2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge Announced
You’re invited to participate in the Nancy Zieman Productions 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge. Brainstorm, browse, design, and plan. Then, sew a pillow! Enter the NZP 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge by emailing your image to [email protected].
Make a pillow to showcase your sewing talents. Entries may be for any occasion, any color, or any size (that fits on a sofa or comparable household furniture). Sew a pillow using as much imagination as you like. You may enter ONE pillow: Pillow must be completed within the last year and not entered in previous Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenges.
2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge Guidelines
- Select or create your design.
- All sewing, quilting, serging, machine embroidery, and embellishment techniques are eligible!
- You may enter ONE pillow: It must be completed within the last year and not entered in previous Nancy Zieman Pillow Challenges.
- Grab our Pillow Sewing Challenge blog badge and let your friends know about this fun Sewing Challenge.
- Email your photo to [email protected] by March 19, 2019. One entry per sewist; open to continental US residents only.
- A panel of judges will review entries
- Elected winners will be announced, here at the NZP BLOG, on March 26, 2019.
Afternoon Picnic Floating Star Pillow Tutorial
Supplies
Nancy Zieman’s NEW! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack from Riley Blake Designs. We’ve selected one fat quarter of each of the following fabrics: Afternoon Picnic Blue Gingham, Afternoon Picnic Cream Main, Afternoon Picnic Blue Rose, Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal, Afternoon Picnic Blue Tonal, Afternoon Picnic Blue Flower, Afternoon Picnic Blue Floral, and Afternoon Picnic Blue Main.
Optional: Use Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman to create half-square triangles!
Cut Fabric Squares
- Cut four 3-1/2″ squares of Afternoon Picnic Blue Gingham and Afternoon Picnic Cream Main
- Cut four 3-7/8″ squares of Afternoon Picnic Blue Rose, Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal, Afternoon Picnic Blue Tonaland Afternoon Picnic Blue Flower.
- Cut four 3-1/2″ by 6-1/2″ rectangles of Afternoon Picnic Blue Floral
- Cut one 6-1/2″ square of Afternoon Picnic Blue Main
Create Block for Pillow Front
Floating Stars Pillow Half-Squares
- Create eight half-square triangle blocks with 3-7/8″ squares cut from Afternoon Picnic Blue Rose and Afternoon Picnic Cream Tonal.
- Create eight half-square triangle blocks with 3-7/8″ squares cut from Afternoon Picnic Blue Tonal, and Afternoon Picnic Blue Flower.
- Stack two squares, right sides together.
- Mark each block set from one corner to the opposite corner with marking pen and No-Hassle Triangles Gauge or ruler.
- Set machine for scant 1/4″ seam. Align edge of presser foot with marked line, and stitch along one edge.
- Chain stitch blocks! Kiss the next block set to the stitched block, and chain stitch from one to the next.
- Rotate blocks and chain stitch along the second side of the marked line. Clip threads between blocks.
- Cut blocks apart along center markings with a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat.
Assemble Blocks
- Layout block following diagram. Rotate squares as necessary.
Join Squares
- Chain stitch from one square set to the next. Clip threads between. Press seams open or to one side.
- Continuing working in pairs to join all squares.
- Place square sets, right sides together, in pairs. Chain stitch from one square set to the next. Clip threads between sets. Press seams open or to one side.
- Chain stitch from one square set to the next. Clip threads between sets. Press seams open or to one side. Place square sets, right sides together, to form rows. Press seams open or to one side.
- Stitch rows together to create complete block. Press seams open or to one side.
Assemble Pillow
Supplies
- One Afternoon Picnic Floating Star quilt block 18-1/2″ x 18-1/2″ (above)
- 3/8 yard Afternoon Picnic Cream Main for pillow back
- 7″ length of hook and loop tape
- One 18″ pillow form insert
Create 18″ pillow back using two fabric rectangles cut 18-1/2″ x 12-1/4″ — Follow Envelope Pillow Back instructions over at our Make an Easy Envelope Back Lattice Pillow Blog Posting.
Enter the 2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge
Sew a pillow and enter the 2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge by emailing a photo to [email protected] It’s easy! See entry details above.
Schedule:
- February 26, 2019—Pillow Sewing Challenge Opens
- March 19, 2019—Pillow Sewing Challenge Deadline to Enter
- March 20–March 25, 2019—A Panel of Judges Reviews Entries
- March 26, 2019—Winners Announced! All decisions made by judges are final.
Sew Floating Stars Quilt with the Afternoon Picnic Lap and Double/Queen Quilt Pattern
2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge
Over $1,000 in prizes!
