Hello Spring! Strippy Pillow Tutorial


Hey All – There’s been some issues accessing my tutorial via Moda so I’ve posted it on my blog, below. Also, if you’re interested you can check out my original Strippy Pillow post that I made back in July using a different fabric line by clicking HERE. It’s the same design but I made a diagonal cut in it – after I had made the cut I decided I liked it better without it. :-p Have fun!

Materials:

  • 11 jelly roll strips
  • Lining fabric, enough to cut one 16.5 inch square (I used one fat quarter)
  • Backing fabric, enough to cut two 12 x 16.5 inch rectangles (I used two fat quarters).
  • one 16″x16″ pillow

Instructions:

Step 1 – Take eleven strips and press each one lengthwise with an iron. Then cut each strip in half. This will give you twenty-two strips that are about 20 inches long each and 1.25 inches wide. Of these twenty-two strips, choose twenty-one for your pillow. From your lining fabric, cut a 16.5 inch square.


Step 2 – As shown below, take one strip and line the pressed seam along the bottom of the 16.5 inch square lining. Pin to keep in place. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew along the non-pressed side to attach the strip to the lining (the pressed seam should be facing the edge of the 16.5 inch square lining, as shown below).


After you’ve sewn the first strip on, mark 3/4 inches starting from the top of the non-pressed side of the strip. Continue marking 3/4 inches all the way up the lining. Click image below to enlarge.


Step 3 – Sew the remaining twenty strips (that you cut from step 1) onto the lining. Simply line the non-pressed side along the 3/4 inch mark you made in the previous step, pin to keep in place, and then sew using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.


Step 4 – After you’ve sewn all twenty-one strips onto the lining, flip it over and trim the ends using a ruler and rotary cutter so the strips are flush with the lining.

(Note: Save the scraps! Check out this post to see what I did with them)

It should look like the picture below.


Step 5 – Prepare the pillow backing: From your backing fabric, cut two 12 x 16.5 inch rectangles. For each rectangle, do the following.

Along the length, turn the edge 1/4 inch under, press, then turn under 1 inch, then press again. Stitch to keep in place as shown below.


Step 6 – With right sides facing together, take one backing rectangle and line it along the left side of your pillow cover. The finished seam you created from the previous step should be facing toward the right. Pin to keep in place, then sew along the perimeter (as shown by the dashed line below) except where the seam is. Start and end your stitch with a back-stitch.


Repeat, but on the right side instead.


Lastly, turn right side out through the opening and that’s it! Let me know if you have any questions. 🙂 Happy Quilting!

If you love jelly rolls and other pre-cuts, then stop by my pre-cut friendly shop!

94 Responses to Hello Spring! Strippy Pillow Tutorial

  1. Sandy March 29, 2012 at 2:43 pm #

    Oh so cute! I have some jelly roll strips that would be perfect for this project. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern here 🙂

    • Joy July 8, 2019 at 9:20 pm #

      hi Jera, I’m knew to quilting & I have made 2 of these pillows love it thanks so much for all you information. I just can’t see what you did with the off cuts the link doesn’t work. Also do you have any patterns for jelly rolls queen size quilts ? Thought I’m might be brave & try. Thanks Joy.

  2. Karin March 29, 2012 at 3:36 pm #

    this pattern is cute – wonder what happened to your post on MBS?

  3. Fran Kingston Dill March 29, 2012 at 4:19 pm #

    Love it!

  4. Sandy March 29, 2012 at 8:05 pm #

    Just finished mine and it turned out so cute! All I had was a 14 X 14 pillow form, so had to tweak the measurements a bit, but it came out perfect. Your tutorial was excellent and easy to follow.. thanks again Jera! 🙂

  5. Vickie March 30, 2012 at 11:26 am #

    This is a great pillow! I really want to try it! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Anne's House March 30, 2012 at 3:30 pm #

    Thanks! I LOVE this! And I have a new jelly roll just waiting to become a sweet project!

  7. Agnes B Bullock April 5, 2012 at 11:33 pm #

    I just used this pattern- SUPER EASY!

  8. Meg April 11, 2012 at 9:49 pm #

    Sorry, I deleted my original comment because I thought I had figured out my problem. I redid my math and checked my measurements and I again, can't figure out where I went wrong. Once I had everything sewn together, The top raw edge from the last (top) strip was showing. The only way I can figure to fix it is to make my seam allowance larger when sewing on the backing which would make the pillow less than 16 x 16. Any idea what I am doing wrong? When I marked all of my 3/4' lines across the base I had 1/4" left at the top which it doesn't look like you had but when doing the math this seems correct.

