Etched Diamond Quilted Pillow in Jade Ombré Wovens

This is a case of when your wardrobe informs your home décor – ha! This project was entirely unplanned but when a fabric pull is this good you can’t just stop at one, right?! I’m sharing all the details about how this jade ombré Etched Diamond quilted pillow came to be!

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The inspiration behind this colourway

While I may have curated this fabric pull for my best friend’s quilted coat, I also loved this colour combo.

So much so, in fact, that I’ve gone on to make an improv hot water bottle cover for my brother, a travel pet carrier liner for Pips, and now this lovely Etched Diamond pillow.

I don’t know if this happens to you, but while I’m working on a project, I’m often struck by how much I love the trimmings. There’s something about the possibilities those scraps hold that I find very intriguing 😉

And since you’re left with a few leftover half-square triangles after making the Hovea Coat featuring the Etched Diamond Quilt x Hovea Coat Pattern Extension patchwork details, I figured I should put those cuties to good use.

So, I guess it’s no surprise that I had set these aside until I had some time to return to stitch them up!

Good things take time

Here’s what I’ve learned about my creative practice, I’m not the fastest! Things often need to percolate in my mind before I seem to find time to bring them to life. I don’t know if I just need time to process the idea. Or maybe it’s just that I’m trying to take on too much at once.

Whatever the reason, what I’ve learned is that the projects that I feel strongly about eventually get made 😊

And I’m so happy I didn’t give up on this one, as I just adore the combo of the fabrics paired with the texture of the machine quilting.

Pillow details

The quilting

Are you a crosshatch lover? It’s not my go-to quilting motif but I have come to love the texture that it creates.

The only other times that I’ve used a crosshatch design was for my Harvest Falls quilt I made for Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine, and for my toiletries bag. That former was a beast to mark out. That’s one of the things I love most about making cushions is that they’re super small projects which encourage exploring more detailed quilting motifs.

My goal with the quilting was to add texture but also a subtle detail with the thread colour. I didn’t want the stitch work to be the focus, but I didn’t want it to blend in and not be noticed – it’s a fine balance!

This minty jade colour was the perfect option! From afar, the patchwork takes center stage, but when you’re up close and personal you notice the cute stitchwork. Such a fun element to play with!

The pillow backing

I went with an improv backing. Shocker, I know!

What can I say, I do love, not only the freedom I feel when I stitch improvisationally, but it also makes great use of your fabric remnants. I know improv quilting can get a bad rap as being wasteful, however, it’s the number one way I incorporate sustainability into my own quilting practice. Read more in this Myth busted: improv quilting wastes fabric post.

I also love that it gives you two looks in one. The front side makes for more of a detailed geometric statemernt, while the back is more abstract with a bolder colour focus.

The finishing touches

I always find that it’s the small finishing touches that really make your projects sing and feel complete.

Normally when it comes to quilting that subtle finishing detail is the binding, but since I opted for a zipper closure, I focused those details on a metal zipper.

Not only do I feel it makes for a more substantial closure, but it’s a really pretty design element.

I used to be so fearful of working with metal zippers until I challenged myself to just do it! Turns out they’re easier to work with than I thought. Learn how in the How to insert a metal zipper tutorial.

Make it Your Own

To make your own Etched Diamond pillow, here are the materials and notions you’ll need:

• Etched Diamond Pillow Pattern – the square version
• Sprout Wovens
• Linen
• 50wt Aurifil thread for piecing
• 50wt Aurifil Thread for machine quilting
• Sewing machine
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter with these blades
• Ruler – long
• Ruler – short
• Iron
• Wool pressing mat
• Pins
• Small scissors
• Pin cushion
• Erasable marking tool
• Feather pillow insert – these are my fave!

Shop my most used notions here.

The big question now is – where to put this pretty?! She’s currently hanging out on my pink bench, and I love catching sight of her as I walk by the room. It’s reminding me that it really is the small things that bring us joy!

Download your Etched Diamond Pillow Pattern to get started today!

Happy quilting!

xo

Shannon

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