Janome Tutorial: XO Pillow

Hi Janome friends! It's Melanie Call from A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog and Instagram. Today I'm sharing my XO Pillow Project that I created with my Janome M17.

The XO Pillow is a fun and easy to make project for Valentine's Day. Sewing together squares to create patchwork is one of my most favorite projects. It's relaxing to sew and the project always looks great! The XO Pillow is also perfect for your stash of 2.5"squares. 

Tip: When choosing your fabric, decide if you want the X and O to be prominent or more of a mystery pattern to find.  Example: Solid fabrics will create prominent X and O, but a more scrappy look especially with low volume white squares the X and O will be less noticeable.  Choose what you like best!

I chose Lighthearted by Camille Roskelley for Moda Fabrics for my project.

Janome Tutorial: XO Pillow  18"x 18"

download PDF here

Fabric Requirements

(26) 2.5” x 2.5” RED squares. 

(55) 2.5” x 2.5” WHITE squares. 

22” x 22” Batting 

24” x 24” Pillow front backing *Optional. This fabric will be hidden in pillow interior.

Backing fabric: Size will depend on preferred method for Pillow Backing Closure

20” Nylon Zipper  *Trim to size

18” x 18” Pillow Form

Charmed Pillow Block Assembly

18.5” x 18.5” unfinished

Piecing Instructions:

·      Place (26) RED squares and (55) WHITE squares per layout diagram above. 

·      Sew together in rows using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Quilt and finish pillow with preferred method *.

My Quilting Method:  Straight-line quilting through center of each square.

- Janome M17: I used the Janome AcuFeed Open Toe Foot and 3.0 stitch length

- To mark my quilting lines, I used a ruler and Hera Marker to mark the center of each square

Zippered Pillow Backing: This is my favorite pillow closure and it's easy to change the pillow covers for seasons and washing! 

Exposed Zipper Pillow Backing Tutorial: https://abitofscrapstuff.blogspot.com/2021/10/tutorial-adding-exposed-zippered-pillow.html

PS: If you are looking for a coordinating pillow, check out my Janome Tutorial: Charmed Pillow (here) 

XO Pillow: 18" x 18" finished

I hope you make a XO Pillow for yourself or as a gift! It's a fun project that can be made in a day.  #XOPillow

Download XO Pillow PDF Pattern (here)

PPS - this project is doggy approved ... at least per my sister's pup :) . 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie Call

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