5 Pillow Tops to Make and Quilt

plus BONUS pillowcase patterns suggestions

A quilted pillowcase is basically a mini quilt block with an enclosing backing.

In this post I will show you 5 different quilt blocks I’ve made – pillow tops – and quilted to make pillowcases throw style.

It’s a fun and quick project, the possibilities are endless!

When you think about a throw pillow just imagine a regular quilt block, generally from a 12″ square to a 20″ square, singularly quilted as in a regular quilt: front(block top)-batting-backing. Now imagine that you’re making a case, so an enclosing type of backing will have to be added. The closure can be done in several ways such as envelope, zipper, ties, etc. To complete this case, the finishing will be using binding, stitch all around and turn inside out, or French seams – although there are projects I’ve seen where there were raw edges inside with no finishing to prevent fraying, but I don’t find it cool.

A quilted pillowcase is meant to be a fine décor item, it needs to be well finished in order to last, just like a quilt. To learn more about finishing and closure types, stay tuned for the next post in the coming week, in this blog.

So let’s talk about 5 different quilt blocks to make and quilt that are perfect to turn into quilted pillowcases!!

1. Foundation Paper Piecing

There are several wonderful foundation paper piecing patterns and designs out there, and most of them are one single block of a specific theme.

Differently from a regular quilt block, foundation paper piecing is often designed to be singular and it comes in at least 3 sizes. It’s also possible to enlarge or shrink a foundation paper piecing pattern just by adjusting the percentage of the scaling when you print it, making it an excellent type of pattern to enlarge in order to make quilt blocks for pillowcases.

The pattern above is called Geometric Continental United States by Quiet Play, and it’s a 14″ square pattern that I added borders to reach a 16″ square size for the throw pillow.

2. Skill-building blocks

There are many quilt patterns that we call “skill-building”, that’s because it teaches us several techniques in one single pattern and these are great to make pillows!!

In general, making a single quilt block to practice skills is smart, it prepares you to take over an entire quilt and it enriches your skills to apply to future projects.

Look at this quilt block above called “Woodland – Winter fun pillows” by Tilda’s World. It includes flying geese blocks, corner triangle units, half-square triangles, and applique(round pink cheek after finished). It is a fun project to make and great to use free motion quilting as I used on mine (click the picture of the finished pillow at the top of the article).

3. Applique blocks

One of my favorite blocks to work on applique projects is the Dresden plate, and speaking of applique there are so many options out there, you can even simply download a free template of anything on Pinterest and cut that out on fabric and make your own applique pieces/template.

I find it easier to work with raw edge applique, it’s quick, and using decorative stitches makes it even more delicate. I love using either blanket stitch or straight stitch on my projects.

4. Quilt-as-you-go

Quilt-as-you-go is definitely one of the best techniques to create a block for a pillowcase specifically.

Briefly explaining in case you have never tried, you basically cut a piece of batting 2 inches larger than the project you want to make (perfect for using batting scraps!), and then you cut fabric strips enough to cover the batting and for each piece you sew, the sides need to be the same of the last seam, you will consistently sew straight seams in all directions and achieve a patchwork quilt top sewn on the batting and ready to be quilted, which you can do as-you-go also if you’re quilting by machine, so by the time you finish, your piece is ready to attach the backing and be closed/bound.

To understand fully how to do this, I have a FULL tutorial on how to make this exact mini pillow above, and how to hand quilt it!!! CLICK HERE.

5. Traditional piecing – scrap buster

We’ve all accumulated pounds and pounds of scrap fabrics and also those tiny pieces from corners and trimmings. Well, I have good news! Pillowcase them (hahaha let’s make a verb of it!).

I love to save the corners of binding joining and quilt blocks I made to make half-square triangles like these. Small scraps are often colorful and even though small, they’re big enough to improv.

Improvising with scraps doesn’t carry rules, you can keep it consistent like my half-square triangle blocks, or you can mix anything you have around your sewing room, on the edge of your trash bin into something absolutely modern and beautiful!

For this project specifically, traditionally pieced, using half-square triangles or simple squares, I have another FULL tutorial HERE. In this project, you’ll see that a pillowcase is in fact a mini quilt.

BONUS pattern suggestions

There are infinite patterns all over the internet to download for free or for purchasing, PDF or physical copies.

I listed below some of my favorite designers, they also include in their patterns pillow size versions and/or design pillow patterns exclusively.

Berry Birdy (Lesley)

Lesley is a maker of all beautiful things, in her store, you will find several patterns for pillows specifically, among other wonderful patterns for Dresden blocks, pincushions, and more!

Squats and Running Stitches (Summer)

Summer is a modern quilt pattern designer, and she includes pillow size options in her patterns that are sold separately, like this one for example.

Currently, she is giving away a FREE copy of pillow/playmat size options of her NEW pattern “Vintage Knit Quilt” that releases in a few weeks. To get this pattern NOW, sign up for her newsletter HERE, on the first button.

Shannon Fraser Designs (Shannon)

If you’re looking to venture into making a lumbar pillow, besides the throw size, then Shannon has got you covered! She has at least 3 wonderful options of lumbar pillows (and also square) for you to dive right into it.

I hope this post has inspired you to create your quilted pillowcase and have fun no matter what type you choose to make!

Thank you for reading!!

Daisi Toegel