  9. Connie April 14, 2012 at 2:34 am #

    What a neat pillow and a great tutorial, thanks for sharing!
    Quilting by the River

  10. julie April 15, 2012 at 4:15 am #

    I made this pillow this weekend. What an easy pattern, LOVED IT. I wish others could upload their pillows. It would be awesome to see it in other fabrics.

  11. Anonymous April 16, 2012 at 6:52 pm #

    Just finished this pillow for a gift. Very easy and very beautiful. Just love it.

  12. Amy at Ameroonie Designs April 18, 2012 at 2:15 pm #

    Thanks for publishing this tutorial- I ran out and bought a jelly roll just so I could make it! I also tweaked the design just a bit and came up with another version of this pillow. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
    xoxo,
    Amy
    you can check out my new version here: http://amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/pleated-layers-pillow-tutorial.html

    • Jera April 18, 2012 at 4:59 pm #

      love the addition of pleats!! great idea 🙂 -Jera at Quilting in the Rain

  13. Kristine April 19, 2012 at 1:28 pm #

    Such a great tutorial! love it! i'm in the process of making my 3rd cushion! Thanks again, happy sewing!

  14. Carmen April 19, 2012 at 2:05 pm #

    Verdaderamente hermoso. Gracias por el tutorial.
    Un abrazo.

  15. julie April 30, 2012 at 3:25 pm #

    I love this pillow. Great instructions and it is so cute and such a happy look!
    Not sure if I can post my link but here is mine.
    http://pinterest.com/pin/181269953721832591/

  16. Anonymous May 12, 2012 at 9:27 pm #

    I saw one of your pillows made up at a quilt show in Columbia Falls, Montana. It was darling. I want to make some to match a bed runner I hope to make in the near future. Thank you for graciously sharing your design and talent. Jackie

  17. Beth May 28, 2012 at 10:56 pm #

    Love this!! I saw it on pinterest. Looks like fun to make! Thanks so much for sharing.

  18. Sara June 17, 2012 at 6:10 am #

    Thank you for posting this – I could not access it on Moda – so, was thrilled to find it here!!!

  19. Lazy Crafternoons June 17, 2012 at 5:12 pm #

    Thanks for the tutorial – I've just adapted it slightly and made my own cushion as a part of my 52 weeks: 52 crafts project, where I make and auction one new item every week to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support (a cancer charity in the UK) – please have a look at my blog to see how it turned out and spread the word. many thanks, x

    http://lazycrafternoons.blogspot.co.uk

  20. Frances June 25, 2012 at 7:20 pm #

    Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to adapt it for a set of place mats 🙂

  21. Roberta August 30, 2012 at 12:22 pm #

    amazing!!!!
    please, visit my blog:
    http://roberta-withlove.blogspot.it/

  22. Anonymous September 7, 2012 at 4:29 am #

    I just made this and am so proud of how it turned out! Thank you!

  23. Anonymous September 9, 2012 at 7:55 am #

    I've also got a 1/4 strip left at the top and I don't think your math is wrong. Just found another tutorial for the same cushion and it says to start 1 1/4 inch from the bottom which would eliminate that top 1/4 when you reach the top.

  24. Cheri November 23, 2012 at 2:47 pm #

    My sister-in-law did this in Christmas fabrics and it's soooo cute!

  25. Peris December 8, 2012 at 3:40 am #

    I am making these for Christmas Gifts….what brand of pillow form did you get. I have looked a couple and they just don't seem very firm! I want the pillow to be "poofy" Thanks. I just love how easy these are to make!

  26. Franderson December 18, 2012 at 2:44 am #

    Just finished mine and that has happened to me as well:(

  27. Cyndi McCaig February 8, 2013 at 3:09 am #

    This so so cute!

  28. Professora Nara Dantas March 27, 2013 at 1:21 pm #

    Gostei muito. É bonita e fácil de fazer e podemos aproveitar restos de tecido!

  29. Angelita March 29, 2013 at 12:21 am #

    Perfeita, parecer fácil de fazer, não vejo a hora de fazer uma.
    Parabéns pelos belos trabalhos!

