I picked out three GO! dies - the diamond, hexagons, and the tumbler. I kind of wish I'd gotten the HST die, given that I'm considering making my warm/cool HST quilt monstrously larger, but oh well. I had a lot of fun trying out the dies, and found the cutting to create minimal waste, be super fast, and super safe. I didn't have to worry about turning the lock on my rotary cutter to protect myself (or my munchkin), and turning the crank on this little guy is kind of fun! The only issue I ran into with my GO! Baby was that I did need to clip a few threads from most of the cuts that I did, but considering the time saved, that's really a minor issue.
I had a really hard time deciding which die I wanted to use to make something with to share with you all. I wound up going with the diamonds, since I keep favorite-ing diamond projects on Flickr!
After I decided on the die I wanted to use, I started cutting into my leftover AMH scraps from my big spiderweb quilt. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to make at that point, but after I started playing around with the cut diamonds, an idea popped into my head.
I love argyle, I do, but I didn't feel like doing applique or cutting up the diamonds, so I started playing some argyle inspired layouts, and came up with a lattice design. But I wasn't feeling the love. I even balled up my diamond strips at one point and set them aside after uttering a few curses.
It wasn't until my husband moved my diamond strips around a little bit and made them more offset that I really started to dig it. I loved the way the prints popped and I felt psyched to sew the rows together.
It wasn't until my husband moved my diamond strips around a little bit and made them more offset that I really started to dig it. I loved the way the prints popped and I felt psyched to sew the rows together.
This pillow has already gone to good use - my husband is using at work as I type this to help him be more comfortable while his back continues to recuperate from his ridiculously crazy fall. He's definitely digging it!
Want to make one of your own? Here's how...
You'll need:
Various scraps that are a minimum of 5" x 11"
Neutral solid, cut into 1" strips
1. After picking out some awesome scraps for your diamonds, layer them on top of your die, then add the cutting mat on top. Roll them on through the cutter, until you have enough diamonds to cover your pillow. I made a rectangular pillow, and used 20 diamonds for mine.
2. I then laid out my diamonds as shown below, with one strip of sashing between each diamond, and one strip of sashing between each row of diamonds.
3. Once you've sewn your strips together, trim them down to the desired size. I lined my pillow top with a layer of batting and a layer of muslin, and quilted with simple straight lines.
4. Here's a handy dandy chart you can use to determine how to trim your pillow top down, as well as how to make to an appropriately sized envelope pillow back. Julie's also got some awesome pillow tips, so it's a great link to bookmark.
I hope you enjoyed this super simple tute. I really can't say enough nice things about the GO! Baby, it was a really fantastic quilty toy to play with, and I fully intend to use that hexagon die to finally make some hexagons!!
Think you'd like a GO! Baby of your own? The giveaway is officially open, for you a chance to win a GO! Baby along with three dies of your choice. Good luck!
3. Once you've sewn your strips together, trim them down to the desired size. I lined my pillow top with a layer of batting and a layer of muslin, and quilted with simple straight lines.
4. Here's a handy dandy chart you can use to determine how to trim your pillow top down, as well as how to make to an appropriately sized envelope pillow back. Julie's also got some awesome pillow tips, so it's a great link to bookmark.
I hope you enjoyed this super simple tute. I really can't say enough nice things about the GO! Baby, it was a really fantastic quilty toy to play with, and I fully intend to use that hexagon die to finally make some hexagons!!
Think you'd like a GO! Baby of your own? The giveaway is officially open, for you a chance to win a GO! Baby along with three dies of your choice. Good luck!
That's a super cute pillow, thanks for the tutorial! Love the grey sashing. :D
ReplyDeleteLove the pillow. Great tut. I so wish I had gotten the hexagon die - can't wait to see what you do with yours.
ReplyDeleteI love the pillow!! I don't have a go baby, but it looks like fun =D
ReplyDeleteAwesome pillow, Elizabeth! Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute pillow! I need to put this pattern on my possible gift giving list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!!! I am a new follower of your blog, and just made the bookshelf mini (so fun)! Any tips for creating the diamonds without a Go! Die cutter? What are the dimensions? This will make a great gift! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pillow. I love AMH and gray together!!
ReplyDeleteDarling pillow! The offset did the trick - nice!
ReplyDeleteOH wow--this is too pretty! Offsetting the diamonds was a smooth move :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! And AMH rocks my socks, as you know ;)
ReplyDeletegreat tute!! I love the offset diamonds, I would have never thought to arrange them like that. (Off to "pinterest" this to try later!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial, what a beautiful pillow, your husband is just too clever :)
ReplyDeleteEee! Love this! I'm definitely making one!! It looks so easy too.
ReplyDeleteCute cute cute pillow!! I can't wait to enter the giveaway!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great pillow! These diamonds are larger than I would've expected.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think I needed the HST die...until Angela mentioned that it trims the dog-ears! Brilliant.
Its so lovely, I really need to win one of these giveaways, I am dreaming of owning a Go! Baby :-)
ReplyDeleteHi! That is really wonderful pillow! I love the pattern with diamonds! I dream about GO!Baby, too!
ReplyDeletexxx Teje
Love this! Clever you! Am going to have to give this a try at some point..without a Go baby... :) x
ReplyDeleteCute pillow! I've just finished a quilt top with diamonds and cursed those points multiple times. What a fabulous idea to make something fun with diamonds without the blasted points having to meet.
ReplyDeleteOoo, now that's excitingly different! Clever husband - he deserves to be the first to use it.
ReplyDeleteI need to try this! My first diamond experience was a colossal failure. And... how do I get in on testing out a Go Baby!
ReplyDeleteReally good idea to add a grey sashing between the diamonds. Gives the look some clarity. I like your pillow and hope to find some time to do an own.
ReplyDeleteCute pillow! Love the gray sashing. Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDeleteDuh, you should have told me to go read this last night when we were chatting! Love the pillow--especially the in action picture :)
ReplyDelete....thanks for linking up! :)
ReplyDeleteThis cushion is fab! Loving the diamonds, and it's great to see diamonds making a come back too! Jxo
ReplyDeleteNeat pillow and I love the colors/fabrics! Looks like your husband will enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteOkay... really really classy! Love it!
ReplyDeleteI loooove that! I'd put it on my couch as a decoration!!
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial! I was lucky enough to win one of these babies a week ago (and I already have it in my possession) so I won't be entering yours (no point!) I haven't played with mine yet, but am looking forward to it! I love seeing the dies that everyone picks out!
ReplyDelete