Nite Owls Pillow Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.Today I have a fast and easy tutorial for a quilted pillow that has cute owls and flying geese blocks in it. I couldn’t wait to play work with a cute bundle of Nite Owls fabric by Judy Hansen. I don’t know about you but…..I love owls…..especially cute ones!
Nite Owls Quilted Pillow Tutorial
18″ x 18″
This tutorial is for a fast and easy 18-inch pillow using the following colors.
I received a fat quarter bundle of all the fabrics in the line and also a 1/2 yard piece for my pillow back.
Focal print: Owls – ½ yard for front squares and the back of the pillow
Fat quarters – dark orange, light orange, yellow, light purple, and dark purple
Cutting Instructions:
Owl print fat quarter
Cut (5) 6 ½” x 6 ½” squares
Light Orange print
Cut (4) 2 ½” strips x WOF
Subcut (24) 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares
Dark Orange print, Light purple print, and yellow print
Cut (1) 2 ½” x WOF strip from each color
Subcut (4) 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles
Dark Purple print
Cut (1) 6 ½” x WOF
Subcut (8) 1 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles
Sew all seams with a ¼” seam allowance
Each block will be made with 3 easy to make flying geese sections. Start with (6) light orange 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares and mark a diagonal line on them. In the following photo I am using the yellow rectangle, do the same with the dark orange and light purple. Place the light orange square on the rectangle.
Stitch on your marked line, trim, and press. Then continue adding the other square.
Directional fabrics can be tricky. Sometimes it helps to fold your square back and lay in on the rectangle to make sure the orientation is correct before stitching.
Each block will have 3 different color flying geese sections and also 2 of the dark purple strips.
Sew your flying geese sections together and then add the dark purple 1 ½” x 6 ½” strips to the sides.
Make four finished blocks.
Layout your blocks as shown below with the owl print squares and sew the rows together.
Here is the pieced pillow top.
When I got my pillow top all pieced I realized something didn’t look right…..I had planned to have the dark orange flying geese blocks.I actually like this better but……I wasn’t going to rip it all out as it is still cute.
I added an 18″ x 18″ square of batting and backing to my pillow top and then quilted it.
I also did an envelope-style closure on the back.
- Cut one piece 19″ x 14″ and the other 19″ x 11″ for my overlap.
- Press under ¼” on one of the 19″ sides of each piece and then press another 1″ and topstitch.
- Watch the direction of the owl print.
- Over lap the pieces and place right side down on top of the pillow top and then sew all around the piece.
Here is the finished pillow. I have a granddaughter who loves purple and owls! I’m sure this will go to her house.
I just had to include this photo……you can’t tell the size and if I didn’t know better……I would think it was a pin cushion!
I hope you enjoyed the fast and easy tutorial for this cute pillow. This is an 18-inch pillow.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please see the full disclosure here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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I've made one pillow and have inspiration for several more. Hopefully, I'll get a couple done this winter.
I've never made a pillow but yours is awesome. Love, love, love all the owls!
I'd love to make this pillow!
Yes, I have made a quilted pillow. It is a wonderful way to use eye-catching fabrics!
I've never made a quilted pillow, but I have made a quilted bedspread.
I just made my first pillows a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it. I like making mini quilts but don't really have a place to hang them so making them into pillows is much more practical. Thanks!
I love making quilted pillows. And those owls are just adorable!
I've made a few but they are well worn by now. Time to make new ones!
Too cute! I have made a quilted pillow or two in my time. I just ordered owl fabric for a baby quilt request..this line is SO much cuter!
What fun fabric and such a cute pillow! Pillows are fun to make and are great gifts that can be used in just about any room in the house! Porch or patio too!
I made 7 large ones with ruffle for my couch and 4 small ones for decoration. They turned out great and I shocked myself that they look so good..so..non-handmade!
I have made quite a few quilted pillows! This on with owls is awesome… I love that fabric!
Well, I have made a hand-pieced block (Texas star with a Texas applique in the middle) that will make a beautiful pillow, and I've bought the fabric to make the pillow back, and the pillow insert but it is still a UFO, sadly. Need to "get 'er done!"
