Holiday Hack #1

 As my helpful 9-year-old keeps pointing out, Christmas is in 10 days. 😬

And I'm starting to realize that I need to remove some things from my to-do list (but that's another post...!). But finishing up holiday gifts is staying on the list - and here's how!

So...you joined the Strippy Improv Holiday QAL with grand plans. And you've got one block pieced. The other three aren't going to happen in the next 10 days. So what can you do instead? Make a throw pillow! 

For me, it started with this fun coffee cup/hot cocoa mug fabric from Benartex's

Country Christmas

collection. Such cute fabric! Perfect for a pillow!

Here's a quick pillow tutorial:

Make your block - I chose to fussy cut one of those cute hot chocolate cups to use in my Strippy Improv Snowglobe block. 

I framed the block, just like in the

pattern

. Then I added 4-1/2" wide strips to the right and left sides, and then to the top and bottom. This creates a pillow front that is roughly 17" square. Cut a 17" backing square as well.

This

HeatnBond Fusible Fleece

1 yard pack is perfect for creating a 16" square pillow because you can cut and fuse (2) 17" squares to the wrong side of your pillow front and back! I did straight line machine quilting to secure the fused batting in place, and then finished the pillow with a zipper.

That's it! If you have the block made already, you're halfway done! I assembled this pillow in 1 hour last night. Instant gift! (And then you can make the 4-block Strippy Improv Holiday quilt next year!)

Need the pattern? Get it here. 

Missed the QAL? Start here to catch all the tips I shared. 

And watch the YouTube videos here.