Raw Edge Applique Daisy Pillow
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.Pillows are always a great way to add a bit of color to a room especially a pillow with some raw edge applique. There are several ways to applique but using a straight stitch is my favorite way.
Raw Edge Applique Daisy Pillow
This is a quilt project that I started a few years ago. The reason it was never finished is because there wasn’t enough contrast between the yellow petals on the daisy flower and the background.
I thought about doing the free motion quilting with orange thread or at least doing one or two lines of orange around the flower but I wasn’t sure I would like it.
The piece was packed away and when I recently went through boxes of unfinished applique quilt projects, I found it and decided it was time to finish it.
Fabric Markers
Have you ever used Fabric Markers? I have had this set of Tulip Fabric Markers for a while and love them. My granddaughters really love using them.
I started with the orange pen and just started coloring in the small petals. It really made a difference!
Maybe it would have been better if I colored the large petals with orange but once I did one small petal….I was committed.
There was a deep yellow that I used to go over the large petals to add a little more color to them. It really helped with the contrast.
Get the Daisy Flower Applique Pillow pattern that includes full-size templates for the pillow and also a bonus smaller size that can be used for other quilt projects.
18-inch Applique Pillow
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- 16-inch pillow insert
- Basic Sewing Tools
- Thread
- Quilt Ruler
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Clover Flower Head Pins
- Binding Clips
- Clapper – excellent for setting seams
- Wool Pressing Mat
- Lighting
Batik fabrics are wonderful for raw edge applique as they don’t fray that much.
Yardage
- 1 yard of cream batik
- 1/8 yard dark yellow – cut 13 large flower petals
- 1/8 yard orange – cut 13 small flower petals
- A scrap of dark red – cut 1 center circle
- 1/8 yard green – cut 2 leaves
- Darker green piece – cut 1 stem
Cut an 18-inch square of the cream batik for the pillow top.
Print the template layout pieces and tape them together, place this behind the cream batik, and use this as the placement of your flower. You could also use a fusing mat which allows you to place the paper design beneath the mat and then layer and fuse your pieces on top. I have one and will have to do a review on it. I love it!
Raw Edge Applique
Raw-edge applique is my favorite way to applique quilt projects. It is fast and easy to do.
This technique uses fusible web like Heat n Bond Lite. There are other brands like Wonder Under, Steam a Seam 2, and Soft Fuse but Heat n Bond Lite is my favorite.
- Trace the applique flower templates to the back of the fusible web. I usually just use a pencil for my tracing
- I have already reversed the leaves and stem for you
- Cut out the pieces leaving a little room around each piece
- Place the rough side of the fusible to the wrong side of your fabric
- Press following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Cut the pieces out
- Remove the backing paper
Using a clear open-toed foot when doing applique makes it easy to see what you are doing. I used my vintage 15-91 Singer sewing machine to do my applique and all of the quilting.
As I mentioned, I prefer straight stitch applique and stitch about 1/8 or 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the pieces using an Schmetz 80/12 needle or Schmetz Jeans needle.
I will usually put a piece of newsprint paper behind my piece before I stitch it but it isn’t usually necessary if you are doing the straight stitch applique. If you do any kind of applique where you go off of the template piece then definitely use something on the back of your piece.
Quilt your pillow
Once the applique is finished, place a layer of batting behind the top and quilt it. I enjoyed doing a free-motion stipple design on this. I added a little bit of veins to the leaves and when I went around the flower petals I stitched right up to the center of the flower to make the flower pop a little.
Get the Daisy Flower Applique Pillow pattern that includes full-size templates for the pillow and also a bonus smaller size that can be used for other quilt projects.
Finishing the pillow
For this pillow, I decided to do an envelope-style pillow back instead of adding a zipper.
Envelope-style pillow back:
Cut two pieces of the print 18″ x 13″ for the pillow back. On each piece fold the one side under ¼” and press.
On one piece fold under another 1” and topstitch it. On the other piece fold under ¼″ and topstitch.
Place the 1″ top stitched piece face down on the pillow top, then place the ¼” top stitched piece face down on top of it. Pin the pieces to the front of the pillow.
Stitch around the pillow with a ¼” seam allowance. Double stitch over the area where the back pieces overlap. This will make the stitches stronger.
Turn the pillow right side out and press. Now all you have to do is add an 18-inch pillow insert. Enjoy your beautiful pillow!
If you are looking for placemats, don’t forget to check out my Midnight Glow placemats tutorial!
Raw Edge Applique Daisy Pillow
Get the Daisy Flower Applique Pillow pattern that includes full-size templates for the pillow and also a bonus smaller size that can be used for other quilt projects.
