Patchwork Pillow Project

An Idea as a Handmade Gift – Pillows!

Whenever I can, I try to gift someone I love and care with something I made. There’s just something more about making gifts that just brings me joy and I hope the recipient will also feel the same too. In this post, I will be taking you through the process of me makeing  patchwork pillow covers which hold a special significance – they’re not just another DIY project, but heartfelt gifts for my daughter’s day carer as she embarks on a new chapter in her journey, transitioning from day care to playschool. I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for the love and care she has provided to my daughter over the years, and what better way to do so than with something handmade?

While I could have easily picked up some pretty pillows from the store, I firmly believe that nothing beats the charm and warmth of handmade creations. So, armed with whatever is in my stash, I set out to create something truly unique and special. I did bought the pillow inserts from a local DIY store and with little plan in my head I know I was going to do some figuring out myself. 

Patchwork

Instead of opting for a straightforward sewing project, I decided to embrace the complexity of patchwork. Why? Well, partly because I have a penchant for complicating things, but mostly because I wanted to make the most of the fabrics I had on hand. I had a piece that was just enough for a single cover if I wasn’t going to do any patchwork. AND I wanted two of the exact same covers. So, with a bit of creative ingenuity and a willingness to patch fabrics together, I embarked on a journey that promised both challenges and rewards.

I used a charm pack for this project, I always love using precut fabrics as I love that we can have a variety of prints and cut time cutting! 

Here are some of my favourite online store where I get my fabrics:

• Fat Quarter Shop
• Missouri Star Quilt Company – Use this special link to get 15% off in your cart. 
• Green Fairy Quilts

I am also lucky to be an affiliate to these stores that I love and they’re supporting the content creation here on the blog. So thank you for using my link as it does help me in keeping up with sharing more free tutorials and inspirations here on the blog. 

Navigating Unexpected Twists

As with any creative endeavor, my project didn’t unfold exactly as planned. What was intended to be a quick and simple patchwork project with half-square triangles units turned into a slightly more involved process. My initial oversight in planning the size of the half-square triangles led to some adjustments along the way. However, I embraced these unexpected twists and turned them into opportunities for innovation and growth. You can see how I did all of that in the video HERE>. I recorded the process and it was surely a longer than expected project. What I thought was going to be a short quick afternoon project, needed more than just a couple of hours. Plus, recording the process also slowed me down. But I figured, it will be a fun one to share!

Despite the bumps in the road, the end result surpassed my expectations. The patchwork pillow covers turned out beautifully, each stitch infused with love and care. I couldn’t be happier with the final outcome, and I hope that they bring joy and warmth to my daughter’s day carer as she embarks on this new chapter. In the end, it’s not just about the finished product, but the love and thoughtfulness that went into creating it. Here’s to the power of handmade gifts and the joy they bring to both the giver and the recipient.