Pillow Talk

When I promised a tutorial on crafting your very own embellished pillows a la my finally finished banquette, I didn't realize that I hardly had enough photo documentation to truly deliver on that promise.  However, I shall certainly try.  Here goes...

Fabric Flower Pillows
Using a bowl, I traced a four petal flower shape onto my fabric.  My pillows are 26" square, so I went with a 14" flower for the base.  I used scalloped shears to cut the fabric.  You will need three flowers this size.  They don't need to be perfect!

Next, trace and cut out three similar, but smaller (I went with 11") four petal flower shapes.

Stack your three large flowers and then top them with the three smaller flowers.

Fold the stack in half and sew very tightly through all layers, kind of bunching the spot where you sew. I did this by hand.

Twist the flower shapes in opposite directions (one clockwise, the next counter clockwise, etc.) until the flower is tight, fluffed and holds its shape.

I used a safety pin (from the inside) to attach it to my pillow cover.  Mine are so big that they do tend to flop.  I would use this method on lighter weight fabric and smaller flowers next time :-)

Ruffled Pillow

I don't have a picture to demonstrate this so easy technique, so bear with me as I try to explain.  Again, my pillows are large (26" square) so I started with a 52" strip of my decorative fabric that was 6" wide.  A good rule when ruffling is to start with twice the amount of fabric that you want to end up with once gathered.  I cut my strips out with scalloped shears.  Next, down the center of the fabric strip, sew the widest, straightest stitch your machine will do.  Don't lock either end of the stitch.  (What do you actually call that??  I am trying to say, when you start your stitch, don't then go backwards a few stitches before continuing to go forward.  Get it?)  Once it is done, gather the fabric along the thread to make a ruffle.  You have to proceed lightly with this so as to not pop your thread.  If it does pop, just go back and sew another straight line where you left off and gather from there.  Sew the ruffle onto the front of the pillow cover, going down the middle of the ruffle.  Then proceed with sewing the back on the pillow as usual.

Okay, so that's as clear as mud?  I thought so.
Next time I'll do better :-)
xoxo