Children at Play Scalloped Pillow

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to film two episodes of Fons and Porter ‘Love of Quilting‘ PBS show and magazine. I already shared my Cottage Quilt Block with you that I made on one of the episodes. Today I’m sharing the project that I did on the other episode…….. Children at Play Scalloped Pillow.

Children at Play Scalloped Pillow

I’m so happy with how this pillow turned out. I created this pillow for my girls room, but with the use of different fabrics, this pillow could certainly be made for another room in the house.

I think the way I sew scallops is kind of a unique technique (found in my Janey Jumper Pattern), at least that’s what people tell me. I knew I wanted to be able to share this scallop technique on ‘Love of Quilting‘. So I was trying to come up with a design that used scallops but also had a quilting element to it. I like pillows because I think they are a simple, quick project and I am a finisher………I can’t stand have un-finished projects. It’s like I can’t move on until what I’m working on is complete. So a pillow is kind of like children’s clothes, it can be finished in a day!

In addition to the scallops, I thought it would be fun to incorporate some fabric yo-yo’s to add a vintage element. The yo-yo’s were hand-sewn and then hand-sewn to the pillow. In my episode and magazine article, we also discuss how to make the yo-yo’s. You can certainly make them without a template, but I love these yo-yo makers. They help make perfect yo-yo’s every time!

The main print ‘Children on Parade’ is from Sarah Jane Studios first fabric line (Children at Play) is still one of my all-time favorite prints. I have been hoarding the rest of this print for a long time. This print was perfect for fussy cutting to create the center panel on the scalloped pillow. I don’t believe Children at Play is currently in print, but you may be able to find it on ebay or Etsy.

I used several other prints from the same fabric line for the scallops, fabric yo-yo’s, sashing, binding and pillow backing. I chose some buttons to pull out the blue in the fabrics. I thought the blue would also pop on top of the orange. The buttons were sewn to the pillow front before constructing the full pillow with binding. When it comes to selecting colors and prints for my projects, it’s all about balance and the way the fabrics go together. I know I’ve got it right when it just feels right. I know that’s not very specific. But if it doesn’t feel right, the balance is probably off…….whether it’s the prints you’ve selected, colors or details. Just play with your project changing up buttons, trim, fabrics, etc. until it feels balanced.

The pillow is an envelope style pillow so it can be easily removed and thrown in the washing machine. The binding was sewn by machine and by hand. I incorporated pink rick rack into the binding for an added touch of detail. I can’t ever get enough of rick rack. It’s just too perfect for children!

I’m happy to finally share this project with you that I created last year. Both of my ‘Love of Quilting‘ episodes have aired and both projects seen in those episodes (Cottage Quilt Block and Scalloped Pillow) can be found in Love of Quilting magazine where you can find step by step instructions!