Rocket Ship Pillow Tutorial ...

This is really not like me ... 4 posts in 10 days! So I won't bore you for too long ;). As with the Flower Garden Pillow I have included the tutorial with this post. The applique pattern pieces are in PDF format and you fill find a link to them in the tutorial. I hope you find both of the pillow tutorials useful I've enjoyed making them and giveaways are always fun. I must say though that the Rocket Ship is my favorite!

So who won the pillow??? Kim from Brigantia Designs.

Congratulations Kim. Email me your address and I'll pop it in the mail and it will make it's way to you in Scotland!

Before we jump into the tutorial here's a little peak at what I've been working on this past week ...

I'll be back on Saturday for my Blogaversary!!!!!

Rocket Ship Pillow

This pattern, for the most part, uses fusible raw edge appliqué and the pillow top has been machine quilted. This doesn’t mean that you’re locked into using these methods. You might prefer to finish your appliqué edges with a machine blanket stitch and leave your pillow top as a plain piece of fabric with no batting or quilting. The pillow is secured with two large self covered buttons, alternatively you might prefer to use a zip or ties. Choose a method that you feel comfortable with.

Please remember that this pattern and appliqué design is intended for your own personal use only and should not be used for profit or sale.

What you need...

18” x 18” appliqué background fabric square (front)

20 ½ ”piece of spotted fabric for front borders & pillow back – cut as follows

            20½” x 18 ½ “

            20 ½” x 12“

            18” x 1 ¾ “ strips x2 (front border)

            20 1/2 “ x 1 ¾ “ strips x2 (front border)

22” x 22” square of fabric for front panel lining

Various scraps of blue, orange, green & yellow fabric totaling approximately 1 fat quarter for appliqué shapes

8”         coordinating stripe for binding – this will allow 3 x 2 ½ “  strips for the binding providing you with ample excess for matching of stripes

22” x 22” piece of batting – try and use one that has a high loft to ensure that your finished appliqué has a full ‘puffy’ appearance.

Fusible web – I use a fusible that leaves a tacky surface on the rear of the appliqué shape making auditioning the appliqué shapes a breeze. In this project I have used Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 in Australia it can be sourced from OzQuilts. I only discovered this product recently and have used it on I (heart) Pink & Oh Christmas Tree and I have been very happy with it. It leaves an almost pefect finish on the raw edges, it doesn't gum up my needle and isn't too 'hard' when finished. 

x3        30mm self cover buttons

Scissors

Fine tip Permanent marking pen - use a pressing sheet when you iron over the marked fusible paper if you  are using the Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 as the ink still tends to lift on this product

Spray Baste – I have only been using spray baste for a short time and have only used it on small quilts so far. If I try it on a larger quilt I think that I would still do some pinning ... mainly because I’m a control freak!

Pins & needles, rotary cutter, quilting ruler & cutting mat

Iron

Light box – not essential

Darning foot and a sewing machine capable of lowering the feed dogs

Walking Foot

Quilting gloves

Method

Make front pillow panel

1. Attach the two short border lengths to the sides of the center front panel. Press seams toward the blue fabric. Attach the two longer border lengths to the other sides. Press seams toward the blue fabric.

Appliqué

2. Download the applique shapes and print them out ready for use. Always follow the manufactures directions regarding the use of your fusible web. Trace the appliqué shapes onto the backing paper of the fusible web using a permanent marker ensuring that you leave adequate space between your shapes to allow them to be separated while still leaving a small margin around each of the shapes. You will require 3 stars and one of each of the rest of the appliqué shapes.

3. Separate all of the shapes and select the colour combinations that you intend to use. Adhere the fusible to the rear of the fabric following the manufactures instructions. Cut out the shapes & remove the backing paper revealing the tacky surface of the fusible. Using the photograph of the quilt as a guide roughly set out the appliqué shapes. Do not spend a lot of time on this task as you are likely to move them a bit before they are finally ironed into place. 

4. Make a quilt sandwich with the pillow top, batting square and lining fabric using spray baste – be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

To complete the appliqué edges;

5. Change your machine foot to a free motion foot and drop your feed dogs. Select a top & bobbin thread to complement the shape you will be working on. Begin by lowering your needle into the quilt an inch or so from the shape. Raise the needle and pull on the top thread pulling the bobbin thread through to the top. Lower and raise the needle again temporarily securing the two threads on the top of the quilt. Slide your quilt to your intended starting point and lower your needle. Free motion stitch close to the edges of all of the appliqué shapes stitching over each area at least twice. Move slowly if you are trying to achieve a precise result. Alternatively if you are looking for a more ‘sketch’ like finish move a little faster and don’t worry about keeping the rows of stitching together. 

