This pillow is a nice project to make as a gift.

 

 

Tote Bag: 12" x 12"

White Background Fabric - Fat Quarter
Backing Fabric for Initial - 15" x 15"
Black Tone on Tone Fabric - Fat Quarter
Black & White Checkers or other graphic print - Fat Eighth
Favourite Colour* Tone on Tone Fabric - ½ yard

Cotton Batting - 15" x 15"

1. Begin with making & quilting the Initial Block Tutorial, as instructed here (Steps #1 to #3 only).

 

2. Trim the quilted block to ½" beyond the block edge, through all the layers. Make sure it's square.

 

3. Measure the trimmed quilted block.
Mine turned out to be 11¾".

 

4. Draw a line, using a mechanical pencil, ¼" beyond the block edge.
This will be your guide, to align the raw edge of your binding along in step #7 below.

 

5. Cut 2-11¾" (your pillow width) x 9" for the pillow backing and 2-2½" x width of fabric strips of the favourite colour tone-on-tone fabric, for the binding.

To prepare the pillow back pieces, turn under the raw edge ½", along one side of each backing piece. Press.

Turn under ½" again, press and machine stitch across.

6. Lay the quilted block face down on a flat surface.
Place one pillow back piece right side facing up, on the quilting block, aligning the raw edges on the right and the stitched edge across the center.

Place the remaining pillow back piece, right side facing up, aligning the raw edges on the left side, and the stitched edge across the center, overlapping the right side backing piece.

Pin in place around all sides.

7. Add the binding [Binding], around the edge of the pillow cover, through all the layers, including the backing pieces.
Use the drawn line as your guide for the binding edge, as mentioned in step #4 above.
Double stitch over the pillow back edges, in the center.

 

 

8. Turn the folded binding edge to the back of the pillow and stitch in place as instructed.

 

9. Place a 12" pillow form inside, through the back opening.