Recommended Free Tools
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
Free scan · Windows 10 & 11
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Free scan · under a minute
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Free scan · no reinstall
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Beautiful Blues Pillow is a blue-and-cream patchwork project that makes a finished 20-inch-square throw pillow. The pattern calls for a 20-inch pillow form and a top made from four A blocks, four B blocks, and eight C blocks, layered with batting and muslin, quilted as desired, and finished with an overlapping envelope back.
The project is from American Patchwork & Quilting Editors, was tested by quilt tester Alison Gamm, and was inspired by Down the Middle by Kim Schaefer of Little Quilt Company. It lists Robert Kaufman Fabrics’ Imperial collection as its fabric reference. The online project page was updated January 30, 2025. For the complete cutting sequence and assembly diagrams, consult the original Beautiful Blues Pillow pattern.
Project at a glance
| Detail | Pattern specification |
|---|---|
| Finished pillow | 20 inches square |
| Pieced top before finishing | 20 1/2 inches square |
| Finished patchwork block | 5 inches square |
| Block size including seam allowances | 5 1/2 inches square |
| Block layout | Four A blocks, four B blocks, and eight C blocks in four rows |
| Batting and muslin | One 20 1/2-inch square of each |
| Back closure | Hemmed, overlapping envelope back |
| Pillow form | One 20-inch square form |
| Fabric-width assumption | 42 inches usable width |
The pattern specifies 1/4-inch seam allowances unless noted otherwise. It describes a finished 20-inch pillow and calls for a 20-inch-square form.
#1 Best Overall
- CAREFULLY HAND PICKED - DIY FRIENDSHIP BRACELET KIT - EASY TO CARRY - ALL-IN-ONE COMPACT BOX: 80 colors80 Pre-wound threads on bobbins for easy crafting.
- Strong Embroidery Thread – The thread for bracelets is made of 100% quality polyester, glossy and smooth to work with. Each skein is 8 yards long and includes 6 strands.
- Great For Friendship bracelets, embroidery, cross-stitch, thread art, sewing, stitching, tassels, diy items and handicrafts are the right choice
Materials and fabric requirements
The pattern’s yardages and cutting instructions assume 42 inches of usable fabric width. Check the original pattern’s cutting chart before cutting; buy extra if your fabric is narrower, has a large unusable selvage, or needs fussy-cutting.
- 1/2 yard medium-blue print No. 1
- One 10-inch square each of cream prints No. 1 and No. 2
- One 9-by-21-inch fat eighth of light-blue print
- One 10-inch square of dark-blue print
- One 10-inch square each of medium-blue prints No. 2 and No. 3
- One 9-by-21-inch fat eighth of cream print No. 3
- One 20 1/2-inch square of batting
- One 20 1/2-inch square of muslin
- Two 12 3/4-by-20 1/2-inch medium-blue rectangles for the back
- One 20-inch-square pillow form
You will also need thread and basic sewing and pressing supplies. A rotary cutter and quilting ruler are useful for cutting the small pieces.
Rank #2
- 50 different rainbow colors. Contains all the colors, blue, green, red, orange, pink, yellow, gray, black, white, etc., to meet your need for color
- more flexible, no worry about floss pilling and or falling apart, long storage time, can be applied long Each Floss is about 8.75 yard long and each skein of embroidery floss
- The Cross Stitch Floss could be applied for making friendship bracelets, children's crafts, cross stitch projects, tassels, or any holiday decorations. Great for children, friends, moms, colleagues or cross stitch beginners or favors
- Best gift to for mom, grandma, friends to making cross stitch, enjoy the DIY embroidery with them, that will be a meaningful experience.
- Each Floss is about 8.75 yard long and each skein of embroidery floss comes with color tags
Choosing substitute fabrics
You can use a substitute for the named Imperial collection. Preserve the blue-and-cream palette and contrast among cream, light blue, medium blue, and dark blue. Metallic prints are part of the original fabric concept, but the pattern’s named fabric reference does not establish current availability.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHow the block groups work
A blocks
Make four A blocks using cream, light-blue, and medium-blue pieces. Each measures 5 1/2 inches square including seam allowances before joining.
Rank #3
- Great Value Embroidery Floss Set – Paxcoo embroidery floss kit included 210 skeins embroidery floss along with a set of 66pcs embroidery cross stitch tools as well as a nice storage organizer box. It has everything needed for both needlecraft project and cross stitching
- Good Variety of Colors – This embroidery kit come with a good variety of 200 rainbow colors and 10 black and white colors that are bright and vibrant. All the embroidery threads are all labeled and come wrapped on the cards. Great for beginners for friendship bracelets making, string art, needlecraft project, cross stitch project
- Hand Embroidery Accessories – This embroidery supplies and accessories kti come with 48pcs embroidery needles, 6 pcs safety pins,4 pcs cross stitch needle-threading tools,2pcs metal sewing thimbles,1 pair of scissors,1pc seam ripper, 1 pincushion and 2pcs water-soluble pens, these embroidery tools are practical for cross stitch beginners. A great kit for making friendship bracelets or embroidery
- Strong Embroidery Thread – The thread for bracelets is made of quality polyester- cotton, glossy and smooth to work with. Each skein is 8 meters long and includes 6 strands. The bracelet kit embroidery floss would make a great gift
- Portable 4-Tier Organizer Storage Box – This friendship bracelet making kit string comes in a handy 4-Tier embroidery thread organizer box to keep everything straight, and this is a nice activity set for crafts
B blocks
Make four B blocks using cream, light-blue, medium-blue, and dark-blue pieces. Follow the pattern diagrams for the staged assembly and strip orientation.
