How to Make a Quilt Block Ruffle Pillow

This pillow uses the Uneven Nine Patch from the Accuquilt Block By Block Basics series. Check out the block by clicking here! Making this pillow came about as the block called out to be turned into something charming. Use any 12” block to make this pillow or adapt it to the size of your dream pillow.

So gather your supplies and let's get started!

Supplies

• Two quilt blocks, 12” finished
• Ruffle fabric - Recommended: 2 strips  6” x WOF
• Stuffing
• Sewing thread
• WonderFil Spagetti thread or other 12 weight/heavy-duty thread
• Sewing machine
  • ¼” foot, suggested
  • Walking foot, suggested
• Craft Clips and/or Pins
• Marking tool
• Hand sewing needle

Making the Ruffle

Fabric Preparation

The first step is to figure out the length needed to create a ruffle that will fit around the perimeter of the block, plus additional length for the fullness of the ruffle.

12” x 4 sides = 48” perimeter

25% additional for light ruffle = 12” + 48” = 60”

50% additional for full ruffle = 24” + 48” = 72” 

Next, figure out your desired ruffle width and cut a strip double that measurement. I wanted a 3” finished ruffle, so I cut two 6” x Width of Fabric (WOF) strips for the ruffle.

Join the strips into a continuous tube by layering the strips right sides together with the long tails perpendicular to one another. Mark a diagonal line and sew on the marked line. Trim a ¼” seam allowance. Repeat as necessary, paying special attention not to twist the tube.

Fold the tube’s width in half. Press the fold if a sharp edge is desired, don’t press for a more casual ruffle. Clip or pin in place along the length. 

Sewing the Ruffle

There are several ways to sew the ruffle including hand sewing, zigzag stitching over cord, and so on. This tutorial will cover a fast method that works best for small projects. 

To begin, grab some WonderFil Spagetti thread, or other 12wt/heavy duty thread, and wind a bobbin of it, then insert the bobbin into the machine.

Next, lengthen the stitch as long as it will go.

Next, lower the top tension on the machine. The goal is to create a long stitch that’s loose on the back where the thick thread is. The bobbin thread will be pulled to create the ruffled effect. Test tension and stitch length on scrap fabric.

Sew along the raw edge of the folded material. A foot with a barrier like a quilter’s ¼” foot is great for this step. Sew all around the tube, making sure not to sew over the beginning of the line at the end.

With the tube sewn, gently pull on the bobbin thread and work the ruffles around the tube evenly. Check the size of the tube against the size of your pillow occasionally to avoid over-ruffling. Don’t worry about perfecting it at this step, just get it close.

This method can create some fraying. Tidy up only the frayed threads, making sure not to cut the bobbin threads used for pulling until the ruffle is finished in the next section.

Assembling the Layers

Once the ruffle is close to finished, start to layer it with the block that will be the front of the pillow. The raw edges should align, with the folded edge of the ruffle pointing inwards. Take your time finalizing the ruffle and making it lay like you want.

Pull the final gather of the ruffle last and tie the ends to secure. (Tip: Keep excess ruffle under control with more clips.)

Once these layers are joined, tidy up the other side by checking for any misaligned clips or rolled edges caught underneath.

With the ruffle side facing up, place the quilt block that will be the back of the pillow over the ruffle/front sandwich, right sides together. Pin the layers all together using pins between the clips holding the front and ruffle. This hybrid use of clips and pins helps reduce bulk and poking oneself, but do what works for you!

Note an area at the bottom of the pillow for yourself where it will be left unsewn to stuff later.

Sewing the Pillow

Reset the tension on your sewing machine, and shorten the stitch length to a moderate length like 3mm. Install a walking foot for an easy time sewing these bulky layers, if desired. 

Sew a ⅜” seam allowance to avoid the ruffle’s sewing line showing later. Start at one end of the area to leave unsewn, and sew around all four sides to the other end of the area to leave unsewn.

Corners on ruffle pillows look really nice rounded. To do this, use the end of a spool to mark a curve on the corner. Starting in the seam allowance, sew the marked line to create a curved corner. Trim bulk.

Once sewn, the pillow is ready to be turned inside out!

Inspect the ruffle seam for any issues to fix before stuffing and see to them now.

Once satisfied, it is time to stuff the pillow through the unsewn area of the pillow.

Fill with as much stuffing as desired.

Closing the Pillow

Thread a hand sewing needle and knot the end. Take some large basting stitches in the seam allowance to hold the ruffle in place to the back layer of the pillow. 

Next, invisible stitch by taking a small stitch through the folded edge of the block fabric, running it through the layers of the ruffle fabric, and coming up through the folded edge of the block fabric again, catching a few threads. Make sure to sew between the layers of the ruffle or else a stitch may show through on the opposite side of the ruffle.

Sew the back of the pillow with invisible stitches to the ruffle first, then sew the front of the pillow to the ruffle to complete.

Enjoy!