Sailing Away: Portofino pillow tutorial

Sail away with us! 

We've used Ro Gregg's rich and colorful Portofino collection 

to sew the Sailing Away Pillow. 

Follow the tutorial below to make your own. 

Pillow measures 20" square

The Portofino prints we used:

You'll Need:
1 fat quarter Painter's Palette White Solid (#120-000)
1 fat quarter each:
    boat print  (#120-99041)
    orange tonal (#120-99052)
    gray tonal (#120-99063)
    blue/black tonal (#120-99051)
    green tonal (#120-99062)
    sailboats at sunset (#120-99011)
1/2 yard scenic print (#120-99001) for pillow back
22" square of batting
Fusible web
20" square pillow form

Cutting:
From the White Solid:
(1) 12-1/2" square
4) 1-1/2" squares

From the orange tonal: 
(4) 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" pieces

From the boat print: 
(2) 3" x 20-1/2" pieces
(2) 3" x 15-1/2" pieces

From the scenic print:
(2) 15" x 20-1/2" pieces 

Print the template pages here. 

Make the Pillow:
Step 1. Trace each template onto the paper side of fusible web. Cut out each shape 1/4" beyond the lines and fuse onto the wrong side of the indicated fabric. 
Sail #1: sailboats at sunset
Sail #2: orange tonal
Boat: green tonal
Pennant: green tonal
Mast: gray tonal
Wave: blue/black tonal

Step 2. Referring to the photo, position the applique pieces on the 12-1/2" white square and fuse into place.

Step 3: Sew 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" orange tonal pieces to opposite sides of the sailboat square. Sew 1-1/2" white squares to opposite ends of the remaining (2) 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" orange tonal pieces. Sew to the top and bottom of the sailboat square. 

Step 4: Sew 3" x 15-1/2" boat pieces to opposite sides of the center. Sew 3" x 20-1/2" boat pieces to the top and bottom to complete the pieced pillow top. 

Step 5: Layer the pillow top on the 22" square of batting. Machine quilt as desired and trim to measure 20-1/2" square.

Step 6: Press (1) long edge of a 15" x 20-1/2" scenic print piece over 1/4" and then 1/4" again. Topstitch to create a finished edge. Repeat on the second scenic print piece, noting orientation. 

Step 7: Layer the quilted pillow top right side up. Position the (2) backing pieces on top, matching raw edges on all sides and overlapping the finished edge in the center. Sew around all (4) sides and turn the pillow right side out. Insert the pillow form. 

Sail away! 

More Portofino Love! 

Download the FREE Portofino quilt pattern designed by Pine Tree Country Quilts here. 

See two commercial prints featuring Portofino here. 

Read an interview with Ro here. 

See the entire Portofino collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.