I have made a couple of quilted pillows using small soft prints with a solid back.
I have never made a pillow but I do have a pin cushion that looks like one that a friend made for me.
I've made several quilted pillows. It's how I practice with quilt designs, although all with a walking foot, no free motion yet!
Oops. Sorry had to delete the first comment.
LOVE this pillow Connie! Really like the way you separated the Owls by the quilt blocks. Looks great!
I've made a few pillows in the past, but none were quilted and nowhere as nice looking as those you make.
Yes, I have made several pillows. My grandkids like to pile them up and lay on them.
Yes! I love making pillows! It's a great way to try a new block out or fabric. I use them in my home and change them up frequently.
Yes, I have made pillows. But it has been awhile and I think I need some new ones. Thanks for the tutorial
I've never made a quilted pillow but after seeing how cute these owls are, I am going to have to make one. Thanks for the giveaway!
Quilted pillow shams make great gifts and I have made a few:)
I like your hooty pillow, especially that the yellow landed in the middle!
I've quilted 1 pillow and intend to do more. My granddaughter loves owls, and these would not be an exception.
I have only made a few quilted pillows. Love your pillow, the fabrics are great!
your pillow is wonderful. I just love those owls. I just finished four civil war pillows for our son and daughter in law. My husband and I made them a civil war quilt (cv war pattern blocks from Barbara Brackmans book "Civil War Sampler" and cv war fabrics) for their wedding. they are huge cv war re-enactors. so since I had four blocks that didn't make it into the quit, I quilted them into pillows for Christmas. It was a lot of fun. my first pillows actually. in fact I had so much fun making the pillows I made my sister a pillow for a hostess gift for hosting Thanksgiving at her house this year.
I often make quilted pillow tops – they are a fast and fun project!
Comment #2!
Loved Inspired by Fabrics's web site. It's a great resource for inspiration.
I looked at some of the other projects they have too for the same fabric.
Cute pillow! I have made quilted pillows as gifts–have yet to make one to keep. Thanks for a chance to win this cute fabric!
Very cute pillow. And very cute fabrics. I don't remember having ever made a quilted pillow but I have made lots of pillows.
I do follow Inspired by Fabric by email and left a comment on their site also. They always share great tutorials and show great fabric as inspirations! Thank you again for sharing your tutorials and inspiring ideas! Have a wonderful creative day!
I have made several quilted pillows; they make wonderful gifts for anyone and usually go together fairly quick. I really enjoyed the tutorial on Inspired by Fabric and especially the fussy cut owls; they just stood out so perfectly. Thanks for sharing and the opportunity to win this great fabric (I love owls). Have a wonderful creative day!
I visited and commented! Thanks again Connie!
I have made several pillows. However they have all been given away! The kidlets I watch like to play with my throw pillows and think its their job to remove them from couch and chair as soon as they arrive! So I wait to recover those till I no longer watch kids! But I love that pillows are a quick satisfying finish!!
I commented on Inspired by Fabric – on your tutorial post of course.
I have made a couple of quilted pillows.
I have made several quilted pillows.
I left a comment on Inspired, great tutorial.
I already receive Inspired's E-mails.
I love this fabric. Yes I make lots of pillows.
Yes. One of first quilting project.
I left a comment at Inspired by Fabric.
I have made several quilted pillows.
I left a comment at Inspired by Fabric.
Fabulous way to use large scale novelty prints. I love novelty prints, but have trouble using them for anything other than tote bags. Now I know what to do with my novelty scraps! Thank you for sharing such a great idea!
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
And I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
We have odd shaped pillows on our small couch, and I make seasonal covers for all of them. It's better than buying new pillows!
I wrote a comment on Inspired by Fabric's blog post too!
I have made several pillow covers, but none of them have been quilted ones! Yes, I do have some on my to-do list because I love the look!
I visited the tutorial and left a comment for you!
Sandy A
I have not made a quilted pillow, but I have made a quilt block in to a pillow. Love your pillow, too!
Sandy A
I did check out your excellent tutorial. This is a fun and fabulous pillow. Thank you as always Connie for sharing your excellent style. Happy OWLoween…
Commented at Inspired by Fabric. That's a great tutorial, Connie.
