Patchwork Pillows

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From your dark fabric, cut out one 4-1/2" square and 20 triangles. Then snip twelve 2-1/2" squares and 20 more triangles from the light-colored material. Now arrange all 53 cloth pieces in the pattern shown in Photo 6.

Try to visualize the design as a geometric collection of 32 smaller squares clustered around one large block. Join the 40 triangles into 20 small quadrangles (using the same method you employed for constructing the bicolor blocks in the Eight Pointed Star design), and then group the shapes into nine large squares . . . eight of which, you'll see, are composed of four smaller blocks, with the ninth being the 4-1/2" dark square. When you've finished your arrangement, sew the 12 light and 20 dark/light squares into eight groups of four blocks. Start by matching each small quadrangle with one of its neighbors (see Photo 7) and then connecting the two pieces along the appropriate edge.

Pair off the resulting 16 rectangles to yield the eight large blocks, as depicted in Photo 8, and stitch the components together along their longer sides.

Sew the nine squares into three strips, to obtain the sections shown in Photo 9.

Finally, to complete your patchwork masterpiece, connect the bands into the single large block that's illustrated in Photo 10.

FRAMING THE FABRIC

Although it's not a necessity, a border can do a splendid job of highlighting your patchwork design. To add a "frame" to the geometric pattern, measure the completed block, and trim off any crooked edges to insure that all four sides are of the same length.

Find a suitable fabric and cut four long strips, all of equal width: Now, snip two of these bands to the exact length of one of the patchwork's sides. Then cut the other two strips so that they measure the length of one side plus twice the width of the border (for example, if your block measures 12" X 12" and you're adding a 2" border, you'll need two bands that measure 2" X 12" and two that will be 2" X 16 ").

Once you've cut the border ribbons, sew the shorter strips to opposite (parallel) sides of the square, as shown in Photo 11.

Stich the longer bands to the other sides, as illustrated in Photo 12.

FROM PATCHWORK

If you've followed either of the above sets of directions, you should have a gorgeous geometric block that's just begging to be transformed into a patchwork pillow. To start the metamorphosis, take out your muslin (which will serve as the cushion's lining) and find a complementary fabric to serve as the pillow's backing. Using the completed block as your pattern, cut out two squares of muslin and one square of backing material.

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