• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Sewing Patterns
    • Costumes Sewing Tutorials
    • Apparel Sewing Patterns
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly Sewing Projects
    • Hand Embroidery Patterns
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Block Patterns
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Quilt Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Quilts » Free Quilt Patterns

    Improv Patchwork Easy Going Pillow Pattern

    Updated: Sep 13, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 1 Comment

    If you’ve ever wanted to try an improvisational quilt piecing technique, then I have the perfect project for you today! Amy Ball is teaching you how to make an improv quilt block pillow. The best part is that this project is a bit of a “hybrid” project. Part improv piecing and part traditional piecing, so if you’re more accustomed to traditional quilt piecing, this will help you to “baby step” your way into the improv world!

    Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch

    So often, patchwork designs focus on clean lines, even shapes, and matching seams; it’s actually one of my favorite things about patchwork. But sometimes it can be really fun to make something a little more casual and laid-back…enter my Easy-going Patchwork Pillow!

    Table of Contents
    • Why Improv Patchwork?
    • Pillow of the Month Patterns
    • About the Designer
    • Also by Amy:

    Why Improv Patchwork?

    This pillow design uses improv (or improvisational) patchwork. Although the piecing, pressing, and trimming techniques of traditional patchwork quilting still apply, “improv patchwork” essentially creates a more free and flexible design.

    woman holding Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch

    Improv patchwork and quilting can be hard to get on board with (believe me, I know!) when you’ve been so used to the precision and accuracy of more traditional patchwork piecing, but improv patchwork has plenty of benefits… it’s a great scrap buster; generally, it’s a faster piecing process, and you don’t need to worry about imperfect corners or matching seams.

    The Easy-going Patchwork Pillow isn’t full-on improv because I’ve still given you a block design to base your piecing on, and that block is repeated to complete the pillow front.

    Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch

    Although the four blocks won’t look exactly the same, they will still be similar to each other. My hope is that this might bridge the gap between traditional patchwork piecing and improv and be a gentle “ease in” to improvisational patchwork quilting.

    Pillow of the Month Patterns

    Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch

    Amy has been writing quilted pillow patterns for us all year. In case you missed it, here are all the pillow patterns she has created this year!

    • January: Patchwork Plaid Pillow
    • February: Heart Quilted Pillow
    • March: SLEEP Pieced Letters Pillow Pattern
    • April: Patchwork Beehive Pillow
    • May: Queens Jubilee Celebration Pillow Pattern
    • June: Moroccan Tiles Pillow
    • July: Prism Paw Quilted Pillow Pattern
    • August: Strawberry Fields Patchwork Pillow
    • September: Improv Patchwork Pillow Pattern
    • October: Twin Pines Quilted Pillow Pattern
    • November: Peeking Reindeer Patchwork Pillow
    • December: Christmas Presents Pillow
    Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch

    Easy Going Improv Patchwork Pillow Pattern

    Amy Ball
    Learn how to create a patchwork pillow using an improvisational quilt piecing technique.
    5 from 1 vote
    Pin It! Share by Email Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Active Time 5 hours hrs
    Total Time 5 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • Basic Sewing Tools
    • Sewing Machine
    • Cutting Mat
    • Rotary Cutter
    • quilting ruler
    • Pins
    • Binding Clips

    supplies

    Fabrics:

    • 1 fat eighth Purple fabric
    • 1 fat eighth Pink fabric
    • 1 fat quarter Blue fabric
    • 1 fat quarter Green fabric
    • 1 fat quarter Light backing fabric

    Other:

    • Batting 18” x 18” 
Pillow back fabric 0.5 yards
    • Cushion pad: 16” x 16”

    Instructions
     

    Cutting:

    • Cutting for an improv patchwork design doesn’t need as much precision as usual but I have listed a guide for sizes to avoid too much wastage and also so there is enough to create the correct sized blocks too. The number of pieces of each color needs to be followed exactly.
    • From Purple fabric, cut roughly 6” x 2” (12).
      From Pink fabric, cut roughly 6” x 2” (12).
      From Green fabric, cut roughly 5” square (16).
      From Blue fabric, cut roughly 5” square (12).
      From Pillow back fabric cut, 16½” x 11” (2).

    Construction:

    • The pillow front is made up of four blocks, each measuring 8½” square.
      stack of colorful fabric folded on table
    • The sketch shows the rough block design you are aiming for with the fabric pieces. Each block is split into two units; stripes and triangles.

    Stripes construction:

    • To create one stripes unit take three purple 6” x 2” rectangles and three pink 6” x 2” rectangles.
      Start with one purple rectangle and place one pink rectangle on top, right sides together. Sew together along one long edge.
      Remember…you don’t need to sew a perfect ¼” seam allowance or a straight seam line, in fact you should make sure that you sew the seam line at a slight angle. Then press the seam to the side.
      purple and red fabric strips on table
    • Repeat step one alternating between purple and pink fabric pieces, and making sure the seam lines are at uneven and changing angles.
    • Sew six rectangles together.
      purple and red fabric strips on table
    • Once you have pieced the six rectangles, turn the unit over and check the seam allowances. Trim them all down to ¼” to avoid too much bulk later in the project.
      wrong side of purple and red fabric strips on table
    • Now turn the unit back to the right side and trim it down to 5¾” x 8½”. Press well.
    • Repeat steps 1 to 4 to make three more stripes units. Set aside.
      purple and red fabric strips on table