I have made a couple of quilted pillows. Some have embroidery aspects to them too.
I left a comment on Inspired By Fabric.
lin.web.28 at gmail dot com
I've made lots of pillows over the years. Your owl pillow is adorable!
lin.web.28 at gmail dot com
Not yet, I have one planned as a gift.
I left a comment on inspired by fabric!
I have made one before- only one! Yours is sweet,
I left a comment on Inspired by Fabric blog. :o)
I've made a few over the years, but nothing fancy.
I left a comment on Inspired by Fabric's blog. 🙂
craftyccain@gmail.com
I have not made a quilted pillow yet, but am wanting to make a bunch. We are making a playroom for the grandkids in our basement and want to fill it with pillows. 🙂
craftyccain@gmail.com
I left a comment at Inspired by Fabrics too 🙂
Thanks for chance to win this Give-a-way too!
LOOOOVE your Pillow! (thanks for sharing the Tutorial too) I have made a few quilted pillows…but very simple…and couldn't hold a candle to yours! Yours is AWESOME!
I left a comment on your post at Inspired by Fabric as well.
I have made several quilted pillows lately. I have used complex paper pieced blocks for the fronts and quilted them heavily. I don't usually do a lot of dense quilting on bigger projects but for something as small as a pillow it was manageable and fun! Your pillow is so cute, I just want to make my own!
I commented at Inspired by Fabric
Yes! my family love them!
I'm not much of a pillow person but really love your owl pillow. I love the colors you chose to go with it. Thanks for the pattern.
Your pillow is very cute, I've never made one, but plan to do so.
I jumped over and left a comment. thanks
Very cute! I have quilts of all sizes in the past 25 years, but no pillows.
cork@pa.rr.com
Hi Connie
I've never made a pillow.
I've visited and commented on your post at Inspired by Fabric's blog.
Yes, I've also made them for my daughters for their houses. Thanks for the cute pattern,
I have visited and commented on the Inspired by Fabric page as well.
Quilted pillows are my favorite quilting projects — I have three finished and in the wings for Christmas gift giving.
I visited the Fabric page. Thanks for another chance to win your blog candy.
I have not made a pillow but I have made a few quilts for my grandkids. I only sew in the winter because in the other seasons I love being out of doors.
I left a comment and I follow them on bloglovin
Yes I have made a quilted pillow before.
commented on Inspired by Fabric, good job. 24Tangent@gmail.com
Haven't made a quilted pillow but did make a cross-stitch pillow. 24Tangent@gmail.com
I commented on Inspired by Fabric!
What a sweet pillow you made. Love the fabrics. Thanks for sharing the giveaway!
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
I have helped my granddaughter and grandson (ages 8 and 6) make quilted pillows. They picked out fabrics and I helped them sew and quilt the pillow. Lots of fun.
I commented on the inspired by fabric blog.
I love making pillows and have made a few for christmas presents. Love yours!
I commented on IbF. One of the first things I ever "quilted" was a pillow, made from a fabric that I layered with batting and backing, then stitched around the large peacock print. Gave it to my new MIL 45 years ago for our first married Christmas and she still had it when she passed away.
Commented on their blog
Have made many
I left a comment at Inspired by Fabric; I follow them as well as you 😉
Oh yes, I have made many many quilted pillows! The next on the list is actually two huge ones, one each for my dogs. Their beds need sprucing up!
I commented on Inspired by Fabric :o)
cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com
I do make lots of quilted pillows and think your owl pillow is just so cute Connie…love how the yellow flying geese highlight the owls in the center of the pillow!!!
cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com
I left a comment on Inspired By Fabric's blog. Thanks.
Cute. I've made a bunch of pillows. The owls are cute!
I left my comment on Inspired By Fabric.
Love the combination of the Flying "Owls" with the print. This is a cute line of fabrics. Great tutorial. Thanks Connie.
I visited and commented on Inspired by Fabric. The is an wonderful giveaway as I love owls and have had the opportunity to photograph a few.
