Shibori “Squared” Pillow

Shibori “Squared” Pillow

By Teri Lucas

Shibori hand-dyed fabrics give new dimension and movement to this classic “square in a square” quilt design. Teri Lucas, quilt designer, author and teacher, created this virtual pillow using software by Electric Quilt 6. The hand-dyed fabrics in this quilt are the same fabrics featured in Shibori Dyeing Techniques.

Finished Pillow Size: 26” x 26”

Note:  Size can be adjusted to suit your pillow needs

Hand-Dyed Shibori Fabrics

Before making this quilt, you will need to dye 10 fat quarters using Rit liquid dye. Dye colors used are:  Apple Green, Teal, Lemon Yellow, Fuchsia, Scarlet, Royal Blue and Purple.  Specific fabric color combinations are listed below. Follow directions for Shibori Dyeing under Dyeing Techniques.  Note: Black fabric can be purchased.

Additional Supplies

  • Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat and Ruler
  • 26” Pillow Form
  • Straight Pins
  • White Sewing Thread for piecing
  • Sewing Machine

Cutting Instructions

Fuchsia -- 1 Fat Quarter

  • 2 – 4” square
  • 4– 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles

Black -- 1 Yard

  • 18 – 4” x 1 ¼” strips
  • 18 – 4 ½” x 1 ¼” strips
  • 18 – 5” x 1 ¼” strips
  • 18 – 5 ½” x 1 ¼” strips
  •  2 – 21 ½” x 1 ½” strips (inner border)
  •  2 – 23 ½” x 1 ½” strips (inner border)
  •  2 – 26” x 18” rectangles for the back of the pillow

Lemon Yellow & Scarlet -- 1 Fat Quarter

  •  2 – 4” squares
  •  4 – 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles

Teal & Lemon Yellow -- 1 Fat Quarter

  •  2 – 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles

Apple Green -- 1 Fat Quarter

  •  2 – 4” squares
  •  2 – 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles

Violet  -- 3 Fat Quarters

  •   2 – 4” squares
  •   4 – 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles
  •   2 – 23 ½” x 2 ½” strips (outer border)
  •   2 – 26 ½” x 2 ½” strips (outer border)

Evening Blue -- 2 Fat Quarters

  •   18 – 2 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles

Royal Blue & Purple -- 1 Fat Quarter

  •   1 – 4” squares

Piecing Blocks

Note:  Stitch ¼” seam allowances

1.  There are nine blocks in this pillow top.  Finished block size is 7 ½”.  Frame nine 4” squares with short black strips:  Stitch the 4” x 1 ¼” black strips to opposite sizes of square; then stitch the 4 ½” x 1 ¼” black strips to two remaining sides of square.  Press seam allowances toward black strips.  Be careful not to pull and stretch block out of shape.

2.  Stitch Evening Blue triangles to each side of black framed squares to create a “square in a square” unit.  Find the center of the squares and the blue triangles by folding in half and marking with a pinch crease on two opposite sides.  Pin triangles to square and stitch. The black will extend beyond the blue triangles.  Trim away the excess black fabric to square up the block.

3.  Stitch the 5” x 1 ¼” black strips to the opposite sides of the “square in a square” unit.  Then stitch the 5 ½” x 1 ¼” black strips to the two remaining sides.

4.  Following the colors in the pillow top, pin and stitch the 3 ¾” squares cut into half square triangles to each side of black framed “square in a square” unit.  The black fabric will extend beyond the triangles.  Trim away the excess black fabric to square up the block.

Pillow Top Block Layout

5.  Stitch the blocks together to form the main portion of the pillow.

6.  Stitch the 21 ½” x 1 ½” black border strips to two opposite sides of the pillow top.  Then  stitch the 23 ½” x 1 ½” black border strips to the two remaining sides of pillow top.

7.  Add the Violet border strips:  Stitch the 23 ½” x 2 ½” strip to two opposite sides of the pillow top; then stitch the 26 ½” x 2 ½” strips to the two remaining sides.

Pillow Back Instructions

1.  Along one 26” side of black rectangle, fold under ½” toward wrong side and press.  Fold again ½” and press fold.  Stitch close to top and bottom of each fold.  Repeat on other black rectangle.

2.  Pin the right sides of the black rectangles to the right side of the pillow top so they overlap at the finished edge in the center of the pillow top.  Stitch ¼” seam around all four sides.  Then stitch again next to the previous stitching line. This will ensure the pillow won’t push too hard on the edge of the top.

3.  Turn right sides out and insert a 26” pillow form.  Enjoy!

 

Details