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La France Rose Quilted Pillow

This beautiful quilted pillow features fabric of four different colors and the
La France Rose embroidery design in the photo-stitch technique.

For the project we used white, red, green and blue fabrics. For the backing we used blue fabric and pale blue fabric for the binding.
For the batting and stabilizer we used polyester craft felt.
You will also need either stuffing or a pillow shape about 14"-15" square.

Cutting:

For the front panel of the pillow:

Out of white fabric cut 8 squares measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2";

Out of blue fabric, cut
4 strips measuring 3" x 8 1/2" and
4 squares measuring 6 1/2" x 6 1/2";

Out of green fabric, cut
4 strips measuring 2" x 5 1/2" and
4 squares measuring 2 5/8" x 2 5/8".

Out of red fabric, cut
4 strips measuring 2" x 6" and
4 squares measuring 2 5/8" x 2 5/8".

For the back panel of the pillow, cut a square measuring 18" x 18".

Out of polyester craft felt, cut 2 squares measuring 18" x 18".

Assembly of the Top:

Note: All seam allowances are 1/4". Please don't forget to press each seam immediately after you make it.

Part I

Take the blue 3" x 8 1/2" strips and red 2 5/8" x 2 5/8" squares.

Position all strips face up. Place the squares, face down on the left end of the strips.

With a graphic pencil and a ruler draw a diagonal from the upper left corner to the lower right corner. Topstitch along the line.

Cut the excess fabric with seam allowance 1/4". Unfold the corner.

Take four white 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares, four green 2" x 5 1/2" strips and the red-and-blue strips you just made. Sew them together as shown in the diagram below.

Using a straight-edge and a rotary cutter, trim the piece along a diagonal as shown below:

You should get a total of 4 such parts.

Part II

To make the second block, first take the blue 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" squares and green 3" x 3" squares.

Position the blue squares, face up. Place the green squares, face down, to the opposite corners of the blue square. Align the edges.

Draw a diagonal as shown. Stitch along the diagonal.
Cut away the access fabric. Open the corner and press.

Sew together the pieces you just made, the red 3" x 5 1/2" strips and the white 4 1/2" squares as shown in the diagram below:

Use a straight edge and rotary cutter to cut from the lower left corner of the white square to the upper red corner of the red strip. Then cut again from the lower right corner of the blue square to the upper left corner of the blue square. See diagram below.

The Blocks:

Using the first and the second parts, sew four blocks:

Sew the blocks together:

Embroidery:

Spread the pieced top over polyester craft felt square (18" x 18"). Hoop the central part and embroider the La France Rose.

Take out of the hoop. Pin both layers together.

Quilting:

Place the second square of polyester craft felt on the working table. Spread the fabric square for the back panel over it. Pin both layers together.

Quilt both the front and the back panels in a free motion style. Remove the pins while quilting.

When finished, press the panels with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Trim both panels so that they are of the same size!

Finishing:

Place the back panel face down, and cover with the front panel face up. Align all edges. Pin them together. Sew them together along the edges with seam allowance 1/4". Leave an opening about 10"-12" long.

Through the opening insert a pillow form. Sew the opening closed.

Finish the raw edges with binding. The pillow is ready!