To my family's surprise (and delight) I've been slowly working on replacing the many very colorful pillows in our family room with more muted colors and simpler patchwork.
This is my newest addition to a more grown up family room and I really, really love how this simple triangle patchwork pillow cover turned out.
I started out by picking this lovely stack from my stash and cutting it into isosceles triangles. I used this ruler for all the cutting and highly recommend you get one if you're planning on doing any triangle patchworking.
Once I arranged my triangles though, there was something about all these colors together I didn't quite like. I think it was too much pattern and too many saturated colors with no breathing space, so I decided to get rid of some fabrics completely, use less of others, and add more low volume and whitish solids to the mix.
This was my second layout and while I still like the original stack of fabrics, I think this version feels way more "me".
And, in the name of keeping things simple, I did and all over straight line quilting for the front, and used Ellen Baker's origami paper cranes linen for the back of the pillow.
This pillow cover finished at 18" square.
Now, I know sewing triangles into patchwork is more tricky than squares or rectangles might be. So, if you want to give it a try but are unsure about how to do it so your points match up, I recommend you give Adrianne's tutorial a try. It's fantastic, you'll love it!!
Svetlana
Beautiful! I know what you mean about the colors in our home decor. My heart wants to throw bright primary colors around the house but there is very little else in the house that would match that color theme!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic and you've given me ideas about replacing some of my older cushions.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colors...thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI loved the purple in your first colour palette, but I think you were right to remove it and go with what you did. Your pillow is just so pretty, soft and calm. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your process.
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous ! I love these colours. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove Love Love!! I just might have to make one just like it. You know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!! :-)
ReplyDeleteI love your new pillows, but if you want, you can mail all your old colorful ones to me! LOL They will mix right in nicely with the madness I have going on here
ReplyDeleteLovely new cushion! I really like the 2 text fabrics you used. Are you able to let us know what they are in case they're still available for sale somewhere?
ReplyDeleteCan we see the "before" pillows and the "after pillows" in their local environment, please?
ReplyDeleteLovely new pillows. But I would have kept the purple triangle. I think it adds some snap.
Also, I checked out the tutorial you suggested and I must add that I would caution against pressing seams open, which she suggests. The gaps between the stitches allow batting to squeak out. When you press to one side--which is generally considered standard--these gaps are protected by the seam's fabric.
Pressing seams open may be okay if the piecing is exceptionally complicated, but I would suggest that it only be done in rare instances. The pressed open seam may seem like the way to go when trying to get the piecing flat, but in the long run your quilt will suffer.
Beautiful- I always love your work. You have such a sophisticated look!!
ReplyDeleteLove your cushion. The Triangles are a really effective look, I might have to give it a try! :0) xx
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful! I love the colours and the idea of using triangles :)
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