9-Patch Pillow

9-Patch Pillow

Pillow Finished Size: 12” x 12”

Supplies Needed

• For Dyeing

  Rit Liquid Dye: Purple, Lemon Yellow & Kelly Green 
  2 Fat quarters (18” x 22”) white cotton broadcloth 
  Measuring cup & spoon 
  8-Cup glass bowl or container 
  Rubber bands 
  Rubber gloves 
  Paper towels 
  Plastic wrap 
  Plastic table cover
   

• For Sewing

  12” Pillow form 
  Rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler 
  Coordinating thread 
  Scissors 
  Straight pins 
  Hand needle 
  Sewing machine

Instructions

Dyeing Fat Quarters

1. Wash and dry fabric to remove any sizing or finishes.
2. Accordion pleat each fat quarter into 1” folds. Wrap rubber bands around pleated fabric every 1 ½”.
3. Prepare Purple dye bath: Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 teaspoon of Purple dye with 4 cups (1 quart) hot water; stir well. Wet one pleated and wrapped fat quarter and immerse in dye bath. Cover container with plastic wrap. Using microwave lined with paper towels, heat set on high for 2 minutes. Remove fabric from dye bath and rinse until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and dry. Iron fabric.

   Note: Test dye colors with a scrap of fabric. If color is too dark, add more water; if color is too light, add more dye.

4. Prepare Chartreuse (green) dye bath: Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix ½ cup Lemon Yellow with 1 teaspoon Kelly Green (this is a custom color). Add 4 cups hot water; stir well. Wet second pleated and wrapped fat quarter and immerse in dye bath. Microwave and wash as in step 3.

Cutting Fabric for Pillow

• Cut five 4 ½” squares from purple fabric
• Cut four 4 ½” squares from green fabric
• Cut two 6 ½” x 12 ½” pieces from green fabric for backing

Sewing Instructions

Note: Use ¼” seam allowances.

1. Backing: Machine stitch center back seam, leave 3” opening in center.
2. Pillow Top: Machine stitch 3 rows of 3 squares each. In first row, stitch one purple, green and purple square together. In second row, stitch a green, purple and green square together. In third row, stitch a purple, green and purple square together. Then stitch rows together. Tip: Press seam allowances in each row in opposite directions so seams will butt up.
3. Pin and machine stitch top and back of pillow, right sides together.
4. Turn pillow right side out and insert pillow form.
5. Hand sew opening closed using a blind stitch.