A Moody Blue Reflections Pillow

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging.

It's a dreary mid-December day here in Chicago and I'm feeling all of the mellow, moody blue feelings. Even though this Reflections pillow is actually quite cheerful, I'm choosing to see it through an overcast lens.

Currently I'm sipping peppermint tea and enjoying the small stretch of silence that comes with Desi's afternoon nap. Ahhhh....let me soak this feeling in for a moment.

Now. Are you ready to hear about all of the gloriously blue fabric used in this fabulous pillow? I'm dying to tell you all about it! If you've been hanging around the SQ blog, you know that we loooove to mix different kinds of fabrics. We even went on a Quilty Adventure to discover how to sew with each one!

If you're new to sewing or if you've only used lightweight quilting cotton, pairing double gauze and lawn or linen and canvas may sound a bit scary. My favorite way to experiment with substrates is in a small project – like a pillow!

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #pillowtutorial

Before jumping into fabric, let me first give a shout out to Nicole Wiles who sewed this Reflections pillow. Her seams all match up beautifully because she used this glue basting seams tutorial. It works every time!

Trending patterns!

How to Experiment with Different Fabrics

Before investing in a yard of some fabric you know very little about, pop into your local fabric store and ask if they have a scrap bin. Most stores have one. Dig around and find as many interesting fabrics as they will allow you to take. (Sometimes store owners can get weird if you start filling up your purse.)

If you don't know what some fabrics are, ask someone who works there. It's really helpful if you know what you're working with before you start slicing and dicing.

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #pillowpattern

Once you are happily home with your newly scavenged scraps, add some quilt-weight cotton from your stash and sew up a quick pillow. Even if everything falls apart or you accidentally scorch that rayon that somehow slipped in, who cares? It was free fabric and just an 18-inch pillow!

Patterns for Small Quilt Projects!

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #pillowpattern

Now It's Time to Buy the Good Stuff

You've made your practice pillow and now you're ready to spend a little cash on the good stuff. My quilty, fabric-lovin' friends, the fabrics used in this Reflections pillow are the epitome of the good stuff. Oh boy...

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #quiltpattern

A Pillow is the Perfect Project for "Expensive" Fabric

When I'm feeling extra fancy, I buy fabric designed by the Japanese textile artist, Nani Iro. Since this fabric is typically printed on double gauze or linen and imported from Japan, it's generally more expensive than most of the other fabrics I use.

So why the splurge on fabric for just a pillow? Let me tell you, a pillow is the perfect project for using that oh so expensive fabric you've been drooling over.

  1. You only need a little bit so you won't break the bank buying expensive fabric.
  2. A pillow arguably gets seen more than a quilt. Quilts get folded, piled, or tossed over a chair. Pillows, on the other hand, are usually propped up and fully visible.
  3. The fabric will stay well intact much longer because your pillow probably won't get cuddled and washed as much as a quilt.
The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #quiltedpillow
The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #pillowpattern

Reflections Pillow Fabric

What's your go-to splurge fabric? Maybe after today it's Nani Iro too? I wouldn't blame you. 😉

The Reflections pillow is a very fast project that is perfect for using scraps of fabric! This modern quilt pattern includes instructions for an 18-inch pillow and a 30-inch wall hanging. suzyquilts.com #pillowpattern

One thought on “A Moody Blue Reflections Pillow

  1. Megan B says:

    My go-to splurge is either vintage fabrics (’30s, ’40s and ’50s) or Birch’s Charley Harper prints. This is just the “ooch” I needed to cut into that CH stash I’m building. A pillow is the perfect solution.

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