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Friends, this is my biggest restock ever. I actually just listed three new pillow covers in my Etsy Shop.
I chuckle. Three covers is not many, but it’s the most I’ve ever listed at once. 😉 I recently finished a quilt that looks exactly like this pillow. It was my inspiration. (You’ll see those quilt pictures next week.)
These half square triangle covers are a bit larger than usual. They measure a full 20 by 20 inches.
For these, I cut 5 1/2 inch squares. I trimmed the half square triangles down to 5 inch squares. Then I made the best decision ever. I actually sewed these with 1/2 inch seams. That’s a large seam allowance compared to the typical and standard 1/4 seam. I winced a bit at what felt like a waste of fabric.
BUT. In the past I’ve had a lot of trouble with bulk where half square triangles come together. The bulky intersections would distort my quilting enough that I wanted to try something new for a solution.
While I’m not sure I’d recommend using a 1/2 inch seam allowance on an entire quilt, it worked really well for a relatively small project.
For the backs of the pillows, I primarily used Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun in Chambray. It’s by Robert Kaufman, and I HIGHLY recommend it. I’ve loved this fabric and used it time and time again, and it’s a great textured yet neutral fabric. I paired it with Flower Shop by Patty Stoninger for a little eclecticism and scrappiness.
I finish almost all my pillow covers these days with a metal zipper. They are a tad more expensive, but they are so worth it in my mind. I’ve purchased from Zipit on Etsy multiple times and have always received good customer service.
What pillow forms do I recommend?
May favorites are the 20 inch pillow forms from Ikea. They are relatively inexpensive and fill out an 18 by 18 inch cover perfectly.
For these 20 by 20 inch covers (like the above), I recommend bumping up to the next size of pillow form. I’d suggest looking for a 22 by 22 pillow insert. I have learned, though, that a poly fill pillow form does not seem to fill out a pillow as well as a down form. Be sure to get a well stuff poly fill form if you go that route!
I listed two half square triangle pillows like the one pictured at the top of the post. I also listed this basic patchwork pillow pictured just above. Since I have a quilt exactly like the half square triangle ones, I wasn’t tempted to keep those. This one, though, is a temptation. I really enjoy how it turned out. I like the bold scrappiness of it.
And I really like how the back turned out.
The linen above is, once again, Essex Yarn Dyed Homespun in Chambray. The text print is Flower Shop by Patty Stoninger. The denim at the bottom is by Art Gallery Fabrics. The color is Endless Paradise, but I believe that color is getting harder and harder to find.
I will never tire of seeing that Rifle Paper Co Amalfi print. It’s called Herb Garden in Natural. I’m hoarding yardage of it for some unknown future use. 🙂
It was a joy to take a break from my larger quilt projects and sew some pillow covers. They are a favorite of mine. If you saw our living room, you’d see the wide array of colors and patchwork that I’ve kept over the years. I so enjoy the texture and variety of prints.
If you’re interested in purchasing any of these, head to my Etsy Shop.
