Strip Quilted Multicolor Pillows

Strip-quilting with bias tape and variegated threads create these attractive pillows. It’s a great way to pull together a color scheme. Select a Coats Multi Color Quilting thread that complements your room, then select bias tapes in the colors that appear in the thread.

Supplies:

• Star Multi Color Machine Quilting Thread (V38). We used 811 Teaberries.
• Coats Extra Wide Bias Tape (M626P): 4 colors. We used 128 Red, 13 Navy, 306A Camel and 61A Forest Green
• Coats Bias Hem Facing (M63P): 1 pkg. We used 16 Ecru
• Coats Bias Corded Piping (M951P): 1 pkg. We used 13 Navy
• Coats Dual Duty Plus® All-purpose thread: for bobbin and assembly of pillow
• Low-loft quilt batting
• Muslin: 1/2 yard for backing and back of pillow
• Pillow form: 14"
• Temporary fabric adhesive (basting) spray

Directions:

1. Cutting: Cut two 15" squares of muslin, one for backing the quilted pillow top, and one for the back of the pillow (or use a coordinating print fabric for the backing). Cut one 15" square of batting.
   
    
2. Layer the batting on top of one of the muslin squares.
   
    
3. Draw a line on the batting 1" above the center to mark the placement for the first piece of bias tape. Lightly spray the batting with basting spray.
   
    
4. Place the edge of the hem facing close to the marked line. Cut the end of the tape, making certain that it extends beyond the edges of the batting. Place a piece of wide bias tape on either side of the hem
   facing butting the folded edges of the tapes together. Cut the tape. Continue placing the bias tape on the pillow top in desired pattern of stripes. The basting spray will hold the tape in place, pin ends if necessary. Press lightly with a warm iron to remove any packaging folds from the tape.
   
    
5. Set your machine for a decorative stitch. Thread machine with Star Multi Color Machine Quilting thread on top and
   all-purpose thread in the bobbin.
   
    
6. Starting with the center stripes and working to the outer edges, center the line of stitching over the butted edges of the bias tapes. On the hem facing, select another stitch pattern and sew a row of decorative stitching down the center.

Constructing the pillow:

1. Machine-baste piping in place along the piping stitching using a zipper foot or cording foot.
   
    
2. Pin pillow front to the back, right sides together. Trim away any excess tape.
   
    
3. Sew pillow together, stitching just to the left of the basting for the piping using a zipper foot. Leave an 8" opening for turning and stuffing.
   
    
4. Trim corners diagonally. Turn pillow to right side. Slip form into pillow, slip-stitch opening closed.