Categories: Gifts, Bedding, Pillow, Fall

Bright Fall colors adorn this wonderful bench pillow. A perfect use for the wide array of panel fabric available on the market. Simply adjust the design to fit the size of the panels you have purchased.

What you need to make this project

Materials: Crafter's™ Choice Pillow Form - 16" x 38"; Stabilize Lightweight Fusible Interfacing - 1 1/4 yard; Fabric Panel - One Panel; Backing Fabric - One Yard; Velcro® Hook and Loop Tape - 14 inches; Thread to match fabric

Supplies: Sewing Machine; Basic Sewing, Pressing and Cutting Tools & Supplies

Instructions

Step One

Cut two rectangles, one each from the backing fabric and interfacing 17 inches by 39 inches. Cut two rectangles from the backing fabric 17 inches by 20 1/2 inches. Refer to diagrams provided. See Diagram A panel-bench-pillow

Step Two

Following the manufacturer’s directions, fuse interfacing to the back of the pillow front backing fabric. See Diagram B

Step Three

Cut each of the panels apart. Turn under the edges and press. Trim all edges to a maximum of 1/2 inch. See Diagram C

Step Four

Lay the backing fabric right side up on a flat surface. See Diagram D

Step Five

Pin the three main panels on top of the pillow front backing fabric right sides up, spacing them as desired. If they will overlap, decide which panels will overlap each other. Note: Be sure to leave at least 1 inch at each side to allow for seam allowances. See Diagram E

Step Six

Divide and cut apart the panels as needed to fill in the design. Leave 3/4 of an inch space between the panels. Pin panels to the pillow front backing. See Diagram F

Step Seven

Trim the panels even with the pillow front backing fabric and top stitch along the top and bottom edges to secure. Top stitch each of the panels to the pillow front backing fabric. Start with the panels that are behind other panels, then continue for a cleaner look. See Diagram G

Step Eight

Turn under the inside edge of the left side of the pillow back one inch. Repeat turning in under an additional one inch. Press. Top stitch to secure. Place the hook side of the Velcro® to the right side of the pillow back,centered over the overlapped area and top stitching in place. See Diagram H

Step Nine

Turn under the inside edge of the right side of the pillow back one inch. Press. Place the loop side of the Velcro® centered over the overlapped area and top stitch in place. Repeat turning in under an additional one inch. Top stitch to secure. See Diagram I

Step Ten

Overlap the two pillow back sections right sides up on a flat surface, matching the Velcro® closure. See Diagram J

Step Eleven

Place the pillow front right side down on top of the pillow back and pin the two layers together. See Diagram K

Step Twelve

Stitch around the outside edge of the pillow using a 1/2 inch seam. Repeat stitching 1/4 of an inch away from the first row of the stitching for additional strength. Clip the excess fabric from the pillow corners. Turn right side out and press. Insert Crafter’s Choice Pillow Form. See Diagram L

Panel Bench Pillow