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    Home » Sewing

    Scrap Busting Postage Stamp Quilted Pillow Tutorial

    Updated: Jan 3, 2019 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 8 Comments

    This adorable Postage Stamp Quilted Pillow tutorial is the brainchild of Sarah Ashford. I’m so excited that she decided to share the tutorial for this amazing pillow with you guys today! It’s the perfect project to use up some of those fabric scraps that you’ve been hoarding! 

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Postage Stamp Quilted Pillow Cover Tutorial:

    You may have seen a few weeks ago my rainbow bunting tutorial (link) that featured a whole host of delightful little animals.  Well, it got me thinking that some of those fabrics were just so perfect for fussy cutting, and it gave me an idea.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    I just love those projects with little fussy cut postage stamps on them, they are just the cutest!  So I decided to fussy cut some of my rainbow fabrics and I delved into my stash to see what other cute creatures I could find to add to the gang.  The result is this gorgeous postage stamp cushion!

     

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    There’s no better way to show off your favorite novelty print animals with a bit of fussy cutting.  So why don’t you have a rummage in your own stash to see who is lurking, waiting to be center of attention on your very own postage stamp cushion?

     

    Postage Stamp Pillow Supplies

    You will Need:

    Selection of animal prints for fussy cutting

    Cushion inner – 14” square

    Pinking shears

    Glue pen

    Spray Baste

    Hera Marker

    Fat eighth white fabric for stamp background

    Batting  – 17” square

    Front fabric – 15” square

    Cushion back top blue panel (15” x 11”)

    Cushion back bottom yellow panel ( 15” x 9”)

    Usual sewing supplies (sewing machine, ruler, rotary cutter, mat, pins, binding clips etc.)

    Step One: Make the Fabric Postage Stamps

    First of all, you need to make the stamps.  Take your fabrics for fussy cutting and trim into a square or rectangle depending on the shape for each motif.  Use a rotary cutter and ruler for this to ensure you get straight lines and 90-degree angles.  How many you need will depend on the size of each motif.  Make lots so you can play around with the layout, and choose your favorites.  You can always add one to the back of the cushion or gift any spares to a friend!

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Once all your motifs are cut out, take one at a time and use a glue pen to stick the motif onto a larger piece of white fabric.  Use pinking shears to cut out close to the edge. Don’t worry, these stamps will be stitched together later on!  The glue is just to hold things in place for now.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Do you like how my nail varnish matches perfectly with my glue pen?! I’d like to say it was intentional!

    Repeat for all of the motifs and set aside.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Step Two: Quilt the Pillow

    Take your background solid fabric and use spray baste to adhere it to the batting.  Use a hera marker and a ruler to draw a straight line down the center.  Quilt down this line then use this line as a guide to quilt either side of the line at approximately ½” intervals.  Trim the batting to the size of the background fabric.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Step Three: Layout the Fabric Postage Stamps

    Now for the auditions!  Play around with the layout of your stamps on the background fabric, balancing size, color and motif type.  Don’t place them too close to the edge as you’re going to be using a½” seam allowance all around when you stitch the front panel to the back panels later on.  Once you are happy with the layout, take a photo –  just in case!

    Postage Stamp Pillow

     

    Once you are happy with the layout, take the spray baste, and in a well-ventilated area spray onto the back of each stamp and press into position.  After all the stamps are in place, iron the cushion front to further activate the adhesive.  This will ensure that none of the stamps move when you come to the next step.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Step Four: Applique the Fabric Stamps

    The next thing to do is to appliqué the stamps.  Carefully stitch a few millimeters in from the edge of each motif, all the way around the edge of each stamp.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

     

    Stitch all the stamps then pull the threads to the back and tie off.

    Step Five: Sew the Pillow Back

    Next is the envelope back.  Take the top blue panel and fold ¼” and then ¼” again and pin in place to create the hem.  Repeat for the bottom yellow panel.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

     

    Stitch along the hemline to secure in place.

    Now to construct the cushion.  Lay the front of the cushion face up and the top blue panel right side down with the hem in the middle.  Lay the bottom yellow panel across the bottom, again with the hem in the middle.  Use binding clips to hold in place.

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Finishing:

    Stitch all the way around with a ½” seam.  Clip the corners and turn right side out.  Insert your cushion pad and you are done!

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    Postage Stamp Pillow

    About the Maker:

    Sarah Ashford is a British Quilter and embroiderer and founder of the GreatBritishQuilter challenge on Instagram. Sarah regularly contributes projects to magazines and loves to spread the joy of quilting everywhere she goes. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahashfordstudio and be sure to check out her beautiful sewing room decals in her Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/sarahashfordstudio

     

    More Sewing and Quilting Projects:

    How to Make “No Math” Polaroid Quilt Blocks

    DIY Horse Applique Pillow Pattern

    Cute and Simple Kids Library Bag Pattern

     

    Postage Stamp Pillow

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    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. Greta McKenzie of Serenitys Gift Cove and Gifts and things... says

      September 21, 2018 at 11:01 am

      I love these cushions… 🙂 thanks for sharing… Perhaps one day I will get to try making them… so many things to do … so little … 🙂 You are motivating me towards spending more time learning to sew… thank you … 🙂

      Have a fabulous day… Is it o.k. to share your projects? I have two websites and a facebook page… let me know… 🙂

      Reply
    2. Carol says

      September 24, 2018 at 1:20 am

      Hi thank you so much for the cushion with the postage stamps I will definitely give it a go a really good idea I will make one each for my granddaughters they will love it.Looking at the different pictures.

      Reply
    3. Julie Gravelle says

      September 24, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      Do you not worry about the edges of the Stamps fraying?

      Reply
    4. Cheri says

      September 25, 2018 at 12:30 am

      I was thinking about the fraying also. Should it be backed by heat n bond or something else similar?

      Reply
    5. Mardid says

      October 02, 2018 at 6:54 am

      This is a really cute project! I think I will use felt for the white postage borders so I don’t have to worry about fraying!

      Reply
    6. Claudia says

      October 05, 2018 at 1:13 am

      Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial with us. I have seen many stamps on instagram and never really knew what I could do with them. Your cushion tutorial is the perfect answer! Thank you again!

      Reply
    7. Barbara says

      January 17, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      Your project is completely adorable! My daughter collects stamps and would LOVE a pillow like this. Thank you for sharing your process.

      Reply
    8. Lenore says

      January 30, 2022 at 11:39 am

      This technique could make a quick I Spy quilt as well. Thank you!

      Reply

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