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- Missouri Star Quilt Co.
- AccuQuilt Deals
- Fat Quarter Shop Daily Deals
- Connecting Threads
- Green Fairy Quilts – Daily Deals
- The Quilt Keeper
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- My Amazon Store for all the quilting things I use and more
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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Connie, I am looking forward to write-up on fusing mat. I haven’t heard of it before. Should help a lot and make life easier. Thanks for all your useful tips!!
WOW, Connie, WOW!!! Thanks. On my next “to-do” list. I’ve have already ordered and received the pattern!!!!!! Really love this..
I love your daisy pillow! I didn’t know about fabric markers so I’ll be looking for those! Mr Mickey looks dapper as always! 😊
Gorgeous Daisy appliqué! Looks so cheerful! Have a great weekend Connie!
Love the idea of the Paint Pens. I often have a fabric that is just a “wee bit off” and that’s the perfect solution! Like toning up a photo! With the raw edge applique you are the master! I take a q-tip and dip it in “Fray Block™” and slide it across the edges. After it dries I might have to shave it a little but after that it stays nice through the laundry. It stays soft and after it’s dry it doesn’t look “wet””Fray Check™” can sometimes dry hard and look wet (we used to use it on runners in our hose! FLASHBACK!
Love the pics of the cats! Has Mr. M. paid any attention to them? He looks very handsome with his new look! Thanks!
I’ll have to checkout Fray Block, I still use Fray Check on mending on Builder Bob’s jeans and different things.
Thanks, Joan Sheppard, for the tip! Would you believe, I never heard of Fray Block? Will have to check it out.
Wow Connie, I love what you’ve done with this! I’ve never tried applique, but want to. I’m pretty new to quilting, but you’ve inspired me to try applique and fabric markers too! Thanks so much.
I’m so glad Andrea! The most important thing is to just have fun!
What a great way to save the daisy! Your raw edge always looks so neat and nice. I don’t like it when I see it messy looking. You are the queen of raw edge Connie!!
Connie,
I really enjoy getting your emails and reading your blog. I feel like I know you, having grown up in southern MN area (Mankato/Fairmont)…. I know live in the northwest part of Mpls, Maple Grove. When you speak of “going to the cities”, are you meaning Mpls/St. Paul?
Looking forward to seeing more of your yard this spring, it looks like you found a great new home.
Love your daisy pillow. Can I ask the name of the fabric maker of the cream batik? It’s not very easy to find the light colors in batiks.
Again, thank you for sharing all your talents.
That turned out really cute. I’ll have to remember that idea. The spring bloom puts a smile on gloomy weather faces.
I love that daisy pillow. That’s how I make my pillow tops. But I use velcro to close it. I fold over 1″ and press than sew on the velcro. This way the cover stays closed. When I have to wash it, just make sure it is velcro together so it doesn’t get full of those pesky threads.
Grandkids can be rough on pillows, so for me I find this helps to keep them from getting torn where the top overlaps the bottom.
That is another great way to finish a pillow Linda!
What a cute daisy pillow! It’s spring – time for daisies…and daffodils…and dogwoods! LOL I love the envelope method for pillows. My granddaughter recently learned to make crazy quilt blocks and I taught her how to make it into a pillow. We used the envelope method, but added some snaps to it. I finally got her a pillow form and we put it in on Monday. She loved it. I think crazy quilting might be her thing! LOL It’s on my blog here if you’d like to see what she did! https://songbirddesigns.blog/february-color-challenge-block-and-squirrels/
I love that look on Mr. Mickey’s face on your newsletter. He’s like, WHY am I in this fence? He’s a cutie pie.
Snaps would also work great Brenda, thanks!
Sure glad you finished this pillow. It’s so pretty now.
Good to see a new picture of Mr. Mickey but he looks sad. Don’t his ears perk at all?
Am so happy you like your new home. It does take awhile to get settled. Looks like you are well on your way.
Enjoy reading your newsletters with pictures, including your updated one.
I love your Daisy applique and the Envelope pillow cover is my favorite way to do a pillow cover.
Thanks Lorena!
Your flower looks great. The quilting always impresses me.
If only I had read this yesterday! I did my first raw edge, skips everywhere! Should’ve used a different needle and put “newsprint” behind. Ah well, not to try free motion quilting.
Enjoy your land and yard work.
Keep trying Jeanne, raw edge applique can really be fun!
What a clever way to transform this project. It’s a beautiful pillow!!
Thanks Sara, I’m so glad I was able to save it!