An Assortment of Pillows

Chevron pillow

     A client brought me some pieces of fabric that she wanted made into pillow covers.  These were pieces left from other projects or something she found on Etsy.

Matching the side seams

     The first was this chevron pillow.  There was enough fabric for me to be able to match the side seams, at least as well as you can with the zigzag pattern.  The cording was made from multiple pieces because there was just scraps left.

Matching the zipper opening

     I was able to pattern match at the zipper closure on the back.

Preferred centered motif

     Next was a rectangular pillow from this pretty fabric.  I wanted to center this diamond shaped motif but there wasn't enough to get the size pillow cover she wanted.

Photo for approval

     I sent her a photo with how I could center based on the amount of fabric that was available.  She said it looked great to her, so I went ahead and made that pillow.

Finished pillow

     Last was two square pillow covers that she wanted to be finished at 18".  Unfortunately she only bought a half yard so I was only able to cut 18" squares to be finished at 17".

Squares centered

     She did not want them to be the same.  On one I centered the squares down the middle....

Arrows centered

...and the other I centered the arrows down the middle.

Etsy fabric pillows

     She did not want cording on those so I put the zipper in the bottom seam.  All the pillow covers had lining and serged edges for maximum wear.

Reading Pillows

Reading pillows for the grandkids

     This past Christmas I made reading pillows for the grandkids.  I had seen the idea and designs on Designs by JuJu.  I looked briefly at the instructions they had and a bunch of samples and then went with my own version.

Pressed in crease and first line

Perpendicular lines for centering embroidery

     I used flannel that had been given to me by a friend and cotton fabric from my stash.  I cut two 18" squares from the flannel and a slightly larger square from the cotton fabric.  I wanted to be sure that if the embroidery shrunk the fabric a little it would still be big enough.

Adding fusible fleece to the back of the pocket

     I pressed in a center line and then marked a line parallel to it about 4 inches down to be the center of the embroidery.  I then marked two other lines perpendicular to that one, about 4 inches from the center to be the horizontal center of the embroidery.

Templates in place

     I added a 9 x 18 inch piece of fusible fleece to the back of the pocket, behind the markings.  I then placed the templates of the designs on to be sure everything looked good.  I hooped the fleece backed fabric in my 4 x 4 hoop and did the stitching for each of the designs.

Adding the fabric for the applique

     After the two designs were done, I then folded the fabric in half and cut a 9 x 18 inch rectangle.  I serged around the edges to keep everything neat and together.

Pocket all ready

Adding lining to the pillow fabric

     I cut two 18" squares of flannel backed lining drapery (prewashed) and serged it to the flannel pieces.  I wanted the pillow to have a little more strength than just the flannel.  I then marked a line up about 4 inches from the center and marked the middle of it.  That was the line for their name.  I used the Bookworm font in my Masterworks embroidery program. I then stitched their name and attached the pocket to the front piece.

Marking the handles

     I made a handle from a piece of flannel 4 x 18 inches.  I folded it in half and pressed to mark the center.  I then opened it up and pressed the raw edges to the center and folded back up.  I gave it a thorough pressing and then stitched close to the long edges to for the handle.  No need to make and turn a tube.  I pinned to the top of the pillow front, 5 inches in from the edges.  I basted it in place.  Next the zipper.

Marking for the zipper

     I made two marks, 2 1/2 inches in from the edge, on the bottom of the pillow front.   I then placed the front and back together with right sides facing.

Zipper line stitched

  

     I then sewed them together with a half inch seam allowance.  I started at one end and sewed to the mark, backstitching on each end.  Then I switched to the basting stitch and did that until I got to the second mark.  I then went back to the regular stitch and stitched to the end, again backstitching at each end.  The basting stitches will be much easier to remove once the zipper is in place.

Pressed open

  Press the seam open.  Tape the zipper (make sure it is partially open) in place on the wrong side using blue painters tape.  You can sew thru it and it won't gum up your needle.  The zipper should be longer than the opening so you won't hit any part of it while sewing.  I used 14" zippers.

Zipper taped in place

     Next I cut a piece of the tape, 13" by 1/2 inch.

Cutting the zipper stitching guide

     I centered this over the seam on the bottom of the pillow to use as my stitching guide.

Adding the tape for sewing

     Stitch all the way around and remove the tape.

Zipper all stitched in place

     Then just remove the basting stitches with your seam ripper and you are ready to sew the pillow closed.  Place it right sides together and stitch the last three sides with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Turn it right side out thru the zipper opening and add your 18" pillow form.

Ready for gift giving

  Buy a book for each one and you are all set.  I didn't even need to wrap them or add a name tag.  

  I had a great time choosing fabrics from my stash for the applique pieces.

Fabrics used

      I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you have any questions, you can contact me at celeste@sewmuchfun.biz.

Monogrammed Tote

Monogrammed tote

     A client brought me a tote she had purchased at Target and wanted a monogram on the pocket.  She wanted it to be as large as possible.  There were several obstacles though.

Hooped tote

     In order to hoop the bag to get it on the machine, only a 4 x 4 hoop would fit tin the front pocket.  If we chose the put the monogram on the back of the tote, it could be larger but then it would close up the inside zippered pocket.  The last option would be to take the tote apart at the top and do the monogram and sew it back up, not usually a good idea.

Monogram detail

     The client opted for a smaller monogram on the front pocket.  She chose this one from Designs by JuJu.  It is normally an applique but she didn't want any fabric in there.  I think it turned out pretty cool, a monogram that looks like a unique design.