Rainbow Pillow

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 1/2 yd patterned fabric for backing
• 1/2 yd of 5 different color fabrics for rainbow pieces
• Polyfil for stuffing
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Scissors
• String or scrap yarn
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Large paper or poster board to create template
• Ruler
• Pen or pencil

DIRECTIONS:

1. To start, you will be creating a rainbow template. Take your large sheet of paper and make a mark with your pencil on the bottom, right around the center (it doesn't have to be exact).
2. Now, take your ruler and make a mark with your pencil 9 inches away from center on each side. Then make marks 7.5" from center on each side. Continue this, making marks 7 inches, 6 inches, 5.5 inches, 4.5 inches, 4 inches and 2.5 inches from center.
3. Then tie your string to your pencil. Put the pencil tip down on the first mark and hold the string tight at your center mark. Run you pencil over the paper, creating an even arc. Do this for each of your marks until you have 8 rainbow lines. (See figure.)


4. Use scissors to cut out each arc on your drawn lines. Number your arches from 1-7. These arcs will become your templates for cutting your fabric.
5. Layer arc #1 on your teal (or outermost rainbow) fabric. Cut along the outside edge. Then, take the arc #2 and center it on your half circle. Cut along the inside edge. You should now have an arch that is 2" thick.
6. Layer arc #2 on your yellow (or second color) fabric. Cut along the outside edge. Then, take arc #4 and center it on your half circle. Cut along the inside edge. You should now have an arch that is 2" thick.
7. Layer arc #4 on your navy (or third color) fabric. Cut along the outside edge. Then, take arc #6 and center it on your half circle. Cut along the inside edge. You should now have an arch that is 2" thick.
8. Layer arc #6 on your coral (or fourth color) fabric. Cut along the outside edge. Then, take arc #7 and center it on your half circle. Cut along the inside edge. You should now have an arch that is 2" thick.
9. Now you have four arcs cut out. When you lay them on top of each other, the smaller arcs should cover the larger arcs by ½ inch at the bottom. You are going to sew these arcs together, starting from the top down.
10. Lay your outermost rainbow color right side up. Turn your next rainbow color right side down and match the left corners (see image).


11. Slowly sew your way around the curve, keeping a .25 inch seam allowance. After you have gone all the way around. Press your seam allowance up toward the larger arc.
12. Do this two more times until all your rainbow pieces are joined.
13. This will be the front of your pillow.
14. Use your front pillow piece as a template to cut out the back of the pillow to the same size.
15. Cut a strip of fabric that is 5" wide by at least 35" long. Sew the long side of the rectangle along the outside edge of the front of your rainbow pillow, right sides together, working your way along the curve. Trim away any excess fabric.
16. Use the same method to sew the opposite long side to the outside edge of the back of your pillow, right sides together.
17. Cut a strip of fabric that is 5" wide by about 15" long. Sew the long side to the inside curve of the rainbow, right sides together. Trim away any excess fabric. Use the same method to attach the rectangle to the backside, inside curve.
18. You should now have an arch shaped tube of fabric. Turn it inside out.
19. Cut two squares of fabric that are 5x5 inches. These will become the base of the rainbow pillow.
20. Pin one square to the opening of one side of your pillow. Match up the four sides of the square with the four sides of the rainbow tube, right sides together. Sew around the edges of the square to join the base to the pillow sides.
21. Pin the other square to the opening of the other side in the same way. Sew only three sides of this square to the main piece.
22. Turn the pillow right side out and stuff with Polyfil.
23. Finish the final seam by hand with matching thread.