The idea for this project came about from a set of embroidery CDs we received from Westminster Fibers. They have a new series of machine embroidery designs, which have been digitized to coordinate with the fabrics from some of the industry’s leading fabric designers. What a great idea … and perfect as a project to celebrate National Embroidery Month. These two beautiful boudoir pillows each feature a large scale medallion print from Free Spirit fabrics with a featured embroidery design artfully positioned. The print is ‘fussy cut’ and positioned over matching plain fabric, using a raw edge appliqué technique. Easy to make and beautiful to display.

The idea for this project came about from a set of embroidery CDs we received from Westminster Fibers. They have a new series of machine embroidery designs, which have been digitized to coordinate with the fabrics from some of the industry’s leading fabric designers. What a great idea … and perfect as a project to celebrate National Embroidery Month. These two beautiful boudoir pillows each feature a large scale medallion print from Free Spirit fabrics with a featured embroidery design artfully positioned. The print is ‘fussy cut’ and positioned over matching plain fabric, using a raw edge appliqué technique. Easy to make and beautiful to display.

The Free Spirit Aviary-Rose Damask in Pink, Aviary Woodgrain in Pink and the Cream Decorator solid are all currently available various online sources including QuiltHome. Our special thanks to Westminster Fibers for providing us with their new Designer Embroidery CDs to play with.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome MC6600P)
• Any Embroidery Machine (we recommend the Janome MB-4)
• Appliqué foot

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Fabric for Pillow 1 front and back, and Pillow 2 front: ½ yard of patterned 45″ wide fabric (includes extra fabric for fussy-cutting of the motif pattern): we used Free Spirit’s Aviary Rose Damask in Pink
• Fabric for Pillow 1 and Pillow 2 background accent: ½ yard of plain 45″ wide fabric: we used Free Spirit’s Decorator Solid in Cream
• Fabric for Pillow 2 back: 3/8 yard of 45″ coordinating patterned 45″ wide fabric: we used Free Spirit’s Aviary Woodgrain in Pink
• Two 12″ pillow forms or polyester filler
• Embroidery design CDs or other files: we used “Sparrow & Cherry Blossom” and “Orchid” both from Joel Dweberry’s Modern Motifs 1 from Westminster Fibers
• All purpose thread to match fabric
• Cut-away stabilizer
• Embroidery thread in colors to coordinate with fabric and as suggested by embroidery design
• Bobbin thread
• 12½” quilter’s acrylic square ruler
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Appliqué scissors
• Fabric marker
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Iron and ironing board

Getting Started

Pillow 1

1. Use the quilter’s square ruler to select and center a large motif for the pillow front. If you don’t have a quilter’s square, you can use a plastic or see-through paper template; the square simply makes the job faster and easier.
   
2. With the quilter’s square, or template, in position, use the rotary cutter to cut a 12½” x 12½” square from the main patterned fabric (Aviary Rose Damask in Pink in our sample).
3. Trim away the center motif using small sharp scissors, following along the INSIDE of the green outline.
   
4. Cut a second square for the pillow back from the main patterned fabric, again centering a motif.
5. Cut a matching square from the decorator fabric (Free Spirit Decorator Solid in Cream in our sample).

Pillow 2

1. Position the quilter’s square on the main patterned fabric (Aviary Rose Damask in Pink in our sample), using the measurement markings on the square to create a 7″ x 12″ rectangle. Keep the motif pattern centered from top to bottom. Cut the rectangle with with the rotary cutter.
   
2. With the appliqué scissors, trim the edge of the rectangle, following along the OUTSIDE of the green outline of the motif.
3. Using the quilter’s square, cut a 12½” x 12½” square from the decorator fabric (Free Spirit Decorator Solid in Cream in our sample).
4. Still using the quilter’s square or your template, cut one 12½” x 12½” square from the coordinating print fabric (Aviary Woodgrain in Pink in our sample).

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

Pillow 1

1. Place the trimmed patterned fabric over the square of plain fabric, matching the raw outside edges. Pin in place.
2. With your sewing machine and an appliqué foot, sew along the edges of the cut out, following the pattern lines of the print.
   
3. If you are new to appliqué techniques, check out our tutorial: How to Appliqué.
4. Mark the exact center of the pillow for the embroidery design, using a fabric pencil.
   
5. Hoop the pillow top with two layers of cut away stabilizer. Make sure your mark is centered in the hoop.
6. Follow your embroidery machine’s steps to import a design from a CD and stitch it out as normal, using thread colors to coordinate with your selected fabrics.
7. When the embroidery is complete, trim away excess stabilizer, and press embroidery from the wrong side of the fabric.
8. Match the completed pillow top to the pillow back with right sides together. Pin in place.
9. Stitch around the pillow using a ¼” seam, leaving a 5″ opening for turning.
10. Trim the corners, and turn the pillow right sides out. Gently push out the corners with your finger or a blunt-end tool, like a large knitting needle.
11. Insert the pillow form or polyester fiber fill, and slip stitch the opening closed.

Pillow 2

1. Place the trimmed patterned fabric rectangle over the square of plain fabric, matching the outside edges. Pin in place.
2. With the sewing machine and appliqué foot, sew along the edges of the cut out, following the pattern lines of the print.
3. Mark the pillow for the embroidery design using a fabric pencil. We centered our design between the upper and lower edge of the pillow, 5″ in from the right edge.
4. Hoop the pillow top with two layers of cut away stabilizer. Make sure your mark is centered in the hoop.
5. Follow your embroidery machine’s steps to import a design from a CD and stitch it out as normal, using thread colors to coordinate with your selected fabrics.
6. When the embroidery is complete, trim away excess stabilizer, and press embroidery from the wrong side of the fabric.
7. Match the completed pillow top to the pillow back with right sides together. Pin in place.
8. Stitch around the pillow using a ¼” seam, leaving a 5″ opening for turning.
9. Trim the corners, and turn the pillow right sides out. Gently push out the corners with your finger or a blunt-end tool, like a large knitting needle.
10. Insert the pillow form or polyester fiber fill, and slip stitch the opening closed

Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Michele Mishler