Tip: Take several stitches close together at the start and finish points of each appliqué shape. This will secure the start & finish points allowing you to cut the threads at the quilt surface eliminating the need to bury threads.

6. Using a walking foot - stitch in the ditch between the center panel and the borders. Baste around the edge of the pillow top ¼” from the edges.

7. Once you have finished this process complete the background quilting. I used an all over spiral quilting pattern.  

If you are new to machine quilting and would like to give it a go my best advice to you is to do a class! Other than this practice before you start on a scrap section of quilt sandwich but most of all don't get hung up on the machine quilting! It doesn't need to be perfect no one will notice! The pillow is for someone you love ... they won't be judging you ... and if they do don't make them anything ever again ;). 

Completing the pillow back

8. On the larger of the two pieces of fabric fold over a hem of ½ “ on one of the long sides and press. Fold over further  3“ and press. Secure the hem using a straight stitch close to the edge of both folds.

9. On the smaller of the two pieces of fabric fold over a hem of ½ “ on one of the long sides and press. Fold over further  3“ and press. Secure the hem using a straight stitch close to the edge of both folds.

10. On the smaller of the two back sections mark points at 5 ¼ “, 10 ¼“ &  15 ¼“ along the hem. In addition to this mark ¾ “ up from the edge of the hem. Make button holes at each of these three points.

11. Position the pillow top, right side up on top of the pillow front with wrong sides facing each other. Adjust the pillow back so the the smaller section overlaps the larger piece. Bind the pillow using the bias strip as you would normally bind a quilt finishing with a mitered seam.You can find my instructions to help with this here ...

12. Make the three self cover buttons according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a water-soluble pen mark the lower point of each button holes on the larger piece of the pillow back.  Fix buttons to these points.

Finished!   

I hope you enjoy making the pillow!

Kellie

Comments

[periwinkle]

congratulations Kim , lucky thing. Looking forward to seeing what you are working on Kellie!! Those tuts must have taken you ages.. I'm doing my Blogversary on the 9th - don't forget :-)
Lisa x

[Jodie]

Wow ! Tutorials are so much work and yours are always spot on.

[Tania - Jet Designs]

Love it Kellie - I will be linking your flower pillow tutorial in my blog this week and I have added you to my fav blogs - Cheers - keep up the great designs

[sue]

I really do love the rocket ship pillow too and it is so hard to find great things for boys, although it is a lot better than 15 years ago when I found it really hard to buy things for my son. I love both patterns and shall show you my progress once I get a chance to start them. Thanks for sharing both ideas with us.

[Veronica]

Thank you so much for your tutorials.
Your work is so inspiring!
Veronica

[soo]

Thanks for the tutorials Kellie! The pillows are just gorgeous, anyone would love to receive one of these!

[Lisa]

Boo hoo, I didn't win! Lucky Brigantia Designs! I adore your work, Kellie. Keep showing us more and more beautiful things please.

[Lucy Locket-Pocket]

Brilliant! Thank you!

Lucy x

[Manuela]

Thanks for the great tutorials Kellie

[Irene]

Thank you Kellie for the tutorial and for answering my questions conserning fusible web and basting spray. Thank you and have a great day! I can hardly wait for your post on Saturday... I admit, I have become addicted to your site!

[Janet]

Thanks for another wonderful tutorial! I have been using the Lite Steam-A-Seam for a couple of years and I love it too as the edges don't fray.

[Sherrie Letzter]

Thanks so much Kellie for the wonderful tutorial!

[Christine]

Thanks for the tutorial your work is beautiful. I was wondering what type of machine you have, I am thinking about getting a new one?

[Pikku-Kettu]

Thank you again! I can't wait to see the whole clown! :)

[Louise]

This is fantastic, thank you so much!

[Leanne]

Your work is lovely so bright and cheerful.

[upstatelisa]

boohoo! I am soooo far behind on my blog reading that I missed all those contests!!!! Love all your work!@!!!!!!
Happy new year!

[Lynn T]

Love it!! You are the best! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I already started on the flower pillow and will make one of these next.

Lynn

[Jo]

Thanks Kellie, your instructions are so very clear to those of us new to or getting back into sewing, much appreciated : ) I'm hoping to really get into making most of my gifts this year and these are going to be so much fun, thank you

[Hayley]

Congrats to Kim, lucky duck. Thanks again for the great tutorial Kellie. I must say your FMQ is absolutely awesome!

[Fiona]

My 6 yr old son has been pestering me to learn to sew these school holidays and when I saw this I knew it was perfect for him to 'help' with. We are just about to begin. Thanks!

Fiona. NZ.

[bricolette]

Thank you for your tutorial ... I am in awe of your models and colors you use ... beautiful! excuse me for my English but I have translated the text with google

[Caryn]

Blast off! Wow love the cushion, it's great to see something for the boys.