Stars A Glow Pillow Tutorial

I have a thing for traditional quilt blocks, there’s just something timeless about the star. I made a Christmas Star quilt and pillow last year, and loved it so much I made this pillow so I could keep stars around all year long. Read on to see how I constructed the block using a 4-at-a-time half square triangle method, along with pillow finishing techniques. I am working on a star quilt pattern as well, that will be coming soon so stay tuned. Let’s jump into making this gorgeous pillow!

The Stars A Glow pillow tutorial features the gorgeous new fabric collection, Wild Haven by Juliana Tipton for Cloud 9 Fabrics, which is now available in my new Shopify store! I still have my Etsy shop, but I am slowly moving everything over to my own website. Thank you so much for supporting my small business, I love fabric and getting to share it with others makes my heart happy!

Star Block Instructions

Pattern Notes

Seam allowances are 1/4 inch unless specified.

Materials

Makes one 18″pillow. Width of fabric (WOF) is assumed to be 42″.

• Color 1: 1/2 yard (includes pillow back)
• Color 2, 3, 4: fat eighth (9″ x 21″) each
• Color 5: 1 fat quarter (18″ x 21″)
• Basic quilting supplies
• Lightweight fusible interfacing: 1/2 yard (20″ wide)
• 22″ x 22″ lining fabric (such as muslin)
• 22″x 22″ batting
• 18″ pillow form

Sample pillow features the fabric collection Wild Haven by Juliana Tipton for Cloud 9 Fabrics.

Step 1 – Cut the fabrics

1. From Color 1, cut the following:
   • 3 – 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ squares
   • 2 – 13″x 18 1/2″(pillow back)
2. From each of Color 2, and 3 fabrics, cut the following:
   • 2 – 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ squares
3. From Color 4, cut the following:
   • 1 – 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ squares
4. From Color 5, cut the following:
   • 2 – 2 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ (borders)
   • 2 – 2 1/2″ x 18 1/2″ (borders)

Step 2 – Sew the half square triangle units

1. Place a 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ square Color 2 on the top of the 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ Color 3 square right sides together and pin in place. Sew a 1/4″ seam around the outside of the square. Cut the square twice from corner to corner diagonally. Press seams toward Color 3. Trim each half square triangle to 4″ x 4″ square.

2. Place a 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ square Color 1 on the top of the 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ Color 2 square right sides together and pin in place. Sew a 1/4″ seam around the outside of the square as you did in the previous step. Cut the square twice from corner to corner diagonally. Press seams open. Trim each half square triangle to 4″ x 4″ square.

3. Place a 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ square Color 1 on the top of the 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ Color 3 square right sides together and pin in place. Sew a 1/4″ seam around the outside of the square as you did in the previous step. Cut the square twice from corner to corner diagonally. Press seams open. Trim each half square triangle to 4″ x 4″ square.

4. Place a 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ square Color 1 on the top of the 6 1/4″ x 6 1/4″ Color 4 square right sides together and pin in place. Sew a 1/4″ seam around the outside of the square as you did in the previous step. Cut the square twice from corner to corner diagonally. Press seams open. Trim each half square triangle to 4″ x 4″ square.

Step 3 – Assemble the pillow top

1. Arrange the half square triangle units in 4 rows as shown. Pin, and sew the 4 half square triangles together in each row, press seams open. Then pin and sew the rows together. Press seams open.

2. Pin and sew the 2 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ Color 5 strips to the left and right of the block. Press toward the borders. Repeat with the 2 1/2″ x 18 1/2″ Color 5 top and bottom borders to complete the pillow top.

Step 4 – Quilt the Pillow Front

1. Create a quilt sandwich with a 22″ square of lining fabric and 20″ square of batting, followed by the pillow top. Baste using your preferred method.

2. Quilt as desired. I straight line stitched my pillow top with a walking foot, and spaced the lines 1/2″ apart using the edge of the foot as a guide.

1. Trim the excess batting and lining so the pillow top measures 18 1/2″ square.

Step 5 – Finish the Pillow

For the back of the pillow I have 2 options for you either an envelope style back with the fabric pieces overlapping on the back of the pillow, or a zippered back. Go here for my blog post on how to sew a zipper into a pillow. Below you’ll find the instructions for the envelope style back.

1. Fuse lightweight stabilizer to the the wrong side of the two pillow back pieces following manufacturers instructions. I like to use a stabilizer, interfacing to give the back of the pillow more structure and longevity. You could also use an upholstery weight fabric or canvas for your pillow back.
2. Press under 1/2 twice along the long edge of the two 13″ x 18 1/2″ pillow back pieces. Sew along the long edges 1/8 away from the double folded edge.

2. With the pillow top facing up layer the two backing pieces on top with right sides facing down toward the pillow top.

3. Sew a 1/2″seam around the edge of the pillow top.

4. Clip the corners, turn your pillow right side out, and push the corners out.
5. Place your pillow insert inside, and your pillow project is complete!

Check out the other pillows in this Pillow of the Month series here.

Happy quilting!