Star Pillows and Fleece Blankets

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Marking pen
• Scissors
• Cutting board
• Rotary cutter
• Quilting pins
• Chopstick or 1/4" dowel
• Quilter's rule, 2'
• Tape measure
• Sewing machine
• Ultra fleece, 1/2/3 yards for blanket
• Fiber fill, 32 oz bag (1 for one large and one small pillow)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Star Pillows:
2. Lay fabric RST, pin. Use scissors to cut out star pattern. Pin around outside of star shape. Insert pins at points and between legs of stars pointing toward center of star. These pins will provide locations to turn the direction when sewing the seam allowance. Pin every 2" leaving the opening for turning.
4. Sew a 5/8" SA backstitching on either side of opening. Trim points to 1/8" from stitching. Angle cut the sides of the seam allowance from the points of the star. This will reduce the bulk of fabric at the tips once the fabric is turned right side out. Cut toward the seam on the seam allowance, between the star points, so the seam will flare when turned right side out. Be careful not to cut into the seams.
6. Turn RSO. Gently push out points with chopstick or dowel. Hand press out seams and pin. Topstitch 3/8" leaving opening.
8. Fill with Fiber fill. Insert fill into points first, center last. Fill last point near opening. Tuck in edges of opening. Pin to match topstitched edges. Hand press fill back 1 1/2" from pinned edge and pin to hold in place. This will flatten the section of pillow to allow for sewing on a machine. Start at point of star to topstitch opening 3/8" to match up with sides of opening. Remove pins.
10. Hand stitch opening folded edges to match sides of opening.
12. Fleece Blankets:
13. For straight long cuts, use a rotary cutter and cutting board.
14. Lay out the fabric WS up. Cut a straight edge into the pattern of the fabric, close to the one selvage edge. Repeat for the other side. Square one end of the blanket to the cut sides. Mark with marking pen. Repeat for other end 91" from first end mark. Cut both ends.
16. Fold over long side 1/2" and pin every 2". Repeat for second long side. Sew close to raw edge using a wide, long zigzag stitch.
17. Fold over ends 1/2" and pin every 2". At corners, cut a small 45 degree angle off the side SA to reduce the bulk of fabric. Sew close to raw edge using a wide, long zigzag stitch.

JOANN HACKS:

• When pinning a fleece blanket edge, keep the spacing of pins close to ensure a straight edge. Because fleece is stretchy, take time to adjust the material being fed into the sewing machine so that it is always in line with the foot.
• Use a new needle when sewing on fleece. Clean out sewing machine when finished sewing.