  30. Shelly @A Creative Space April 26, 2013 at 4:18 am #

    I love, love, LOVE this pillow! Thank you so much for sharing your tutorial!

  31. Nancy, January 5, 2014 January 6, 2014 at 4:57 am #

    Nancy, January 5, 2014

    I just made this pillow and it turned out beautiful. I did not use jelly strips, in fact I did not know what they were, but figured it out. I just cut strips of fabric to the same dimensions. You said to cut the strips in half, didn't you mean to fold the strips in half to make the pleat 1 and quarter inches not cut it in half? Loved the way it turned out.

  32. Anonymous February 2, 2014 at 4:02 pm #

    How do you keep the raw edges of the strips you've sewn down from fraying? Thank you.

  33. Brenda Scott April 2, 2014 at 12:32 pm #

    Maybe I'm still jet lagged, but I didn't follow your step 1. You mention 11 strips and what size they should be after being cut but no mention of the size prior to ironing, etc???

    And what are "jelly rolls"? This is not a term I am familiar with?

    Please help as I really want to make this.

    Thanks so much in advance.

    Brenda

    • Georgette November 4, 2018 at 12:22 am #

      Jelly rolls are rolls of pre-cut fabric, 2 1/2 inches wide. The lengths vary some are 45 inches long. You can find them in most fabric shops and online. They sell them rolled up, hence the name.

  34. J M June 12, 2014 at 7:09 am #

    Starting at 1 1/4 inch from the bottom leaves allowance for the 1/4 seam when you sew the front and back together. This way you are not sewing down the bottom of your first strip.

  35. Anonymous September 18, 2014 at 9:47 pm #

    How would this work as a full quilt….with added boarder? Can it be done?

    • Anonymous April 1, 2015 at 3:54 pm #

      Anything is possible

  36. ladyhock December 29, 2014 at 8:12 pm #

    This is really pretty ! Thanks for sharing!

  37. Anonymous April 1, 2015 at 2:19 pm #

    This is so pretty!! But, I also, did not unnderstand the 1st step. Are the strips folded & pressed in half or cut? The pictures look like they are folded. Thanks.

  38. Anonymous April 2, 2015 at 2:40 am #

    The way I see it…fold 2 1/2" jelly roll strips in half LENGTHWISE and press…or cut your own 2 1/2" fabric strips the width of fabric and fold in half LENGTHWISE and press. CUT each pressed strip in half CROSSWISE to make 2-1 1/4" strips from each pressed strip. Hope this helps.

  39. Michele T April 29, 2015 at 3:53 pm #

    I have a jelly roll that I've been wondering what to make with it…. This is perfect, thanks!!!

  40. aj477 September 16, 2015 at 2:20 am #

    Has anyone made this with an 18" pillow? I think the 18 1/2" instead of 16 1/2" would be an easy conversion, but would you make the back pieces 13" or 14" instead of 12" (or something else)? thanks!

  41. Kim Floyd November 10, 2015 at 1:36 am #

    Just made two of these pillows for my bed, using a bed skirt that I wasn't going to use that came with a bedding set. Cut 2 1/2 x 20 inch strips and made them all one color (gray). They turned out beautifully and look like designer pillows! Thank you for the tutorial!

  42. twemyss February 17, 2016 at 4:02 am #

    just made mine but the square is not square, what do you cut the dimension to?

  43. twemyss March 8, 2016 at 8:56 pm #

    Finished mine and I sewed the first row with the blades down, the second one with the blades up and so on, looks spectacular! Nice invisible zip with my new invisible zipper foot and went well so thrilled, so will my friend be! Thank you for the tuition! xx

    • Quiltingintherain March 15, 2016 at 6:11 pm #

      you’re very welcome!!

  44. A May 2, 2016 at 4:37 am #

    Your link for what you did with the scraps just loops back to the same tutorial for the pillow. Dying to know what you did with the scraps!

  45. Shari May 2, 2016 at 11:22 pm #

    This was so easy to make and adorable! Thanks for the fantastic instructions !

  46. twemyss May 3, 2016 at 12:13 pm #

    I made mine and put an invisible zip down the bottom, had a bit of trouble trying to curl the last strip around it but it sort of worked! I also overlocked (serged) the strips as they were very thready and I thought it would get worse with the kids throwing them at each other! Looks cute and shame I can’t post a photo!
    P>S Saw the pillow at a quilt show and figured it out myself, so you are clever like me, hahaha

  47. Anne May 3, 2016 at 1:41 pm #

    Best step by step directions with photos that I have ever seen for a sewing project! Love the pillow!