    Triangles construction:

    • Read these top tips for the triangles unit before you start sewing, as it is a little trickier than the stripes unit!
    • To help with fabric placement, fold a rough seam allowance along the edge you will sew in place (fold it wrong sides together) then place the folded edge where the sewn seam will be and re-position if required.
      Then carefully fold back, without moving the fabric placement, and pin in place then sew using the fold line as your guide.
    • Achieving the correct sizing and spacing with the triangles unit is more difficult than with the strips unit;
      If you are confident that you’ll get good placement (without needing to unpick any seams!) then I recommend trimming the excess fabric away after each seam is sewn (this will avoid extra bulk later on in the project)
      But if you’re not so confident and think you might need to unpick and make adjustments after a few seams have been sewn; then I recommend not trimming any excess whilst sewing, but instead, trim out any bulk and excess with scissors once you’ve finished the whole unit.
    • Keep track of the overall size of the unit during the construction process; it will be trimmed down to 8½” x 3¼”, so you need to make sure that you have at least this, if not more, that can be trimmed to size.
    • To create one triangles unit take four green 5” squares and three blue 5” squares.
      Start with one green square and place one blue square, right sides together, on top but at roughly a 45° angle running top left to bottom right (use the step photo as a guide for placement).
      Sew together along the right edge of the blue square. Remember…you don’t need to sew a perfect ¼” seam allowance or a straight seam line. Then trim away the excess fabric and press the seam to the side.
      green squares of fabric on table
    • Repeat step six alternating between green and blue fabric pieces, and alternating the placement angle (switching between top left-bottom right and top right-bottom left will create the triangle shapes).
      As a guide for fabric placement, if you aim for the top edge of the blue triangles to be about 2¾”-3” long then you should end up with the full unit length slightly longer than 8½” with not too much to trim off.
      squares of fabric sewn together
    • Sew seven squares together.
      squares of fabric sewn together
    • Once you have pieced the seven squares, trim it down to 8½” x 3¼”.
    • Press well.
    • Repeat steps to make three more triangles units.

    Final construction:
Use a ¼” seam allowance.

    • Take one stripes unit with purple at the top and one triangles unit with the points of the blue triangles facing to the left.
      Sew together along the long edges. Press the seam towards the stripes unit to help with bulk and set the block aside.
    • Repeat step to make three more blocks.
    • Now you need to sew the four blocks together to create a square. As this is “improv” I have given you six different layout suggestions from which to choose.
      Option A
    • Option B
    • Option C
    • Option D
    • Option E
    • Option F
    • Sew the four blocks together, first into two rows of two.
    • Next sew the two rows together to complete the pillow front. Press well.

    Quilting:

    • Now it’s time to make a quilt sandwich. Place your light backing fabric square (right side facing down) with your batting on top, then add the patchwork pillow front with the right side facing towards you.
      Make sure all the layers are smooth and flat then baste the layers together using your preferred method.
    • Quilt as desired.
To keep with the improv style I have filled the blue triangles with spiral rows of blue hand quilting, and added large circles and arcs of pink hand quilting over the stripes sections (each stripes section has different sizes of circles/arcs).
    • Once you have finished quilting, trim off any excess backing fabric and batting, and square up your pillow block if required.

    Finishing:

    • Take one pillow back 16½” x 11” rectangle and hem one long edge by pressing the raw edge to the wrong side by ¼” then again by another ¼”. Press well and sew. Then repeat for the second pillow back 16½” x 11” rectangle.
    • Pin or clip the pillow back pieces to the quilted block, right sides together, all around the four side.
    • Sew around all four edges using a ¼” seam allowance, securing the start and finish with some back-stitching.
    • Trim the corners, turn the pillow cover the right way out, carefully poke out the four corners and then press.
      Blue, green, purple and red patchwork pillow on couch
    • Stuff with an 16” square pad and enjoy your new Easy-going Patchwork Pillow.
    PRINT
    Tried this tutorial?Let us know how it was!

    About the Designer

    Amy lives in the north of England with her husband and son. When she’s not sewing and quilting, Amy can usually be found baking or reading. You can find her on Instagram @amyatthegate

    Also by Amy:

    close up of hand quilting on fabric

    A Helping hand For Hand Quilting

    table with quilting supplies and lamp

    More Lights On | How To Improve Your Hand Sewing Lighting

    yellow and white quilt blocks with text overlay

    Free Guide to (near) Perfect Patchwork

    You May Also Like:

    • Improv Quilt Block Needlecase Pattern
    • 3 Kids 3 Quilts for Christmas
    • Quilted Linen Christmas Table Runner Tutorial
    • Bow Tie Quilt Block Tutorial for the Block Challenge
    • Scrappy Improv Log Cabin Quilt

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • Street Party Bunting Mug Rug Pattern
    • navy and ivory log cabin mug rug on wood tray with coffee and cookie
      Coffee Cabin Self-Binding Mug Rug Tutorial
    • star shaped mug rug with flowers and cup on wood table
      English Bloom Mug Rug; an EPP Project
    • yellow, and green floral table runner on white table with flowers
      15+ Quilted Table Runner Patterns Perfect for Spring

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brenda Jerles says

      September 18, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      This is a fun and beautiful pillow! I have been trying to learn precision piecing so my first thought, when looking at the picture, was one of those triangles are too small! Will take alittle to sew off kilter! But I love it!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin