AccuQuilt Tree Owl Pillow Tutorial

How would you like to make a cute little appliqued tree owl pillow? This is a fast and easy tutorial that takes no time at all to make.

I made this with my Accuquilt GO! cutter and Accuquilt’s cute little owl die.

This die can be used to make a variety of different animals! I’ll have a link below that will take you to the free pattern that includes directions for making nine animals.

Tree Owl Pillow Tutorial

Today my tutorial uses not one but three different AccuQuilt dies. I’ll be using the GO! Owl, GO! Ohio Star 12″ finished and the GO! 2 1/2″ Strip Cutter die.

You could easily make this pillow with basic rotary cutting and then appliqueing the owl in the center.

Materials needed:

• Cream for the center blocks
• Assorted colorful scraps
• 2/3 yard of green batik for the border and backing
• Small amount of fusible for the applique
• 17 inch square of muslin
• Batting
• 16-inch square pillow form

I used my GO! BIG Electric Fabric Cutter.

Cut 4 – 4½” x 4½” squares using the 4½” square that is part of the GO! Ohio Star 12″ Finished die. You can also use the 4½” square in the 8″ Qube Mix & Match set.

I have a habit of marking my dies with the amount of fabric I want to cut for each section on the die.

I used four different cream-colored batiks for my center but you don’t have to. If you are rotary cutting – cut four 4½” squares.

Sew all seams with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Sew the 4 cream squares together to make the cream center. The block will measure 8½” x 8½”.

Island Batik had sent me a sampling of batiks that I thought would look neat in a pillow.

You can use any scraps that are at least 2½” wide. If you have a jelly roll that would work also.

I used my 2 1/2 inch Strip Cutter die to trim the pieces to 2 1/2 inch strips.

Next I rotated the strips lining them up with the 90-degree mark and cut them into 2½” squares.

If you are rotary cutting – cut 2½” squares.

Sew 4 of the 2½” squares together for each side and 6 together for the top and bottom.

Sew the sections to the center blocks.

Look through your scraps for some browns and tan fabrics for your little owl.

Here is my owl ready for applique. I used Heat & Bond Lite for my fusible and did my applique with a free-motion stitch. The piece measures 12½” x 12½”.

I decided to add a border to make my pillow a little bigger so I used the 2 1/2″ Strip cutter again.

Use: 2 – 2½” x 12½” strips and 2 – 2½” x 16½” strips for the border.

Layer your pillow top, batting and a piece of muslin.

Quilt as desired.

When I make a pillow, my hope is that it will be used and used and washed over and over. I always add muslin so the batting is enclosed on the inside of the pillow.

• Make the envelope back of the pillow. Measure two pieces of the green batik 17″ x 12″.
•  Fold 1/4″ down on the 17″ side, then fold another 1″ and top-stitch for a finished seam.
• Do this once on both pieces.
• Overlap the finished seam pieces and place right side together with the front pillow piece.
• Sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance all around the pillow.
• Turn the pillow right side out and press.
• Top-stitch around the edge of the pillow if desired.

I have a feeling I’ll be making another pillow just like this but in a different color as I have two granddaughters who think owls are the cutest.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, I really enjoy using the AccuQuilt dies and cutters.

Since I did this post, Accuquilt has come out with the Owl accessories die. The shapes include scalloped feathers, feet or antlers, a flower, a heart, a stem/branch or the base for making 3D critter projects.

All of the quilting and even the applique was done on my vintage 15-91 Singer sewing machine.

I did some cute little swirls in the background of the owl.

I made the green pillow and mentioned that with two granddaughters……I was going to have to make another pillow. I have it done!

They are going to love their new pillows!

More AccuQuilt tutorials:

• Winter Blues Table Runner
• Spring Medley Table Topper
• Rosy Pillow
• Kite Table Runner

Download this free quilt pattern Talk to the Animals