Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block

Sew a Pillow from a Leftover Orphan Quilt Block Tutorial by Nancy Zieman

Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block

Sew a Pillow from a Leftover Orphan Quilt Block Tutorial by Nancy Zieman
Along our quilting journey, we try new techniques and test interesting ideas. Sometimes these valuable lessons and attempts yield “orphan blocks” or leftover quilt blocks that don’t belong to a larger quilt. Take one or more of these treasured quilt blocks and sew them into throw pillows. It’s an easy idea that doesn’t require any additional quilting!

The block Nancy is featuring today was created from a leftover block from her 2016 Quilt Extravaganza. This Be My Valentine block—and soon to be pillow—was made with the Carefree Curves Template.

All the quilt blocks in the 2016 Quilt Extravaganza, are created using contrasting strips of fabric strata. If you don’t have a leftover block of your own, sew this Be My Valentine block from Nancy’s February 2016 Block of the Month posting.

Be My Valentine Block Pillow

Be My Valentine Block by Nancy Zieman

Make your Quilt Block into a Pillow

Supplies

  • One quilt block 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″
  • 3/8 yard fabric for pillow back
  • 7″ length of hook and loop tape
  • One 12″ pillow form insert 
Note From Team Nancy1This pillow tutorial will work with any 12-1/2″ quilt block. Nancy used the Be My Valentine block for her pillow.

Envelope Pillow Back

  • Create the pillow back using two fabric rectangles cut 12-1/2″ x 9-1/4″ along with a 7″ length of sew-on hook & loop tape.
  • Separate the hook & loop tape pieces.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Serge or zigzag one long edge of each of the pillow back rectangles.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman

  • Center the top edge of the sew-on hook & loop tape strips to each rectangle 1-1/2″ from the serged or zigzagged edge using the 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Topstitch the hook & loop tape to the fabric.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman

  •  Fold under a 3″ hem along hook & loop tape edges.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman

  • Topstitch the hems.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman

  • Overlap the rectangles, matching the hook & loop tape strips. The pillow back is now the same size as the pillow front: 12-1/2″ x 12-1/2″.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman
  • With 1/4″ seam allowance, baste the overlap along right and left edges.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Stack the front and back pillow pieces, right sides together.
  • Shape the corners of the front and back pieces to prevent pokey corners.
  • Measure down and across 4″ and mark with non-permanent pen.
  • Measure in 1/2″ along both sides of the corners and mark.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy ZiemanHow to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

  • Connect the lines using a ruler. (Optional)
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Place rulers at 4″ measurement along cut edge and taper to 1/2″ mark; trim.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

  • Repeat on all four corners.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

Note From Team Nancy2

 

Consider making a template of the size of the shaped corners from card stock to quickly mark the pillow corners.

 

  • Stitch front and back pillow pieces, using 1/4″ seam allowance.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

  • “Wrap” the corners: Fold the fabric along the stitch line at the bottom corner; pin.

How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

 

  • Sew over the wrapped fold.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman
  •  Release hook & loop tape, turn right side out.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Gently push all four corners out with a Point2Point turning tool.
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman
  • Insert a pillow form. Ta dah!
How to Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block by Nancy Zieman

Do you have quilt blocks in other sizes?

Use this handy reference chart to create an envelope-style pillow back for any quilt block!

EnvelopePillowSizes NancyZieman3

Watch The Best of Sewing With Nancy online at NancyZieman.com

 

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Happy Sewing,

Team Nancy Zieman

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.

Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC

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55 Comments

  • Betty L
    February 4, 2017

    Have not counted them lately but do know there are quite a few. Just never knew what to do with these blocks

  • Clovis
    February 4, 2017

    I don’ t have any blocks, but I could make a whole lot with the set.

  • Sheila
    February 4, 2017

    Thanks for the great idea. I probably have around 20 or so.

  • nancy
    February 4, 2017

    Oh my! More then I thought! About 20!