C blocks
Make eight C blocks from dark-blue squares, medium-blue pieces, and cream strips. Keep the fabric combinations organized. For the pictured layout, place the C blocks made with cream print No. 3 in a diagonal row.
Rank #4
- Package:The cross stitch set come with 200 different colors embroidery floss, 48 pcs embroidery needles, 4 pcs cross stitch needle-threading tools,3 pcs pin cushions, 2 pcs metal sewing thimble, 2 pcs water-soluble pens,1 pcs untwist tool, 1 pcs scissors, 1 transparent organizer storage box and other accessories.
- 200 Colors Embroidery Thread:100% durable soft polyester cotton;soft and strong,the touch is smooth,bright color,not easy to fade.Each individual floss is 8.7 yard (8 meter) skein.Enough for friendship bracelets and any other craft project.
- Wrapped Around Bobbins - Every skein of floss is wrapped around the paper bobbin, each bobbin marks with number, the line can come out in sequence, it's very convenient for you to use.
- 4-Tier Storage Box:Store all cross stitch threads and accessories together in this easy-carry organizer case.The embroidery thread will be stored clean and neatly in the storage box.
- Application:This craft floss are ideal for cross stitch, needlepoint, crewel and embroidery, friendship bracelets, hand and machine applique, quilting ets.
Construction sequence
- Read the cutting chart and label the prints. Keep each numbered cream and blue print distinct so similar fabrics are not swapped.
- Cut the pieces. Use the measurements in the original pattern’s cutting chart and diagrams; they provide the full cutting sequence.
- Assemble the A blocks. Follow the diagram and press toward darker fabric when no seam direction is shown. Check that each block measures 5 1/2 inches square including seam allowances.
- Assemble the B blocks. Build the units in the stated order and use the diagram to check the dark-blue strip orientation.
- Assemble the C blocks. Keep the color combinations separated and identify the blocks made with cream print No. 3.
- Arrange the blocks in four rows. Use four A, four B, and eight C blocks. Follow the assembly diagram for orientation and color placement, including the diagonal row of the designated C blocks.
- Join the rows. Alternate the seam-pressing direction between rows, then sew the rows together.
- Check the top. The assembled top should measure 20 1/2 inches square before finishing.
- Layer and quilt. Place the top with one 20 1/2-inch square of batting and one 20 1/2-inch square of muslin, then quilt as desired.
- Prepare the back. Hem one long edge of each 12 3/4-by-20 1/2-inch medium-blue rectangle. Overlap the hemmed edges by about 4 inches and stitch across the overlap.
- Finish the cover. Place the quilted top and back right sides together, sew around the edges, turn the cover through the back opening, press, and insert the 20-inch pillow form.
Useful checks before finishing
- Check the block measurements before joining rows; each block is 5 1/2 inches including seam allowances.
- Use the original assembly diagram to confirm block orientation and the diagonal placement of the specified C blocks.
- Confirm the top measures 20 1/2 inches square before layering.
- Check that the two back rectangles overlap by about 4 inches after their edges are hemmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pillow form does this pattern use?
The pattern calls for one 20-inch-square pillow form. The finished pillow is also 20 inches square.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11How many blocks are in the pillow top?
The top uses four A blocks, four B blocks, and eight C blocks, arranged in four rows.
Best Value
- Hand Embroidery Accessories – This embroidery supplies and accessories kti come with 9pcs embroidery needles, 4 pcs cross stitch needle-threading tools(2 pcs metal, 2 pcs Plastic),1 pc metal sewing thimbles,1 pair of scissors,1pc seam ripper, these embroidery tools are practical for cross stitch beginners. A great kit for making friendship bracelets or embroidery
- Good Variety of Colors – This embroidery kit come with a good variety of 36 colors that are bright and vibrant. All the embroidery threads are all labeled and come wrapped on the cards. Great for beginners for friendship bracelets making, string art, needlecraft project, cross stitch project
- Strong Embroidery Thread – The thread for bracelets is made of quality polyester- cotton, glossy and smooth to work with. Each skein is 8 meters long and includes 6 strands. The bracelet kit embroidery floss would make a great gift
- Portable Organizer Storage Box – This friendship bracelet making kit string comes in a handy portable embroidery thread organizer box to keep everything straight, and this is a nice activity set for crafts
- Excellent Gift for Her - Beneath the stunning gift box lies a world of vibrant embroidery! Our beginner embroidery kit for adults is the perfect gift for kids and women aged 8 and up, suitable for any occasion like birthdays, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. Enhance fine needlework skills, unleash creativity, and make lasting memories with family and friends.
What size are the blocks before they are joined?
Each block measures 5 1/2 inches square including seam allowances and finishes at 5 inches square.
How large are the batting and muslin pieces?
The pattern calls for one 20 1/2-inch square of batting and one 20 1/2-inch square of muslin.
Can I substitute different fabrics?
Yes. Use blue and cream prints with enough contrast to distinguish the light, medium, and dark pieces. The pattern names Robert Kaufman Fabrics’ Imperial collection as its fabric reference, but substitutions are possible.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