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
- June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler, Cut ‘n Press II, T-shirt Transformation Ruler, T-shirt Project, Fusible Interfacing, Quilt As You Go: Casablanca Placemats, Morning Blend Table Runner, Sophisticated Strips Quilt, Baby Bibs and Uplifting Inspirational Mug Mat. $210 value
- dime Designs in Machine Embroidery The Flower Box Quilt and the Quilting Stabilizer Bundle $140 value
- Riley Blake Designs Lori Holt includes a Farm Girl Vintage Fat Quarter Bundle, Lori Holt Chunky Thread, Lori Holt Pretty Pins, a Lori Holt Happy Charm, and a pair of Riley Blake Designs Embroidery Scissors. $130 value
- Clover Wonder Fuse, The Ultimate Quilt ’n Stitch Presser Foot, Roll & Press, Wonder Clips, Snag Repair Needles and a Magnet Pin Caddy. $110 value
- C&T Publishing, $100 code toward the purchase of any product on the C&T Publishing website ctpub.com a $100 value
- Pellon EZ-Steam II Sheets: EZ25S, EZ Steam II Tape: EZ2-20T, EZ-Steam II Tape: EZ2-40T, Fabric Magic: PMAGIC301, Fuse-N-Tear: 371R, 100% Cotton Jelly Roll Batting Strip: FJR-2525, Decorative Pillows Twin Pack: 2DPI1818, Indian Cotton Fabric 300 Count Ivory: 300TC2024IVY, Indian Cotton Fabric 300 Count White: 300TC2024WHT, Nature’s Touch 100% Cotton Craft Size: F/NCP-3445, Polyester Batting Craft Size: PB-3445. $85 value
- Inspiring-Stitches Four pack of the Sew Hometown Block of the Month pattern. $80 value
- Nancy’s Notions New! Learn How to English Paper Piece Starter Set. The set includes the book, which is a collaboration between Nancy’s Notions and Carolina Moore, 1″ Hexagon Paper Pieces, 1½” Hexagon Paper Pieces, Fabric Glue Pen, Fiskars Micro Tip Scissors, Best Press Starch Alternative-No Scent and InvsiaFil Winter Sky Gray Thread . $79 value
- Nancy Zieman Productions NEW! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack and Afternoon Picnic Quilt Pattern. $72 value
- Mary’s Productions and Mary Mulari Family Girls Apron Pattern, Hipster Apron Pattern, Table Topping Pattern, Adventures with 5-inch Fabric Squares and more a $60 value
- The Best of Sewing With Nancy Nancy Zieman The Rest of The Story, by Richard Zieman, book and DVD and I Sew For Fun, by Nancy Zieman, book and DVD. $45 value
Be sure to join in and follow the 2019 Nancy Zieman Productions Pillow Sewing Challenge at the NZP Blog. Deadline to enter is, Tuesday, March 19, 2019! See entry details above.
For a chance to win Nancy Zieman’s New! Afternoon Picnic Fat Quarter Pack please leave a comment below and let us know if you’ll be joining the Nancy Zieman Productions 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge!
The randomly selected winner of a Carefree Curves Template Set, is Mary Wallis.
Her comment is: I love your Carefree Curves template set. I have always been fascinated by the drunkards path quilt pattern, but never courageous enough to tackle it. These templates and Nancy’s instructions would make it so much easier to make!
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
DebbieW
I’m packing to move, so won’t be joining the Nancy Zieman Productions 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge!
Susan Spiers
I would love to enter this challenge! Thank you, Susan
Harikleia Sirmans
Yes, I will be joining the pillow sewing challenge. Thank you.
Patti A.
I could sure use some new pillow covers. Thinking of joining along, looks like fun.
CARLA
I will not be entering this contest as I’m busy making baby items for my great-grandson who is simply adorable. But thank you for the invite. I’m sure we will see some wonderful pillows after the contest finishes.
Cheryl M
I’ll be joining this challenge. Pillows make great additions to your decor
Clovis
Yes, I will enter. Thank you.
Sharon Pankratz
Sounds like fun. I will be joining in. Thanks for the challenge.
Bonnye
I am unable to join the challenge because I will be caring for a neighbor who has a recent health problem. However, looking forward to next year’s challenge.
Lorraine Alves
I have made a variety of pillow covers in the past but never using quilt blocks. If time allows after some surgery issues, I would enjoy the challenge this contest provides.
Diana
I would like to participate but my machine is in for repair and I don’t know how long it will be there.
Hannah W
I have a pillow on my to make list…perhaps I will get it done in time to enter. Thanks for the prompt to get going
Theresa
Love the colors in Afternoon Picnic.. clear and refreshing like a summer day. I will be entering the challenge and appreciate the opportunity. Thank you
MoeWest
I would love to join this challenge but I am excluded since I’m Canadian.
