Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects (7 page)

Starting at the top left corner on the first pillow panel, mark the following measurements across the top raw edge: 5
¹
/
₂
″, 14
¹
/
₂
″, and 23
¹
/
₂
″. Then, measure and mark the same increments across the bottom raw edge. Using your yardstick, line up each of the 2 coordinating marks and draw a line between them. Repeat this process and mark the same measurements along both of the side raw edges, lining up the 2 coordinating marks and drawing a line between them.

Step 7. Attach the circles to the marked pillow panel.

Place the circles onto the front of the pillow panel in a pleasing arrangement, centering each over the cross marks. Press the circles in place following the manufacturer’s instructions for fusing on the Wonder Under. Then, machine appliqué
*
completely around the outside edge of each circle with a tight satin stitch (a very close zigzag stitch), backstitching at each end.
(
FIGURE 7
)

*
See page 171
for an explanation of machine appliqué.

Step 8. Attach the front and back pillow panels together.

With the
Right
sides together place the front pillow panel onto the back pillow panel, matching up the raw edges, and pin them in place. Stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam around the raw edges on the pillow panels, leaving a 14″ opening centered on the bottom of the panels and backstitching at each end. Trim all 4 corners of the pillow panels, being careful not to clip into your stitching. Then, turn the panels
Right
side out, using a turning tool to push out the corners and press the panel flat.

*
See page 172
for an explanation of a turning tool.

Step 9. Finish the pillow.

Insert the pillow form through the bottom opening of the pillow cover, matching up the corners on each. Fold the bottom opening in
¹
/
₂
″ and pin the opening closed. Slip stitch
*
the opening closed by hand.
(
FIGURE 9
)

*
See page 171
for an explanation of slip stitching.

BIG DOT PILLOW - FIGURE 7

BIG DOT PILLOW - FIGURE 9

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 1

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 2

LAYOUT FOR THE ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW

FINISHED SIZE: 18″ DIAMETER

FABRICS

• 3
¹
/
₂
yards (44″-wide) mid-weight cotton for the pillow

• 18″ round pillow form

OTHER SUPPLIES

• Coordinating thread

• 1 small spool of button/carpet thread for gathering the ruffles

• Freezer paper or any heavier paper, 18″ wide

• 12″ piece of string

• Pencil

• Yardstick

• Chalk pencil or fabric marker

• Scissors

• Turning tool (such as a closed pair of scissors)

• Straight pins

• Hand sewing needle

NOTES

• All seams are
¹
/
₂
″ unless otherwise stated. (The
¹
/
₂
″ seam allowance is included in all cutting measurements.)

• Preshrink your fabric by washing, drying, and pressing it before starting your project.

Step 1. Make the pillow pattern piece.

First, make a 19″ circle on the dull side of the freezer paper by taking the string and tying one end to the pencil. Measure from the point on the pencil down the string 9
¹
/
₂
″ and make a knot. Push a long straight pin through the knot and place it in the middle of the freezer paper. Next, using your pencil like a compass, draw a circle while keeping the string taut. Cut out the circle.
(
FIGURE 1
)

Step 2. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.

With
Right
sides together, fold your fabric in half lengthwise, matching up the selvage edges. Using a yardstick and a chalk pencil, and following the measurements below, measure and mark the ruffle strips on the
Wrong
side of the fabric and cut out each panel. Then open up the rest of your fabric and place it
Wrong
side facing up. Measure and mark the rosette strip parallel to the selvage edge but not including it. Then, using the round pillow pattern piece you made in step 1, cut 2 pillow panels out of the rest of the fabric.
(
FIGURE 2
)

• Cut 4 ruffle strips: 10″ wide × 60″ long

• Cut 1 rosette strip: 5″ wide × 60″ long

• Cut 2 round pillow panels: Use the pattern piece you made in step 1.

Step 3. Attach the ruffle strips together.

First, take 2 ruffle strips and place them
Right
sides together matching up the short side raw edges. Attach by stitching a
¹
/
₂
″ seam across one of the short ends of the strips. Then, take the next 2 strips and repeat this step to attach them to each other and then to the other strips to make one long ruffle. Press each seam allowance open.
(
FIGURE 3
)

Step 4. Make the ruffle.

a.
First, fold the long ruffle strip in half lengthwise with
Right
sides together and pin in place. Stitch a
¹
/
₂
″ seam down both short ends and along the long side raw edge, leaving a 10″ opening. Then, trim all 4 corners in the seam allowance, making sure not to clip the stitching.
(
FIGURE 4A
)

b.
Next, turn the ruffle strip
Right
side out, using a turning tool to push out the corners. Then, fold the seam allowances under
¹
/
₂
″ at the opening and press.

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 3

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 4A

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 4C

ROUND RUFFLE PILLOW - FIGURE 5