Noel Quilted Pillow Shams Pattern
We are so excited to bring you FOUR FREE pattern add-ons to the new Noel quilt pattern, including our first extension in this series — a quilted pillow shams pattern! In lieu of a traditional sew along, we will go over some of the sewing techniques and tips in these add-ons so you can get the most out of your Noel quilt pattern.
Pillow shams are such a fun way to add a little character to your bedroom, whether you make them to coordinate with a quilt or just let them shine on their own. These quilted shams fit standard-size pillows and are basically little mini quilts all their own. To top it off, they’re finished with a simple flange that sets them apart from regular pillow cases and adds a nice finished touch.
They’re so fun to make (and a great way to get in some curvy sewing practice if you’re nervous about diving into a whole Noel quilt), especially if you get the acrylic templates from our partners at Cut Once Quilts! Get ready to sleep in style!
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The Noel Holiday Tutorial Series
The Noel quilted pillow shams pattern is part of our holiday tutorial series that focuses on creating decorative creations for your home or for gifts that coordinate with the Noel quilt pattern. You can find the tutorials in this series here:
- September 6: Noel Quilted Pillow Shams
- September 13: Noel Table Runner
- September 20: Noel Hot Pads
- September 27: Noel Stocking
Noel Quilted Pillow Shams Materials
- Noel Quilt Pattern
- Noel acrylic templates (optional but very helpful!)
- Fabric and batting (see details below)
- 28 mm rotary cutter (helpful for cutting the curves; you can also use a larger rotary cutter)
- Disappearing ink pen or hera marker
- Basting spray or pins
- Binding clips
- Point turner or chopstick
- Coordinating thread
- (2) Standard-size pillows (26" x 20")
- Basic quilting supplies
Optional Supplies (they’ll make things easier)
- Rotating cutting mat
- Walking foot for your sewing machine
- Tailor’s clapper
Noel Quilted Pillow Shams Pattern Fabric Requirements
This pillow shams pattern creates two matching Noel quilted pillow shams that finish at 28" x 22" (the portion inside the flange measures 26" x 20"). They fit a standard-size pillow (26" x 20"). The fabrics used in this tutorial are from Suzy’s Signature PURE Solids and Evolve collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.
NOTE: The fabric requirements below assume a width of fabric (WOF) of 42" and that you’re using non-directional fabrics for Colors 1-2 and the Background. For directional prints, refer to the Noel pattern for adjustments.
Trending patterns!
- Colors 1 and 2: 7/8 yd. each of two fabrics (Honeymoon and Cerulean Pure Solids)
- Background: 1 1/8 yards (Pearl Pure Solid)
- Lining: 1 5/8 yd. (This fabric will be inside the shams and won’t be seen. So feel free to use anything you like.)
- Batting: 1 5/8 yd. (or use batting scraps to make two pieces measuring at least 36" x 28")
- Backing: 1 3/8 yd. (Diamond Stripe in Honeymoon from Evolve)
Step 1: Cut the Fabric
Use the WOF cutting diagrams on page 5 of the Noel quilt pattern to cut the following:
- From each of Colors 1 and 2, cut
- 2 - 9 1/2" x WOF; sub-cut 12 - Template B
- 1 - 8 3/4" x WOF; sub-cut 12 - Template A-R (If your WOF is wider than 42", like mine was, you may be able to cut these pieces from the remainder of your 9 1/2" x WOF strips. In other words, cut your Template B pieces before cutting this WOF to see if you can save a little fabric.)
- From the Background, cut
- 3 - 9 1/2" x WOF; sub-cut 24 - Template B-R and 4 - Template A
- 1 - 8 3/4" x WOF; sub-cut 20 - Template A
TIP! Be sure to take advantage of the cutting tips on page 3 of the Noel pattern. Sub-cutting your strips into squares and rectangles for the template pieces makes things go so much faster, especially when combined with the acrylic templates! In addition, a rotating cutting mat really helps.
- From the Lining, cut 2 - 37" x 29".
- From the Batting, cut 2 - 36" x 28".
