Salty Square Pillow
Frame a favorite saying with contrasting prints to make a pillow with something to say. This version uses straight pieced borders and an envelope back.
Finished cover: 18″ × 18″
Pillow insert: 20″ × 20″
Center options: 4½″, 5″, or 10″ square, measured before sewing
For a plump pillow, this pattern makes the finished cover 2″ smaller than the insert. The front measures 18½″ × 18½″ before the back is attached; the extra ½″ provides the seam allowances.
This pattern is inspired by the sample photo. The borders are pieced flat; the narrow accents are fabric strips rather than piping. A smaller center square gets a wider main border, so all three versions make the same size cover.
Materials
- One Salty Square, trimmed to 4½″, 5″, or 10″ square
- ⅛ yard each of two contrasting accent fabrics, or suitable scraps
- ½ yard of a coordinating print for the main and outer borders
- ¾ yard of backing fabric
- One 20″ pillow insert
- Matching thread, sewing machine, iron, rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
Yardages assume at least 40″ of usable fabric width and nondirectional prints. Allow extra for matching patterns or positioning a particular part of a print.
Pattern status: Measurements have been calculated for the three center sizes; this draft has not yet been tested by sewing a sample.
Before you cut
Measure your center square and choose its column below. Current hand-printed Salty Squares may be 4½″ or 5″; the FreeSpirit collection arriving April 2027 includes two square sizes. Use the actual cut measurement of your fabric when choosing a version. Keep the saying centered, with at least ¼″ clear of the lettering on every edge for the seams.
Use ¼″ seam allowances throughout. All cutting measurements below include seam allowances. Sew with right sides together, and press after each seam. Press border seams away from the center, or open if that keeps them flatter.
Cutting the front
The measurements are width × length. Cut two pieces of every border listed. “Sides” means left and right; “top/bottom” means the two horizontal strips added after the sides.
| Piece | Fabric | 4½″ center | 5″ center | 10″ center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center — cut 1 | Saying square | 4½″ × 4½″ | 5″ × 5″ | 10″ × 10″ |
| Inner accent: sides — cut 2 | Accent A | 1″ × 4½″ | 1″ × 5″ | 1″ × 10″ |
| Inner accent: top/bottom — cut 2 | Accent A | 1″ × 5½″ | 1″ × 6″ | 1″ × 11″ |
| Main border: sides — cut 2 | Coordinating print | 5″ × 5½″ | 4¾″ × 6″ | 2¼″ × 11″ |
| Main border: top/bottom — cut 2 | Coordinating print | 5″ × 14½″ | 4¾″ × 14½″ | 2¼″ × 14½″ |
| Outer accent: sides — cut 2 | Accent B | ¾″ × 14½″ | ¾″ × 14½″ | ¾″ × 14½″ |
| Outer accent: top/bottom — cut 2 | Accent B | ¾″ × 15″ | ¾″ × 15″ | ¾″ × 15″ |
| Outer border: sides — cut 2 | Coordinating print | 2¼″ × 15″ | 2¼″ × 15″ | 2¼″ × 15″ |
| Outer border: top/bottom — cut 2 | Coordinating print | 2¼″ × 18½″ | 2¼″ × 18½″ | 2¼″ × 18½″ |
Backing, all versions: Cut two rectangles, each 18½″ wide × 13″ high.
Piece the pillow front
1. Frame the saying
Sew the two inner accent side strips to the left and right edges of the center square. Press. Add the inner accent top and bottom strips and press again.
The block should now measure 5½″, 6″, or 11″ square, depending on the center size. The finished inner accent border will be ½″ wide.
2. Add the main print border
Sew the main border side strips to the block, then press. Add the main border top and bottom strips and press.
For every version, the block should now measure 14½″ × 14½″.
3. Add the narrow outer accent
Sew the outer accent side strips to the block, press, then add the top and bottom strips. Sew carefully: this accent finishes at just ¼″ wide.
The block should now measure 15″ × 15″.
4. Add the outer print border
Sew on the outer border side strips, press, then add the top and bottom strips. Press the completed front.
The front should measure 18½″ × 18½″. Check that it is square and the saying is upright. Trim only small uneven edges; if the measurement is substantially off, check the seam allowances before continuing.
Make the envelope back
5. Hem the opening edges
On each backing rectangle, choose one 18½″ edge for the opening. Fold that edge ½″ toward the wrong side and press. Fold another ½″, press, and stitch close to the inner folded edge.
Each backing piece should now measure 18½″ wide × 12″ high. For a directional print, hem the bottom edge of the upper piece and the top edge of the lower piece so both prints will be upright on the finished pillow.
6. Layer the cover
Place the pillow front right side up. Place the upper backing piece right side down over it, matching its raw top and side edges to the front. Its hemmed edge will face the middle.
Place the lower backing piece right side down, matching its raw bottom and side edges to the front. The hemmed edges should overlap by 5½″. Pin or clip around the outside, securing the overlap at both sides.
7. Sew and finish
Sew around all four edges with a ¼″ seam allowance. Backstitch at the start and finish, and reinforce the stitching where the envelope opening meets the side seams.
Finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch or serger, keeping the finished seam line intact. Clip a little fabric from each corner without cutting the stitches.
Turn the cover right side out through the envelope opening. Gently push out the corners and press the edges. Insert the 20″ pillow form through the opening and settle it into all four corners.
Make it yours
Try a small-scale print with a black as a main color for one of the narrow borders. It picks up the black in the Salty Square and ties the pillow together, whatever other fabrics you choose.
Use a larger, expressive print for the main border. With a 4½″ or 5″ saying square, that wider border gives your fabric more room to play.
Pattern status: Measurements have been calculated for the three center sizes; this draft has not yet been tested by sewing a sample.
