Presenting: the “HUG” pillow!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day or whenever someone you know could use a hug.
This is a great scrap project.  I used four different reds and four different whites in mine, but you could use even more if you like.
The hug block finishes at 12″ and the pillow at 16″.  Thinking beyond Valentine’s Day and red and white, wouldn’t this block make a darling baby quilt in softer colors or a fun, bright quilt for an older child or teen?
If you make a pillow or a quilt, please add it to my Flickr group.  Have fun!
(Note:  My apologies for an error in the cutting information in my last post.  I listed 8 white 2 1/2″ squares when it should have been 4 white 2 5/8″ squares.)
Finished size:  16″ pillow
Block size:  12″
Fabric requirements:
Red:
8 3 1/2″ squares,
8 2″x3″ pieces,
2 strips 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″,
2 strips 2 1/2″ x 16 1/2″.

White:
8 3 1/2″ squares,
4 2 5/8″ squares, (the pillow in the picture has these squares cut at 2 1/2″, so if you cut yours at 2 5/8″, your A units will match up with the B and C units better than mine did)
8 3″x4″ pieces.

Batting, lining, and backing:  16 1/2″ square
16″ zipper
Construction Steps:
There are four different units that make up this “hug” block.  A is the half square triangle in the corner unit.  B is the wedge on the left unit.  C is the wedge on the right unit and D is the double wedge unit.  The complete block requires four of each unit.
Unit A:  Draw a line from corner to corner on the wrong side of a 2 5/8″ white square.  Line the square up with one of the corners of a red 3 1/2″ square.  Sew on the drawn line.
Leaving a quarter inch seam allowance, trim the excess.  Press the white triangle open to make a 3 1/2″  unit.
Unit B:  On the wrong side of a white 3 1/2″ square make a dot 1 1/4″ to the right of the upper left corner and one 2 1/4″ below the upper left corner.  Draw a line connecting the dots. 
Matching upper left corners, place a red 2″ x 3″ piece right sides together and sew along the drawn line. 
Trim the excess between the corner and the seam and press the red piece open.  Trim away the excess red to make a 3 1/2″ unit.
Unit C:  This unit is made the same as Unit B except make the marks measuring from the upper right corner.  Match upper right corners and sew on the drawn line.  Complete as Unit B.
Unit D:  On the wrong side of a red 3 1/2″ square, make a mark 1/8″ to the right of the upper left corner and 1/8″ above the lower right corner.  Make two more marks 1 3/4″ to the right and above the lower left corner.  Connect the marks with the ones on the opposite side of the square. 
Place a white 3″ x 4″ piece, right sides together with the red square and matching the lower left corner and left edge.  This will leave some of the white poking above the top of the red square.  Sew on the drawn line. 
Trim away the excess.  Press open and trim unit to 3 1/2″ square.
To add the second wedge, turn the unit back over and extend the line drawn on the red square onto the white section. 
 
Place a white 3″ x 4″ piece right sides together with the new unit, aligning the lower right corners and the right sides.  Sew on the drawn line. 
Trim away the excess.  Press the wedge open to make a 3 1/2″ unit.
Layout the units according to the diagram:
ABCA
CDDB
BDDC
ACBA
Sew together in rows, pressing seams in alternating directions.
Sew rows together.  The block should measure 12 1/2″.
Sew the red 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ strips to the top and bottom of the block.
Sew the red 2 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ strips to the sides of the block to complete the pillow top.
Layer the pillow top with the batting and lining and quilt as desired.  My pillow is quilted in rough circle shapes about 1″ apart using red thread in the red parts and white thread in the white areas.
Using a 1/2″ seam, insert the zipper in the bottom of the pillow using your favorite method.  Lining up the raw edges of the backing and pillow front, sew the remaining three sides using a 1/2″ seam.
Turn the pillow cover right side out, insert the pillow form and give someone a hug!

(Edited to add:  linking to Connie’s linky party here)

7 Comments
  • Lisa C in GA.
    Posted at 06:56h, 27 February Reply

    I made this, and the kisses pillow, too…and wanted to tell you that A. They are AMAZING looking. I'm soooo pleased with how they turned out!! And B. It was so very much easier than I expected, to cut and piece and put together. I'm actually working on another set of pillows, too, so I haven't gotten them quilted and backed yet because I wanted to do all 4 of them at the same time. But I couldn't wait to thank you for the great tutorial 😀

  • Karen
    Posted at 07:45h, 10 February Reply

    Very cleverly done. Thanks for the tutorial – feels like cheating getting a 'circle' using only straight lines!!

    Cheers,
    Karen.

  • Quilt Inspiration
    Posted at 06:02h, 10 February Reply

    How clever! We love designs that use straight piecing to create a curved appearance. Red and white is such a classic combination but I can imagine this in many different color schemes, also in batiks or florals. This would make a great quilt block (would it be of interest to the folks who publish "100 new quilt blocks"?!) It would be fun to alternate 'hugs' and 'kisses' in a quilt!

  • iluvmybugs
    Posted at 03:39h, 10 February Reply

    Cute pillow and easy-to-follow tutorial! TFS
    ~Terry~

  • Richard Healey
    Posted at 22:36h, 07 February Reply

    Love the hug will go great with the kisses!

    http//richardquilts.blogspot.com

  • Connie
    Posted at 16:20h, 07 February Reply

    What a neat pillow and great tutorial! Looks like fun! I would love to have you share this at my linky party!
    Quilting by the River

  • Brigitte Heitland
    Posted at 15:23h, 07 February Reply

    Great tutorial, Debbie! Did I already mention that I like the way of "rough" shape of the circle? It looks very contemporary. A lap quilt made from these circle blocks must look good I guess.

Leave a Reply to Connie Cancel reply