Sew a Pillow from an Orphan Quilt Block
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
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
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.
- Serge or zigzag one long edge of each of the pillow back rectangles.
- 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.
- Topstitch the hook & loop tape to the fabric.
- Fold under a 3″ hem along hook & loop tape edges.
- Topstitch the hems.
- 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″.
- With 1/4″ seam allowance, baste the overlap along right and left edges.
- 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.
- Connect the lines using a ruler. (Optional)
- Place rulers at 4″ measurement along cut edge and taper to 1/2″ mark; trim.
- Repeat on all four corners.
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.
- “Wrap” the corners: Fold the fabric along the stitch line at the bottom corner; pin.
- Sew over the wrapped fold.
- Release hook & loop tape, turn right side out.
- Gently push all four corners out with a Point2Point turning tool.
- Insert a pillow form. Ta dah!
Do you have quilt blocks in other sizes?
Use this handy reference chart to create an envelope-style pillow back for any quilt block!
Watch The Best of Sewing With Nancy online at NancyZieman.com
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
Betty L
Have not counted them lately but do know there are quite a few. Just never knew what to do with these blocks
Clovis
I don’ t have any blocks, but I could make a whole lot with the set.
Sheila
Thanks for the great idea. I probably have around 20 or so.
nancy
Oh my! More then I thought! About 20!
Sandra Lanter
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
I have at least 50 orphan blocks. Lately I have been making the smaller ones in to pin cushions.
Laura
Only a few, just gave a bunch to a friend who makes them into quilts for charity.
Linda E in AZ
Maybe only 12-15. I’ve tried to use them for other projects like putting one on a Tshirt front.
Thanks!
Ellen
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
It depends at what point it becomes a block!
Bonnye
I have about 12 blocks. I was given 10 blocks when a friend downsized.
Starla
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
I have about 12–LOVE this idea…and somewhat ashamed I did not think of this myself. Thank you for the inspiration!
Hazel Davidson
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
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
I have about 8 blocks – many from where the points didn’t make it!
Judy Reames
Now I have an excuse to make blocks. What great gift ideas.
Marty
Have 2 orphan blocks which I’ve decided to put into the middle of table toppers.
DebbieW
My best guesstimate of how many orphan blocks are in my stash…4.
Deb
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
I only have about 5 — but I’ve only been quilting about 1 1/2 years.
Mary Ann Stauffacher
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
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
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
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
To many to count. What a great idea. Thanks for showing us a great way to use up some of my blocks.
Shirley Clark
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
I’ve just found at least 10 so far!
Marilyn S
I have 14 right now.
Cassy L.
I don’t have very many orphan blocks. There are only about a half dozen.
Tammy
I have four that were just given to me. I love the envelope idea and am so glad I now have instructions!