While I was piecing my newest Quilt Theory quilt, Into the Forest, I was lamenting the scraps that resulted. With conservation on my mind more than ever lately, I knew I wanted to create a supplemental pattern that would make efficient use of the scraps as the quilt was pieced. I know that for me, using scraps left over from a pattern often falls to the bottom of my to-do list, or the scraps fall into the pile that will slowly and eventually feed tiny scrap projects here and there, but with the little time I have to sew, those projects often fall into the “someday” category, aka an overflowing scrap bin. When all of the necessary piecing is done WHILE you’re sewing together your quilt top, on the other hand, it makes it so much easier to actually put the scraps to good use.
Thus, the Glade Pillow was born. A free bonus pattern for all who purchase Into the Forest, the Glade Pillow uses up a large majority of your scraps, and the pieces are actually sewn while you piece your quilt blocks. That’s a win in my book. I hope you like it, too.
I had a fun photoshoot for this pillow, caught right at dusk with two of my little ones in tow, and thought it would be fun to show you a bit more about the pillow, as well as share peeks at our fun photo shoot. The light is low, and less than optimal, but the photos and memories made are fun ones. It turns out kids have as much fun with a fancy arm chair in the forest as quilters do!
First, how about some more details about the pillow? Here’s the backing, which I absolutely love! I made an envelop closure but plan to add snaps or buttons in the near future.
I used scraps from my Into the Forest quilt backing, Birds of a Feather from Bird’s Eye View by Sarah Watson for Cloud 9 Fabrics, as the backing for my Glade Pillow, and used the selvedge as the raw edge of the envelop back closure.
I had fun quilting my Glade Pillow with an assortment of Aurifil threads: 40wt: 5005-Medium turquoise, 2785-Very dark navy and 50wt: 2579-Medium orchid, 2800-Mint ice, 2021-Natural white, and of course 2600-Dove. I love the texture that comes with the dense vertical lines and multiple weights of thread, all quilted with my walking foot on my domestic Bernina 560 machine.
You can get the pdf Into the Forest quilt pattern for only $4 in the Quilt Theory shop here, and the Glade Pillow tutorial is linked in the description. You can peek at it here, but just a heads up that some of it won’t make sense without the Into the Forest pattern in front of you.
Getting photos of this pillow proved a bit tricky, since an eager 2 year old helper often means photos like this (above). Add a 7 year old sister helper, and they quickly morph to this:
Seriously cute!
Finn was soon once again distracted by a nearby plant, so Maddie stepped in for her turn.
Big girl helper, in so many ways! After the photo shoot, Maddie wanted a turn with my camera. With the strap securely around her neck and extra reminders to be extremely careful, I let her commandeer the camera.
As a result, there’s a bit of proof of what it looks like to have quilty photo shoots with little ones’ help. My middle son was inside intently building with legos and had no interest in helping with our forest romp, but it was really fun to wander into the forest behind our house for a bit. Maddie and Finn had a wonderful time rolling around and being silly in the grass afterward.
I hope you have fun with the Glade Pillow if you do decide to make Into the Forest! My pile of triangle trimmings from past projects is so large that I knew for this one I just had to use them up immediately or else they were destined to languish with the others. Scrap busting is an art, and not one I have yet mastered!
I’m linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday and TGIFF. Finishes feel good and absolutely worth celebrating! (Especially when they are so few and far between!)
Happy sewing!
First, to introduce you to my contribution to the third Quilt Theory pattern collection! Inspired by my frequent family hikes, Into the Forest is a reminder of where you should always head–into the forest!
Take a leisurely stroll with me into the depths of nature. Into the Forest plays with two sizes of the same block to create a simple graphic tree design with a crisp and clean aesthetic, like a morning stroll through a cool forest. Inspired by the majestic evergreen trees ubiquitous in Maine, this quilt uses your 5 favorite fat quarters to make a nature inspired lap quilt finishing at 52″ x 60″. Use organic, repurposed, or naturally dyed fabrics to really become one with nature.
It seemed only natural to choose 
My Into the Forest quilt was partially pieced and quilted by me, and partially pieced and quilted by 
All of the Quilt Theory patterns are simple enough to be printed on 4″x6″ cards or a single page downloadable pdf. At only $4 each, they are perfect for gift giving or collecting, too!
Collection 3 pattern cards will be coming soon to a local quilt shop near you, and the first two collections are still available, so go ahead and ask for all of them! If you are a quilt shop and want to carry our patterns, 
Cloud 9 fabrics was generous enough to offer a fat quarter (FQ) bundle of 12 of their luscious organic cirrus solids to one of my lucky readers!
organic cotton | happy you | happy earth
He finally realized that I was on the other side taking photos! No photo shoot is complete without a kid cameo, though, right?
Wandering into a west coast forest…
Wandering into an east coast forest…
Night Quilter 