Leslie Marling
I am seriously considering joining in this challenge. I am in between projects and this should be a quick one to do before I start another quilt. Thanks for offering such great prizes!
Teri
I would love to join the challenge.
kathy rucker
Iwill join the challenge. WhenI get frustrated with some quilts, I often say it will just be a pillow….
Midge
I want to join this challenge! I think it will be exciting to design my own pillow!
Pat
I will definitely be entering the pillow challenge. I plan to enter a heirloom style pillow.
Marie
I have already been working on the pillow I will submit in the challenge. Decorator pillows are great gift ideas, too! Thanks.
Kathryn Englebretsen
Don’t have time to enter challenge but this reminds me that I have a needlepoint pillow front completed that needs a back and a pillow. I need to finish that before I start a new pillow.
Barb K
I believe I might enter, if I can think of a good design.
Debe
Yes, I plan to enter. This cushion is very beautiful.
Shirley Clark
I hope I can get a pillow made to enter the challenge. I’ve always loved seeing all of the entries!
Marylou
I would love to enter but just had hip surgery and afraid I will have to wait until the next challenge-do you love the pillow-the fabrics are so cheerful!
shirley grade
I am hoping to get a pillow done in time,
thanks
Kaye M
I enjoy making pillows and often make them to use for gifts. I hope I can make one to enter in your contest.
Lori M.
Thank you for the Pillow tutorial and I am loving the idea of designing a pillow for this challenge…
judy
Looking forward to the challenge. Should be fun.
Beverly
I always look forward to your challenges and so enjoy seeing the wonderful creative entries, but I fear my mind is blank as I am trying to think what I could possibly make worthy of entry so I probably will not be creating an entry this time.
Bev Bolduc Aldridge
I have been following Nancy Zieman and her projects and tips for many years. Nancy has been a testament to her love of sewing and making life easier without giving up/in. I have made many clothes and other sewn items which all turned out great using her methods. I am hoping to create a pillow for the Nancy Zieman Productions 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge, just need to figure out what size to make.
Janet johnson
This is so exciting. I don’t know if I will finish a prize-winning pillow in time but I will be thinking about it and I hope to give it a try.
Cindie Ignash
I have a design in mind. I hope I can complete it in time.
Bridget
I am hoping to enter the pillow challenge. Hopefully time will allow!
Douglas
I’m planning to participate abmnd some year i might actually win something!
Susan
Love making pillows as they really are wonderful accent pieces in decorating. The Riley Blake fabrics shown are just beautiful and would make terrific looking pillows.
Peg Cox
Thinking of joining this challenge. Have a quilt design in mind that might work well with same.
Gloria
This sounds like something I would be interested in. Let the ideas begin to flow….
Debbie Whaley
I plan to join this challenge.
Luanne Spinell
I have already entered the 2019 challenge with a throw pillow I made for my antique rocking chair. It was fun to make. I’ll try again next year too.
Sue Thole
I have already submitted my entry – a memory pillow I made for a neighbor last fall. Thank you for this challenge.
Margaret Crowder
Pillows are a quick way to spruce up a room. And with spring (hopefully) right around the corner, I am considering joining this challenge. Thank you!
Andrea Fitanides
I hope I will be able to enter the challenge. The first step will be to come up with a design.
Renuka Girish
I am planning to join this challenge. Thank you for providing this opportunity, NZP. The challenges encourage me to try out new projects.
Katherine D
I have entered my pillow and look forward to seeing all of the entries!
Karen
Looking forward to seeing all the beautiful designs everyone comes up with. If I can get a pillow designed and made this week, I will be entering too! Thanks for the opportunity to participate.
Mary A Wiley
I have recently made 3 pillows. I will submit a pic of 1 of them.
Lorraine
Yes, I’ve submitted an entry.
Terri mcdonald
I made a cute pillow and submitted it yesterday.
Sandy Otremba
Got my pillow done just in time
Susan Platz
Challenges are fun and I look forward to entering,,,thank you
BevM
Is the pillow challenge still on? No more mention has been made of it. I sent in an entry to the email address a couple of days ago, but did not receive any confirmation. Today is the last day for entering, so I expected a reminder.
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC
Hi Bev, Thank you for your interest in the 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge. Photo entry submissions closed at midnight, yesterday–Tuesday March 19, 2019. We received your entry! All participants entered into the 2019 Pillow Sewing Challenge received a confirmation email from the NZP team today. Please email us with any questions at [email protected].
ms.
I love the cheerful picnic pack.
Barbara Hughes
I entered my pillow February 26th. Just finished it when I found the Challenge so decided to enter.