I wanted to make a pillow to go with my Downton Abbey DWR quilt but I only had fat quarters and some leftover backing to work with. I searched around for a pattern and ended up choosing a throw pillow from the Elegant Embroidered Quilts with Amanda Murphy Craftsy class. The project is the North Star Pillow and incorporates a pretty embroidery design in the middle of pieced star.
It took a moment to remember how to even get the included class embroidery design file into my machine (it's been a while since I embroidered!) but it all came back to me and I started my test design. I'm always glad I took the time to do a sample because it really helps me decide if I've selected the right thread colours. I can also iron out any kinks in placement, needle issues, stabilizers, etc. and I happened to also empty some leftover bobbins I had pulled from the machine after the low bobbin warning.
I used fat quarter scraps from my quilt to piece the points of the star and had just enough of the yardage to make my borders, cornerstones, and buttonhole panel. I used the Downton Abbey backing for the back of the pillow and the block background fabric for the binding. It worked out perfectly! All I had to buy was a new pillow form and some pretty blue buttons! I even had some interfacing in my stash to use on the back.
It was really simple to piece the pillow top and it's great to have the embroidery pieced in after it is done (no worries about placement or having issues and ruining an entire project). Quilting the pillow top was super fun. I wanted to mirror the design with what I'd done on the quilt and I think I pulled it off while still keeping in mind the unique motif in the pillow. Also, I decided to quilt it entirely on my Sweet 16 and I had a blast with this first project. I stitched in the ditch first using my Fine Line Rulers from Patsy Thompson Design and they were so easy to use! I love them! Next, I did some straight line quilting around the north star to really emphasize that shape. I think it looks awesome. Of course, I used the same beautiful Aurifil Cotton Mako 50 weight thread that I used for the entire king size Double Wedding Ring quilt. #2310 matches the background fabric perfectly and quilts like a dream. I had zero problems with it on my Sweet 16 for this pillow and my Horizon loves it (which I used to quilt the quilt). I have used several spools of #2310 and didn't want to run out so I have a couple left over. I have more background fabric to use up and the cream shade is ideal for piecing so it definitely won't go to waste!
After that was done I added the feathers in the same fan shape as in my quilt blocks. I micro stippled between them and added another feather fan in the corner stones. In the borders I did the same circle-with-a-teardrop chain as I have in the DWR arcs and they turned out great. I used matching thread in each section of the pillow so the quilting doesn't show up quite as much as the cream thread I used in the quilt but the texture is there. I was very pleased that I had no problems with the different threads in my Sweet 16. I used my bobbin winder for the first time with excellent results and tested the bobbins in my TOWA gauge. I also used the basting stitch mode to baste the edges of the pillow quilt sandwich and the button panel. It works wonderfully! What a lot of fun I had getting to know my Rosebud better.
I used some fusible interfacing in the back of the pillow to add some stability and strength where the buttons are. I did switch to my Horizon 7700 to both make the button holes and attach the buttons. This was a new exercise for me (I have made both before but never more than one at a time) and they didn't quite line up evenly like I was shooting for! Still, the pillow stays closed and I don't think anyone will notice they are slightly off centre. I'm really happy that it turned out so nicely and I think it looks great on the bed with the quilt. I got to break out my embroidery machine, use up some 'free' fabric, and really get quilting on my new Sweet 16. This was another excellent project from the Elegant Embroidered Quilts class. Two of my favourites pieces ever are from Amanda Murphy - the Garden Walk Table Runner and now, this pillow! I am definitely going to add one of her quilts and maybe another pillow to my list of future endeavours.
Your first project on your sit down machine is absolutely beautiful. A perfect compliment to your double wedding ring. I have been reading through a lot of your old posts, and I wonder how you like your grace frames. I used to have some, but didn't like the space it took up and got rid of them. I like sitting down to quilt. :) And yes, we do have a lot in common.
Posted by: Jasmine | April 11, 2015 at 10:34 PM