Flag Pillow Tutorial – Quilt as You Go Technique

Learn the quilt as you go technique with this flag pillow tutorial. Great for the 4th of July or summer decoration.

This design has been stewing for a bit.  I finally snuck in a few sewing minutes and put it together.   Lately I have been having a lot of fun with the quilt as you go method.

After sketching a few things, I figured out how to make the flag layout work…… so happy with how it turned out!

I am not one to dec my whole house with holiday stuff, but it’s been awhile since I’ve had anything new for the 4th of July month.  This project is perfect.  It sews up pretty quick, and since it is a pillow cover, can be stored away when not in use.

Materials Needed:

strips of fabric {can be various measurements} of red fabric X 14″ for the part next to the star and 23″ long for below the star area

strips of fabric {can be various measurements} of white fabric X 14″ for the part next to the star and 23″ long for below the star area

9″ X 9″ blue square

6″ X 6″ white- star

Batting- 22″ X 22″

Backing- muslin 22″ X 22″

Spray adhesive.  I use the thermoweb product and love it.  Keeps everything in place. No pins needed!

Flag Pillow Tutorial~

1)  Using the spray adhesive to keep the layers secure- layer the batting and muslin backing

2)  Place a red or white strip of fabric across the top of the piece.  The strip will start 8″ from the left side.  This area will be covered by the blue square of fabric.  No need to have additional fabric behind it.

3)  Place the next color strip -right sides facing- on top of the first strip.  Pin in place.

4)  Sew along the edge of the strips.

5)  Fold the strip back, finger or iron press.

6)  Sew 1/4″ from the seam.

7)  Sew down the middle of the strip.

8)   Place the next color strip -right sides facing- on top of the first strip.  Pin in place.

9)  Sew along the edge of the strips.

10)  Sew 1/4″ from the seam.

11)  Sew down the middle of the strip.

12)  Continue this quilt as you go technique until you are just past 9″ down from the top of the pillow

13)  Using a ruler to mark 8 1/2″ from the top and left side, lay your blue fabric -right sides facing the strips of red and white.  Pin the blue square in place

14)  Sew along the left side of the blue square.

15)  Fold the blue square back and sew 1/4″ from the seam.

16)  Cut out a star from the white fabric.  You can use heat-n-bond lite if you’d like.

17)  Fuse or pin onto the blue square.  Sew in an echo design inside the star.

18)  Take your next red or white fabric strip and lay it right sides facing on top of the blue square and the other strip.  Pin in place and sew along the edge.

19)  Continue sewing, flipping and quilting each strip till you reach the bottom of the pillow.

20)  Trim the pillow to your correct size.

21)  Finish your pillow with the back and closure you like.

For additional Quilt as you go Projects– 

What’s your favorite project to make using this technique?

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