  48. Linda May 6, 2016 at 1:02 am #

    Jera, This pillow is lovely and your instructions for it are easy to follow! What a great use for left-over (or not) jelly roll strips! But we are left hanging with the scraps, as noted above (see post by A on 5/2/16). Realizing that it’s been 4 years since you put up this tutorial, can you correct the link to what to do with the scraps, as right now it just loops back to this tutorial, or redirect those of us who would like to use the scraps for another project? Thanks in advance!

  49. Marny CA May 12, 2016 at 9:27 am #

    This would be perfect for when I get my bedroom in order. Thank you very much for sharing your creativity. (I want to do this with pinks and whites)

  50. Sandra June 5, 2016 at 3:45 pm #

    Very detailed and simple to follow set of directions. Thank you. Also very neatly done!

  51. Margie M February 5, 2017 at 7:36 pm #

    Is there a printer friendly version to this tutorial?

  52. Jo June 1, 2017 at 5:42 pm #

    what did you do with the leftover scraps? Thanks

  53. Donna Hopkins Colegrove June 13, 2017 at 6:11 pm #

    I wanted to see what you used the scraps left from the strips, but, the link just comes back to the pillow. Is there another way to find out how you used them?

  54. Brenda Edwards September 1, 2017 at 1:55 pm #

    I made a Christmas one, just now and it turned out great, perfect instructions.

  55. Jan November 18, 2017 at 5:33 pm #

    A lovely tutorial. Thank you.

  56. Mary November 30, 2017 at 2:07 pm #

    I was lucky enough to get your pattern off MBS before it disappeared years ago! I made two matching pillow shams out of modern grays & citron fabrics & they turned out beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing!

  57. Maureen Cooper January 8, 2018 at 2:19 pm #

    Following my recent trip to the US and purchasing some Jelly Rolls having seen a cushion in a shop similar to the one above, I have returned to the UK and thought I would introduce this design to our Sewing Club. Unfortunately we are having trouble finding Jelly Rolls. There are a few around but very expensive. I cannot believe that shops are not selling them. I am sure fabric shops must have odd amounts at the end of a roll to cut for Jelly Rolls. I am really pleased with my cushion cover and hope the Sewing Club will be too.

  58. KellieMarie Plumlee February 19, 2018 at 8:04 am #

    I can’t find what you did with the scraps

  59. Judie cantrell April 13, 2018 at 3:50 pm #

    Very cute and easy.

  60. Julie April 21, 2018 at 12:22 pm #

    Where possible I cut my left over pieces from other projects into strips (width of fabric) and have created a great stash. Jelly Rolls can be expensive so why not make your own as you go?

  61. Ann February 29, 2020 at 5:13 pm #

    I just attended a jelly roll quilting course yesterday and only used half my roll so am definitely going to use the rest to try this fusion cover. It looks stunning!

  62. Helen C. May 15, 2020 at 1:56 pm #

    Just found your blog. Love this pillow. Adding to my TO Do list. I have a Jelly Roll ( or two) that would be perfect! Thank you.

  63. Betsy Elliott May 23, 2020 at 5:59 pm #

    My sister and I made our first one last week. Now we are on our second.
    SO much fun!! Thanks for the great instructions!!

  64. WDCR July 12, 2020 at 12:13 am #

    Answer to the scrap question: go to https://quiltingintherain.com/2012/03/sweet-and-sour-pop-of-color.html

  65. jonette kruk July 29, 2020 at 10:00 pm #

    if I want to use a 18 x 18 pillow form, are all the fabric measurements increased by 2″?

  66. Angela Obrien December 7, 2020 at 4:52 pm #

    When I click the link for what you did with the scraps I just get this same page again. I will be starting this pattern today..can’t wait to see the results. Thanks!

  67. Judy A January 2, 2021 at 3:33 am #

    Ditto what others said – what to do with the scrap ends?

    • LINDA T BEHRET October 13, 2023 at 8:11 pm #

      I think the answer to what to do with the scrap ends is to make Patchwork Coasters and Cozy. I had the same frustration of getting the loop back to this pattern, until I found that one.

  68. Lyle Alvarez November 19, 2021 at 1:11 pm #

    Must read this article for information about v shaped pillow case.

