The joy of quilting pillows is all about color coordination and combination of shapes, sizes, and symmetry. I love to match colors together to display and balance out an image. I don’t always get it right, but for the most part I am satisfied with the outcome. An item should have harmony, similarity, and balance. Just look at the pillows above and you will see a beautiful harmonious balance in shape, color, and form. The key is to place colors opposite of each other to create balance. The pillow below speaks to creating color balance with the middle block being out of balance. Such is the Dr. Who Tardis which can spin out of control in space.

This is a travel pillow I made for my husband. I took an online sewing course to make this pillow. You can make one yourself using 5-inch charm packs or using left over fabric. The travel pillow uses cut 3.5-inch squares to make a pillow size that is 21 inches long by 14.5 inches in height. Give it a go and start cutting out your 3.5-inch squares and lay them out on the table. You can use your own pattern design for the pillow. Just remember to place colors opposite of each other to create balance in your pillow.

Below is another color combination for the travel pillow.

Whatever size cut squares you use will give different results in the total size of the project. You can experiment with different block sizes. Quilted pillows can be made in different square block sizes. Panel, nine patch and object shape pillows such as the heart shape pillow shown below.

Quilted pillows have batting underneath the block design before it is quilted on the sewing machine. You do not need a special machine. As long as you are able to add a walker foot attachment to your machine, you can quilt. I have heard instructors say, “it does not matter what machine you use; you can quilt on any machine.” I was able to quilt on my old Singer sewing machine. Below I am sewing up strips of fabric to make a hot pad.

If you decide to make the travel pillow, you will lay out your square cut fabric in the pattern order of rows. Five rows in which you sew together side to side 1/4 inch before you sew the rows together. After you have sewn your squares together in a row, you will press with an iron on the back side having your seams go to the right. Then on the next row, iron your seams to the left before sewing it together on the row above. You can do this for a small block square pillow as well. Ironing the back seams going in opposite ways in each row will keep your top flat and smooth with no lumps. No top stitching on the travel pillow unless you want to practice and try it out. Pick a simple pattern and outline the center squares only.

The next step would be to put on the backing of the pillow. The overlap or envelop pillow back is the simplest way to do this especially if you fear sewing on a zipper. I found this wonderful video that shows you how to do make the envelope pillow backing. Once you got your backing on, it is time to find the insert pillow.

One important thing to consider is the finished pillow size and what size insert to use as well as the different sizes of pillowcases. Just look at the two images below to help you decide what size to buy and use. For the travel pillow I was able to find on Amazon a 15×21 Inch Rectangular Throw Pillow Insert Form.