Meadow Dance Blog Hop: Day 2

Get ready for more Meadow Dance inspiration! We've seen what Amanda Murphy has created with her new fabrics (click here if you missed it), and now it's time for some more fun! This week we'll be featuring four different projects using the gorgeous Meadow Dance florals and coordinates. Enjoy the tutorials, and make sure to enter to win a fat quarter bundle!

Today we're sharing two strip pillows using the red floral and coordinating red, teal and green prints from the Meadow Dance collection. One pillow features wonky angled strips--a bit of improv piecing--and the other features straight strips. Both are fun to make and both are quilt as you go! 

A look at the fabrics we used: 

You'll Need:

1/4 yard each of 5 prints

3/8 yard of red floral print

1 yard light red floral

Batting

18" square pillow form

12" x 22" pillow form

Cutting:

From each of the 5 prints:

1-2 strips in a variety of widths ranging from 1-1/2" to 3"; then cut each strip into (2) 21" lengths

From the red floral print:

(2) 5" x 14" pieces

1-2 strips in a variety of widths ranging from 1-1/2" to 3"; then cut each strip into (2) 21" lengths

From the light red floral:

(2) 13" x 18-1/2" pieces (for square pillow backing)

(2) 12-1/2" x 14" pieces (for rectangle pillow backing)

1-2 strips in a variety of widths ranging from 1-1/2" to 3"; then cut each strip into (2) 21" lengths

From the batting:

(1) 20" square of batting

(1) 14" x 24" piece of batting

Make the Square Pillow:

Step 1: Position 1 strip face up along the edge of the 20" batting square. Position a second strip on top, right sides together, angling slightly as shown. 

Step 2: Stitch using a 1/4" seam allowance. Fold batting out of the way and trim excess red strip 1/4" past the seam allowance. 

Step 3: Press the second strip open. 

Step 4: Add another strip in the same manner, angling slight in a different direction. 

Step 5: Continue adding strips.

Step 6: Add strips until the entire piece of batting is covered. 

Step 7: If desired, quilt the pillow front. (You don't have to, because the top was assembled using the quilt as you go method.) Ours is quilted using straight lines at a variety of angles. Trim pillow front to measure 18-1/2" square. 

Step 8: Fold a long edge of each 13" x 18-1/2" light red floral strip over 1/4" and then 1/4" again to create a finished edge. Press and then topstitch. 

Step 9: Layer one backing piece right sides together on the pillow front, aligning raw edges. Pin in place. 

Step 10: Layer the second backing piece on top, overlapping the first backing piece. Pin in place and stitch around all sides of the pillow using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

Step 11: Clip corners and turn the pillow right side out. Stuff with the 18" square pillow form. 

Make the Rectangle Pillow:

Step 1: Layer two strips right sides together on the 14" x 24" batting piece as shown. 

Step 2: Press strips open.

Step 3: Continue adding strips. Tip: You can pin strips in place on both sides to speed up the efficiency of the project.

Step 4: Here's what it looks like with four strips added. Measure after adding strips and trim strips (not batting!) as needed to keep everything straight. 

Step 5: Continue adding strips until section measures 14-1/2" wide. 

Step 6: Sew 5" x 14" red floral strips both ends.  Quilt as desired (we quilted 1/4" from each seam line). Trim to measure 12-1/2" x 22-1/2", making sure the red floral strips at each end are equal width. 

Step 7: Use the (2) 12-1/2" x 14" light red floral pieces to make the backing, creating finished edges along one shorter edge of each piece. Layer pieces right sides together on the pillow top, matching raw edges, and overlapping in the center. 

Step 8: Sew around the pillow edge with a 1/4" seam allowance. Clip corners and turn pillow right side. Stuff with the pillow form. 

Two pillows, ready to enjoy! 

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of Meadow Dance fabrics, leave a comment below letting us know your favorite print in the collection. Giveaway is open through Saturday, September 23rd at 11:59 pm EDT. 

Follow along on all four days of our Meadow Dance blog hop!
Tuesday: Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts
Wednesday: Benartex blog design team
Thursday: Sandra @ Mmm Quilts
Friday: Chris @ made by ChrissieD

Click here to see our original Meadow Dance post. 

Click here to see the entire Meadow Dance collection.

Click here to visit Amanda's website and find her patterns.