Decorating With Quilts

Decorating Tips: Decorating With Quilts

• Sew a plastic liner to a quilt to use as a shower curtain.
• Display antique or favorite quilts as wall decorations by using wall hangers, custom quilt frames, sewing a pocket sleeve onto the back of the quilt and inserting a hanging rod or use a wall shelf for smaller quilts.
• Decorate or accessorize a room by displaying a quilt as the focal point.
• Decorate your home according to the season with themed quilts (fall, spring, summer or holidays).
• Decorate with quilted pillows.

Union Square Pillow

Materials:

fabric
14" x 14" pillow form
thread
needle
cutting mat
rotary cutter

Steps:

Cutting block measurements (figure A)
12 inches square with a one-inch border
A - 1 Square, 4-1/2" x 4-1/2"
B - 2 Squares, 3-3/4" x 3-3/4 ", cut diagonally*
C - 4 Squares, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2"
D - 2 Squares, 4-7/8" x 4 -7/8", cut diagonally
E - 8 Squares, 2-7/8" x 2-7/8", cut diagonally
F - 8 Squares , 2-7/8" x 2-7/8", cut diagonally
*Cutting on the diagonal creates half-square triangles

Cutting tips for directional print fabrics
For larger half-square triangles create a uniform design by cutting one square in the block sequence diagonally and cut the next square (in the sequence) diagonally in the opposite direction. Tip: Smaller size half-triangles for borders can be cut diagonally in the same direction.

Center
1. Line up the center section (blue checkered fabric) with two half-triangles (figure B) on opposite sides and stitch using a 1/4-inch seam allowance, ensure that the pieces extend an equal amount and press. Then stitch the remaining two sides together and press.

2. Stitch the red half-triangles the same as in step #1 using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and press (figure C). The center section is complete.

Outside saw tooth border rows

1. For easier stitching, work and divide into four sections. For the top row, stitch together two half square triangles (one each white fabric and blue patterned fabric) and sew together allow for a 1/4-inch seam allowance and press toward the dark fabric. Stitch the four half-square triangle units together allowing for a 1 /4-inch seam allowance with the white square corners (white fabric squares). Repeat for the three remaining sections.

2. Pin the four sections to the center unit and stitch, allow for a 1/4 inch seam allowance and press.

3. Add a one-inch border to the sides for a 14-inch square pillow, according to pillow form size. Tip: Adjust for pillow form size on the lapped pillow backing.

Lapped pillow backing

14-inch pillow form
two, 14-inch fabric panels

1. Cut two fabric panels the same width as the block to overlap each other (figure D).

2. Line up the fabric panels right sides together (figure E) and stitch, allow for a 1/4-inch seam allowance, and stitch all the way around. Back tack as needed, turn inside out and insert pillow. If desired, add extra batting in the corners for extra padding.