  69. Comfort December 23, 2021 at 1:58 pm #

    Also read this pregnancy pillow for back pain.

  70. Comfort Collections December 24, 2021 at 1:49 pm #

    Also read this pregnancy pillow for back pain.

  71. Pam January 13, 2022 at 8:33 pm #

    Seriously late to the party, but my goal this year is to get through a significant amount of my stash. And that includes a lot of jelly rolls – this pattern works up so quick & easy!! I love it!

  72. MariaTaylor February 10, 2022 at 1:42 pm #

    Must read this article for information about 5 Tips for Bringing Flowers into Your Home.

  73. Comfort February 10, 2022 at 1:46 pm #

    Also read this The Top 5 Tips for Successfully Growing Houseplants.

  74. lizadanford171 November 2, 2022 at 6:46 am #

    Read This Information ?

    The Hug and Snug Duvet Set is the perfect way to add a bit of warmth and coziness to your bedroom. This set includes a duvet cover and two pillow shams, all made from soft, brushed microfiber fabric. The duvet cover has a zipper closure, making it easy to remove and wash as needed. The pillow shams have envelope closures, keeping your pillows snug and in place. The set is available in twin, queen, and king sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your bed. With its neutral colors and simple design, the Hug and Snug Duvet Set will complement any bedding style.

  75. Lyle Alvarez November 2, 2022 at 8:12 am #

    Read This Information ?

    Bath mats are an essential part of any bathroom. Not only do they provide a safe and slip-resistant surface for you to stand on when getting out of the shower or bath, but they also help to protect your floor from water damage. There are a wide variety of bath mats available on the market, from simple rubber mats to more luxurious options made from materials like bamboo or memory foam. No matter what your budget or style, there’s a bath mat out there that’s perfect for you.

  76. Cat Mom March 16, 2023 at 3:53 pm #

    Such a great pillow and truly easy to make. I intend to make some to go with some jelly roll quilts I am making.

  77. Cat Mom March 16, 2023 at 4:02 pm #

    Love this pillow. I plan to make a couple to go with some quilts I am making. Thank you for sharing. Like a couple of others I would love to know what you did with the scraps, but the link just repeatedly takes me back to the pillow tutorial. Can you help?

  78. E Hagesfeld August 5, 2023 at 7:38 pm #

    The directions were very straightforward and the results were great! Thanks for making a beginning sewer look like a pro! Wish I could show a picture 🙂

  79. Bobbie February 19, 2024 at 6:19 pm #

    “Sew” very cute! I’ve had a Christmas jelly roll in my stash for several years. It should make some lovely holiday accents.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Update – Yellow & Grey Baby Quilt + Cushion! | crosstitchery - February 23, 2016

    […] inspiration and found a pin that I’ve had saved for a long time; a strippy pillow tutorial. Check out Jera’s blog for the instructions on how to make your […]

  2. How to sew a pillow | 10 So Peachy - August 16, 2017

    […] You can use your spare clothes or quilts for making this strippy pillow that is perfect for spring . Find the link Here […]

  3. 15 Plush and Cute DIY Throw Pillows Ideas - DIY CHICKS - August 29, 2017

    […] we think we might have found just the pattern for you! This adorably layered throw pillow from Quilting in The Rain intentionally uses bright colours and loud patterns of all times to create a super interesting […]

  4. 14 Cool and Creative DIY Pillow Projects To Make Your Room Super Cozy - July 13, 2018

    […] Could there be anything cozier than the look of a pillow? Surely, it will remind you of home. Check out this cute diy pillow project to get inspired. Source/Tutorial: quiltingintherain […]

  5. 15 Cool DIY Throw Pillow Projects - May 24, 2019

    […] Quilting in The Rain. […]

  6. Elegant Quilt Patterns For Pillows Gallery | Quilt Pattern Inspirations - March 1, 2020

    […] hello spring strippy pillow tutorial quilting in the rain Elegant Quilt Patterns For Pillows Gallery Size: 700 X 523 | Source: quiltingintherain.com […]

  7. 15 Plush and Cute DIY Throw Pillows Ideas | Awareness - April 19, 2020

    […] we think we might have found just the pattern for you! This adorably layered throw pillow from Quilting in The Rain intentionally uses bright colours and loud patterns of all times to create a super interesting […]

Leave a Reply to Marny CA Cancel reply

Site by Spunmonkey.