It’s fun to experiment with old crafting techniques and then use them in modern ways. In this project, I’ve taken a page from paper piecing for quilting. This technique creates geometric shapes to serve as appliqué.

Paper piecing is a method for making perfect geometric shapes in quilting. The results are stunning, but you need several hundred hexagons to make a full quilt! These pillows are a modern (and much quicker) way to try your hand at paper piecing, and they are a great project for using little scraps that you can’t bear to throw away.

What You’ll Need:
Cotton fabrics, three in various widths for the pillow front (at least 13 inches long) plus one for the pillow back
Cutting mat
Fabric and paper scissors
Fabric scraps for the hexagons
Iron and ironing board
Paper
Pillow form, 12-inch by 16-inch
Quilting ruler
Rotary cutter
Scrap paper
Sewing machine
Thread

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The Basics
Home decorator sewing requires the same basic equipment as dressmaker sewing, with the addition of tools for measuring windows and furniture. Using the proper equipment makes the work easier and the results more satisfying.
1) Needle threader eases threading of hand and machine needles.
2) Pins with plastic or glass heads are easier to see and handle.
3) Thimble protects your middle finger when you sew by hand.
4) Needles for general hand sewing are Shil1PS. Buy a package of assorted sizes for various sewing tasks.
5) T-pins are long, sturdy, broad-headed pins which are used to anchor fabrics to solid surfaces.
6) Quilting pins are extra long and useful for working with heavy or thick materials.
7) All-purpose thread is used for hand and machine sewing on most fabrics. Choose all-cotton, cotton Wrapped polyester or all-polyester thread, depending on the fiber content of the fabric.

Measuring Tools
The most important consideration in home decorator sewing is accurate measuring. The following measuring aids help you make correct calculations for buying and cutting fabric.
1) Carpenter’s square is an L-shaped ruler, used to determine the perfect right angles and square corners that are essential to the fit of curtains, shades, tablecloths and pillows.
2) Wood folding ruler is used for measuring large areas. Because of its stability, this ruler is more accurate than a tape measure.
3) Yardstick is used for measuring long, flat lengths of fabric, and for marking and squaring grain lines. The surface of the yardstick should be smooth so it does not snag fabric.
4) Spring-return metal tape measures windows and other large areas. It is also handy for measuring around curves.
5) Seam gauge makes quick, short measurements such as those for hems. The 6″ (15 em) metal or plastic ruler has a sliding marker for accuracy in measuring.

Marking & Cutting Tools
After making careful calculations and taking accurate measurements mark and cut the fabric in preparation for sewing. Have on hand an assortment of marking tools for various fabric colors and textures. Good quality cutting tools are also a smart investment.
1) Cutting board is marked with horizol1t.al and vertical lines, and is useful for laying out and cutting lengths of fabric up to 2 yards (1.85 meters). It is made of heavy cardboard so fabric can he pinned in place. Two boards may be necessary for large items such as floor-length curtains.
2) ‘Tailor’s chalk is specially designed to mark directly on fabric and rub off easily.
3) Trimmers have straight handles and are used for trimming and straightening edges. A lightweight, slim blade aids accuracy,
4) Seam ripper is used to remove stitches. Use it with care to avoid ripping fabric.
5) Bent handled shears allow fabric to remain flat during cutting. Shears should be lightweight, easy to handle and 8″ or 9″ (20.5 or 23 cm) long.
6) Liquid marking pencils make sharp, defined lines on firm fabrics. One type of pencil makes a mark that can be removed with dear water; the other makes a mark that disappears in 18 hours. Test marking pencils on a fabric scrap before using. Ironing permanently sets the markings; if markings are on the right side of the fabric; do not press until they are removed.

Notions
Notions serve three purposes in home decorator sewing. Some, such as the rings used on Roman shades, are essential to the construction of an item; others, such as fusible web and fabric glue, make sewing easier. Notions such as braids, trims, pipings and ribbons are simply decorative.
1) Decorative trims such as bias tape (la), piping (lb) and ribbon (1c) are available in a wide range of colors and styles to complement the items you sew. Select trims with the same care requirements as the decorator fabric.
2) Cords, tapes and rings (2a) have specific uses on certain projects. These notions are described in the directions for projects which require them.
3) Fusible web is used for hemming or for bonding two layers of fabric together; It is available in narrow strips for hems, or in 18″ (46 cm) widths for fusing larger areas.
4) Fabric adhesives such as glue stick (4a) and craft or white glue’(4b) may be used for temporary basting, or for permanently applying batting or trims to items which will not receive much handling.
5) Liquid fray preventer dries invisibly and prevents the raw edge of fabric from fraying. Use it as a temporary agent to prevent raveling while working with fabric, or as permanent finish oil exposed seams and edges.
6) Stain-resistant spray can be used on many home decorating items to prevent spills from soaking into fabric. To apply, follow instructions on the container.

Posted specially for viewers of pattern-making who write and asked for this information, hope this help, good luck

{Credit}
Singer Sewing for the Home
Copyright 1984-1988

Box pillows can be used for cushions as well as for casual pillows. They are firm because of the boxing strip that is sewn between the pillow front and back. K- Cutting Directions Cut pillow front and back 1″
(2.5 cm) larger than finished pillow. Cut the boxing strip with length equal to distance around pillow plus 1″ (2.5 cm) for seams, width equal to depth of pillow plus 1″ (2.5 cm).
YOU WILL NEED
Decorator fabric for pillow front, back and boxing strip.
Polyurethane foam wrapped in batting. Or make a box pillow liner, using directions below.

How to Make a Box Pillow
1) Stitch short ends of boxing strip, right sides together, to form continuous loop. Fold loop into fourths and mark each fold with s/s” (1 cm) clip on both edges.
2) Pin boxing strip to pillow front, right sides together, raw edges even, matching clipped points on strip to pillow corners.
3) Stitch I/2″ (1.3 cm) seam, shortening stitches for
1″ (2.5 cm) on each side of corner; take one or two stitches diagonally across each corner instead of sharp pivot.
4) Pin boxing strip to pillow back, right sides together; match clips to corners. Stitch seam as in step 3, leaving one side open. Press seams, turning under seam allowances at opening. Insert form or liner; slipstitch opening closed.