free range children pillow

Last week I posted a tutorial on how to print on fabric and invited you to check back on what I was going to make with my demo. It’s not always wise to take my advice, but in this case it is. Because what I turned my little piece of printed fabric into is no less than amazing. I printed a cute slogan onto a piece of muslin and turned it into a small flanged pillow that makes the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

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supplies needed:

• fabric with printed design + extra fabric
• fabric remnants for pillow back
• pillow stuffing
• sewing machine

step 1 – add border

Cut 4 strips, each 3-4″ wide, of the same fabric used for the printed design. Cut the strips, long enough to create a border around the printed piece. Place the top strip onto the face of the pillow with right sides together and stitch along the edge. Iron seam open.

Place another strip of fabric, with right sides together, to the side of the pillow face and stitch. Press seam open.

Continue with the last two strips in the same fashion, and press all seams open. Trim all sides evenly so that the border strips measure approximately 2 1/2″ wide.

step 2 – pillow back

Sew 3 strips of colorful fabric remnants together to form a piece a bit larger than the pillow front. Press seams open.

Place the pillow front to the pillow back with right sides together, and cut the back the same size as the front. 

Next, stitch the front to the back, leaving a side portion open, as shown below.

Trim seams then turn pillow inside out. Press.

step 3 – create flanged border 

Stitch along the seam lines of the inner front pillow, as shown below, leaving the gap open.

Now top-stitch around the edges of the pillow, as shown below with blue lines, also leaving the gap area open.

step 4 – stuffing

Add stuffing to the inner pillow through the side opening, making sure it is distributed evenly and well into the corners. Stitch the inner cavity closed, then stitch the edge closed.

I can’t decide which side I like best! The back is so darn sweet.

A final word – I can’t wait to gift this pillow to my young friend. She’s the mother of two little boys. On any given day, she can be found helping them finger paint, marching them through mud puddles, or peddling them around town in her bunch bike. And here’s to all the moms of free range children who are making the world a better place.

The biggest compliment is a little share – please pin the photo below!