"LOVE" Pillow

Made with the BERNINA 990

This pillow is perfect for showing off the fabulous embroidery and computerized quilting of the B 990. The pillowcase is quick to make as it features a closure with an overlap, hence there is no need to install a zipper.

The background quilting is a BQM design which can be easily combined to create a nice background for the "LOVE" embroidery design.

• Find the center of the fabric and mark it with a washaway marker or chalk.
• Layer the top fabric, batting and the embroidery stabilizer in the Giant Hoop. The stabilizer is optional as it is also possible to quilt without the backing, especially as the stabilizer is inside the pillow and won’t be seen.
• Use the template to perfectly center your fabric in the Giant Hoop, as we are using the full width of the Giant Hoop and do not have room to move the design on the machine for a final placement.

• Choose a BQM design you like. For this tutorial, we chose the circular design Q 133 from the folder Inspiration > Quilt.
• Click on the pencil symbol to open the Edit menu, then select the function Show Start/End.
• Resize the design to 3" (7.6 cm). We had to resize our chosen design to 50% of the original size. It might be different for the design of your choice.
• Choose the Giant Hoop in the hoop selection and close the hoop selection window on your screen.

• Open the View window on your screen by clicking on the eye symbol, then click on the grid twice. Close the View window.
• Open the Edit menu and duplicate the design.
• Use the Match Start/Stop to move the duplicated design below the first one.

• Select all layers by clicking on the bottom layer, group them and duplicate again. Select all layers again and use the Match Start/Stop to move the new designs below the first two.

• Select all layers, group the 4 designs and duplicate them. Move the new row to the right and mirror it with the function Image Up/Down. Zoom in to exactly place the rows next to each other.
• Select all layers and use the Center Vertical Align function in the Arrange menu to perfectly align all vertical centers.

• Select all layers, group and duplicate them. 
• Use zoom to exactly position the new group next to the first.

• Select all layers and then center your design.
• Use the Center Vertical Align function in the Arrange menu to perfectly align all vertical centers.
• Select all layers and group the whole design.
• If needed, reduce the size until the complete design fits the Giant Hoop.

• Save the design with the name "LOVE Background".
• Open the Stitchout window by clicking on the green stitchout symbol.
• In the Stitchout Summary, activate the Quilt Settings and select Single Color.

• Once the Quilt Settings are activated and Single Color is selected, let the machine quilt your background.

• When the background is finished, select the "LOVE" design in the folder Words and Sayings.
• Embroider the "LOVE" Design.
• When done, remove the fabric from the Giant Hoop.
• Trim back the batting to the edge of the quilting.
• Check if the size of the panel is 21x46 1/2" (53x118 cm). Trim the fabric if necessary.

• On the two short ends of the fabric, fold over 1/4" (0.5cm) and press with an iron. Fold and iron the ends again and use clips to hold your hem in place.
• Attach the Reverse Pattern Foot #1D and topstitch the hems in place with a straight stitch.
• Place the fabric right side up. Fold over one end, then the other. Overlap these ends to create a 20" (50cm) piece. The overlap will be the opening to stuff your pillow. Secure the folds with clips to hold them in place and sew a 1/2" (1.25cm) seam down each side.
• Neaten the raw edges with an overlocker, then turn the pillowcase inside-out while making sure the corners are well formed. Press with an iron.
• Stuff with the pillow and you have finished this project!