Triangle Chain Quilted Pillow

I have wanted to design quilt patterns for so long and I decided pillows are the most efficient and fastest way to try as many as possible. This black and gold triangle pillow was inspired by the traditional Irish chain block. I love that pattern so much. This is different for sure, but I love where I ended up with it.

I have been wanting to paint on fabric for a long time. There are so many different directions to take with it. For this first time I decided to actually piece the black and white fabric and then paint the triangles directly on the quilt top, as if they are part of the pattern. I then hand quilted the top. I intentionally chose to paint the triangles rough and “perfectly imperfect” so it is obvious they are hand painted. I wanted the paint to look as textural as possible. I love combing the technicality and preciseness of the quilting with the artistic painterly expression with the brush.

In the back I added a strip of black with some strips of painted gold. An invisible zipper is allows easy cleaning.

It was such a thrill to see a design through to the finished product! I’m so hooked.

Chambray faux bois pillow.

I was supposed to take a class with Blair Stocker on her Faux Bois pillow. A long story short, I had the wrong day and missed the class and all the fun. Having all of the supplies and instructions, of course I made the pillow anyway.

This was actually my first time machine quilting. All five quilts or so I have made I have hand quilted. This project was so fun and fast. The instructions were articulate and well written. It is so satisfying to whip up something so fast for your home that is unique and beautiful and functional!