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
I commented on Inspired by Fabric
What a cute pillow and such fun whimsical fabric. Great giveaway, but truly just commenting – please don't enter me in your giveaway.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal.com
Yes, I've made several. Great to change out your decor with not a huge investment of money or time.
I have made several quilted pillows. Love the fabric and your pillow.
I commented on Inspired by Fabric!
I love pillows, they are quick and easy to make. Yours is colorful and fun !
I've made a few quilted pillows. They're quick and easy to do. Love the owl fabric.
Okay, I left a comment at Inspired by Fabric, too. I never do this; it must be because it is raining today. 😀
This is a really cute pillow. I've made quilted pillows several times and they are fun to do. I happen to have a piece of owl fabric I bought quite some time ago for the simple reason that it was so cute. I might use your tutorial and turn it into a pillow. It won't be like yours, but I think it would still be cute.
I left a comment on Inspired by Fabrics
That is a really adorable fabric line. Thank you for offering this giveaway.
left a comment on Inspired by fabric
Have made lots of quilted pillows!
I commented at Inspired by Fabric.
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com
If I've remembered correctly, I've made 7.
jen dot barnard at btinternet dot com
I visited Inspired by Fabric and left a comment.
Just checked out your tutorial. love the pillow and the instructions look like it would be easy to make. thanks for the chance to win
I love to make quilted pillows!! I like to make them to decorate for all the holidays.
I haven't made a quilted pillow. thanks for the chance to win this fabric. Love owls
What an adorable pillow!!! Those owls are too cute!
no I haven't made a quilted pillow. Thanks for the chances to win this fabric. Truly love owls.
I follow Inspired By Fabric on Bloglovin. I love all their wonderful ideas and fabrics!
Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Love your pillow! I have been following along on the hop and everything is just so cute!
I made a quilted pillow last year to March a quilt I gave my mom. I really should make more; they are so quick and easy.
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
I love your pillow! I've never made a quilted pillow, but I need to try one. Thanks for the giveaway!
I left a comment. Thanks for the chance!
Just left anote over at Inspired by fabric too!
I made a few, but sure want to make more! Yours is so cute! Thanks so much for sharing!
I left a note at Inspired by Fabric!
Ooooo those owls are a hoot!! 🙂
Yup made lots of pillows – livingroom is full of them! Yours is very nice!
I have made a quilted pillow. My sewing skills are not bad but my quilting skills are horrible! LOL
Hi,yes I have! They make such sweet Gifts!
Thank You for your blog+giveaway!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com
Hi, left "Inspired By Fabric" a note!
Thank You for a neat giveaway!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
I visited and commented on the Inspired by Fabric blog.
I made a quilted pillow a long time ago. Might consider making some new ones. Your owl pillow is cute!
Really cute pillow – I know my little granddaughter would agree.
I commented at Inspired By Fabric…
I made a Quilted Teacup with Rose Pillow..I Love your Owl Fabric!
Connie, that's the sweetest little pillow! I just love it! I've made a few, but nothing as cute as that! XO
Darling fabric and you can never go wrong with flying geese blocks. This made a very cute pillow. Will one of your granddaughters call "dibs" on this one?
Commented at Inspired By Fabric.
You know I always look forward to seeing your newest creations and this one is no exception. It's so cute and I have made a quilted pillow or ten before.
I commented on Inspired by Fabric!
Yes, lots of them-they make great gifts!
I love looking at everyone else's small projects (pillows, mug rugs, table runners, etc) however, I have never made a pillow or any other 'small' project. My first quilt project was a lap quilt and that is all I have made since. Although, I do have plans for a few bigger quilts. Thanks for the chance, such a cute line of fabric.
dragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com
I commented on Inspired by Fabric.
senstrings at yahoo dot com
I visited Inspired by Fabric.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
I just visited inspired by fabric …They have a great tutorial on how to make the pillow …..happyness04431@yahoo.com
No i haven't made a quilted pillow but would make a nice quilted lap blanket….happyness04431@yahoo.com
Actually I made a couple of Princess pillows for my Granddaughters and I know they'd love these owls too.
I visited Inspired by Fabric and made a comment there.