Artisan Pillow Series: using hand (dye) painted fabric

In my line of hand (dye) painted fabrics, I paint 8 1/2" squares along with  a 8 1/2" X 17" rectangle of hand painted coordinating fabric. In this case the dye painted panel is of blue grapes and the coordinating fabric is dots of matching colours. I thought I would try using this set to make a pillow.

For inspiration, I had been looking at 'Modern Quilts'. I don't totally understand this category but I am  fascinated with the use of negative space in these quilts. To emulate that, I added even strips of white between random sized blocks of coloured fabric. Using the colour scheme, I had selected for the painted grape panel, which was a triad of yellow-green, blue, and orange, I auditioned fabrics.

 

Although it is difficult to see in the picture, I free-motion stitched the painted panel after first ironing on a lightweight interfacing. The stitches give extra dimension and detail at the focal point.

I cut 1 3/4" strips of white and a variety of sizes of squares and rectangles of the coordinating fabrics. I found it best to complete one side, then lay out possible fabrics for the next side before cutting them. I included one large piece and one small piece of the coordinating hand dotted fabric. 

For the back, I inserted a zipper. Basting it into place first gave me good results. For a 16" square pillow form, I trimmed the cover to 17 inches, allowing for 1/2" seam allowances. I opened the zipper slightly and sewed the front and back together with right sides facing each other. I stitched across the corners and trimmed them before turning the pillow cover right side out.

 I think the square would look equally good as part of a quilt. Maybe a quilt and pillows, oh my.....