Red White & Bloom! Patriotic Pillow Tutorial

Here is the tutorial for the stunning Red, White & Bloom Pillow that I posted over at over at Shakin Together, just in case you missed it the first time around!

Today I have a super simple sewing project for you!

A patriotic pillow, perfect for your 4th of July party or to give as a hostess gift.

 Although it looks difficult it's easy enough for beginners, and with an end result that will make your guests wonder where you bought that awesome pillow!

To start you'll need:

Cut:

• (5) 41/2 in. blue squares
• (4) 2 1/2 in. blue squares
• (2) 2 1/2  x 10 1/2 in. red strips
• (1) 2 1/2  x 16 1/2 in. red strip
• (1) 2 1/2  x 10 1/2 in. white strip
• (1) 2 1/2 x 16 1/2 in. white strip
• (1) 10 1/2 X 16 1/2 rectangle for backing (I used white)

Plus: 9 white buttons,  stuffing, basic sewing supplies

Begin by folding your larger blue squares into an origami flower, 

(Check out our easy tutorial here for the folding technique!!)

Next arrange your folded flowers and smaller squares into 3 rows of 3, alternating the flowers and plain squares.

Sew each square in the row, then sew all three rows together as pictured below.

Press well between each step!

You've made a 9 patch!

Next sew your short strips together, alternating red and white.

Sew your 9 patch block to your red and white strips,

then add your longer white and red strips to the bottom.

Yay! You've made a flag!

Go ahead and open your flowers up and sew a button to the center of each one, also sew a button to the center of each plain square. Fold flower petals back down.

Sew your backing piece Right Sides Together with your flag, leaving an opening at the bottom for turning.

Trim your corners and turn your pillow right side out.

(Give it a good press - a proper press takes your project from "Home made" to "Wow! You made that?!")

Stuff it up and hand stitch the opening closed, don't forget to open all your petals out!

Now stand back and admire your awesome handy work, not bad for a quick afternoon project!

The origami flowers really up the wow factor on this pillow, but if you're not up for folding just substitute the (5) 4 1/2 inch blue squares with 2 1/2 inch squares, easy peasy!

 Thanks lovlies, have a wonderful 4th of July!

Don't forget to enter our Bow Pleat Bag Pattern Giveaway Here!