  • Sandra Lanter
    February 4, 2017

    Probably just about 20, but this is a great idea to use them up! I meet once a month with two different small groups of friends who do not sew and at Christmas this would be a good little gift. I guess I could make pot holders out of them also. Thanks.

  • Bridget
    February 4, 2017

    I have at least 50 orphan blocks. Lately I have been making the smaller ones in to pin cushions.

  • Laura
    February 4, 2017

    Only a few, just gave a bunch to a friend who makes them into quilts for charity.

  • Linda E in AZ
    February 4, 2017

    Maybe only 12-15. I’ve tried to use them for other projects like putting one on a Tshirt front.
    Thanks!

  • Ellen
    February 4, 2017

    Love the idea, I am a big fan of hearts and crazy quilts so this is fantastic!
    I have about a dozen blocks that would work with this technique, can hardly wait to start. That ruler looks great!
    Thanks for another wonderful idea!

  • Linda Rupe
    February 4, 2017

    It depends at what point it becomes a block!

  • Bonnye
    February 4, 2017

    I have about 12 blocks. I was given 10 blocks when a friend downsized.

  • Starla
    February 4, 2017

    I have 10 or 12 — made mostly to practice before making the “real” ones — flaws and all, I treasure them, as they show how much I’ve been learning! (And they’re pretty, too!)

  • Jennifer Reinke
    February 4, 2017

    I have about 12–LOVE this idea…and somewhat ashamed I did not think of this myself. Thank you for the inspiration!

  • Hazel Davidson
    February 4, 2017

    I probably have more than 20 orphan blocks. I make a new block before starting a new project and sometimes it just doesn’t speak to me and when moving on, this block just gets left behind.

  • Gina M
    February 4, 2017

    I have very few orphan blocks. I use them for quilt labels, mug mats or sew up the corners into fabric bowls/boxes. I *do* have lots of UFO’s, however! Maybe some will be re-purposed into a different sewing project…

  • Sunni
    February 4, 2017

    I have about 8 blocks – many from where the points didn’t make it!

  • Judy Reames
    February 4, 2017

    Now I have an excuse to make blocks. What great gift ideas.

  • Marty
    February 4, 2017

    Have 2 orphan blocks which I’ve decided to put into the middle of table toppers.

  • DebbieW
    February 4, 2017

    My best guesstimate of how many orphan blocks are in my stash…4.

  • Deb
    February 4, 2017

    At first I was going to say only 1or 2 unil I started adding them in my head. I have way more than I thought!! about 20 that are not sewn into projects.

  • Karen M
    February 4, 2017

    I only have about 5 — but I’ve only been quilting about 1 1/2 years.

  • Mary Ann Stauffacher
    February 4, 2017

    I have at least a dozen that aren’t going in a quilt project. I really appreciate your directions. I always ended up with pointy corners and could never determine why until I watched your video. Thank you.

  • Mary Jo Pigott Groom
    February 5, 2017

    I just came home from an embroidery weekend with an orphan block and read your blog. Great timing! Now I know what I’m doing with it. Thanks Nancy.

  • Linda Smith
    February 5, 2017

    What a Wonderful idea !! Thank you so much I have too many orphan blocks !! But know I have the purpose and the directions on what to do with them !! They will all now be adopted !!
    Thanks so Much Linda

  • kathy
    February 5, 2017

    I have at least 10 orphan blocks. This does not include the blocks I’ve started but have not finished. So many ideas and not enough time to do everything that interests me.

  • Cindy Schultz
    February 6, 2017

    To many to count. What a great idea. Thanks for showing us a great way to use up some of my blocks.

  • Shirley Clark
    February 6, 2017

    I have a few, but most of mine are some I found in yard sales and some from my mom’s stash. I had good intentions to use them!

  • Deena Paine
    February 6, 2017

    I’ve just found at least 10 so far!

  • Marilyn S
    February 7, 2017

    I have 14 right now.

  • Cassy L.
    February 7, 2017

    I don’t have very many orphan blocks. There are only about a half dozen.

  • Tammy
    February 7, 2017

    I have four that were just given to me. I love the envelope idea and am so glad I now have instructions!

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