I started by cutting 19 squares measuring 3 1/2″ from Alexander Henry’s grey crosshatch using my 3 1/2″ square Sizzix die. Then I appliqued the letters needed to spell “Valentine,” “Kiss,” “Heart,” and “Love” using two prints from Basic Grey’s Kissing Booth and Sizzix Lollipop Shadow Alphabet Dies.  I applied the letters using a fusible webbing.

Next I sewed the word “Valentine” together with 1/4″ seams.  I cut all the “filler” pieces that I needed out of the crossword print.  You can use the Sizzix 3 1/2″ strip cutter for many of these.  I cut the narrow red border to 1″ using the 1″ strip cutter. The solid Kona medium grey borders were cut with a 2 1/2″ strip cutter.  I applied fusible fleece to the back of the pillow sham front and quilted around the edge of each letter, in straight lines in the grey section, and in a meandering box pattern in the crossword sections.

I made the back of the pillow a simple envelope closure and bound in the red grunge print.  The finished dimensions of the sham are 27″ x 20″.

If you want to make one, you’ve got a month still till Valentine’s Day!