- From the Backing, cut 2 - 23" x WOF; sub-cut 1 - 23" x 21" and 1 - 23" x 16" from each strip.
Step 2: Make the Noel Quilt Blocks
Following the instructions for the Multi-Color Version starting on page 11 of the Noel quilt pattern, assemble four complete Noel blocks and four half Noel blocks.
For the half blocks, follow the instructions to assemble all the parts of two full blocks, but don’t sew the final seam that would connect the two block rows in each block together. The photo below shows two full blocks and two half blocks (which will make one sham).
You might note that my blocks don’t look quite like the multi-color blocks in the pattern. That’s because I got ahead of myself when I started assembling the units and paired the “wrong” colors together in each quadrant. I didn’t realize my mistake until I’d made half the blocks, but it turned out to be a happy mistake because it illustrates how flexible these units are!
Arrange the blocks into two sets of two full and two half blocks each. (The photo below shows one set.)
After that, sew the units in each set into rows, then sew the rows together to create two pillow sham tops. Press all seams open.
Step 3: Baste, Quilt, and Trim
Layer one piece of lining (wrong side up), then one piece of batting, and finally one pillow sham top (right side up) to create a quilt sandwich. Next, repeat with the other pillow sham top, batting, and lining pieces.
Then, baste and quilt each pillow sham as desired.
Here are a few Suzy Quilts tutorials if you need some help:
For my shams, I used a simple crosshatch pattern to play against the curves of the Noel blocks. The lines are spaced 2" apart.
After quilting, trim each unit to 29" wide x 23" tall. Mark the cut lines with a hera marker or disappearing ink pen before trimming with your ruler and rotary cutter to make sure everything looks how you’d like.
I found it easiest to use my long ruler to measure 14 1/2" to the left and right of the center seam to get the 29" width. I trimmed that first.
Next, for the height, I turned the sham so the trimmed sides were at the top and bottom. Then, I measured 11 1/2" to the right of the center point and trimmed. Last, I rotated the sham 180 degrees and used the marks on my cutting mat to trim the final side at 23".
Step 4: Assemble the Backings
The pillow sham pattern uses an envelope backing, making it easy to slide the pillow insert in and out for washing. The sides of the backing fabric that overlap need finishing seams because they won’t be enclosed in the final seam allowance.
Along (1) 23"-long end of a backing piece, fold the fabric 1/2" toward the wrong side and press. Next, fold and press the fabric a second time to enclose the raw edge.
Pin the folded edge in place, then topstitch along the inside fold and press.
Next, repeat this process with the other three backing pieces so they each have one finished edge.
Step 5: Finish the Shams
Lay one quilted pillow sham front right side up. Then, place one 20"-long and one 15"-long backing piece right side down on top, aligning the raw edges of the front and back pieces. (The backing pieces measure 1" less now because of the finished edges.)
The finished edges of the backing pieces will overlap in the middle of the sham.
Pin or clip around the perimeter. Then, sew all the way around using a 1/2" seam allowance.
TIP! Use a walking foot for this step to help you maneuver all the layers.
Clip the corners, then turn the sham right side out through the envelope opening. Next, push out the corners using a point turner. Then, give the sham a good press.
Using straight pins, pin the overlap of the envelope closure to keep it from shifting when sewing the flange in the next step. Make sure the pins are more than 1" from the edge.
Turn the sham back to the front and, using a long ruler and hera marker, measure 1" in from one edge of the sham and make a mark along the length of the side. Repeat on each edge.
TIP! If there is a quilting line close to where the 1" mark would be, stitch over the quilting line instead of adding a second line of stitching right next to it.
Next, stitch along the marked lines through all layers, pivoting each time you reach the point where two lines intersect, all the way around to create a 1"-wide flange. (You should be creating a box, stopping 1" from each edge; don’t stitch all the way to the edge of the sham.)
Repeat this process on the other sham. After that, remove the pins from the backings, insert your pillows, and you’re done!
Don’t forget to share your creations with us by tagging @suzyquilts and using the hashtag #SuzyQuiltsPatterns on Instagram. We can’t wait to see them!
