I don't often sew anything besides quilts, but when I do, it better be easy. I'd been dragging my feet, but the hideousness of my couch throw pillows overpowered my inclinations to procrastinate. Besides, I had a little fabric...
Stitch 1/8" away from the fold with the wrong side up. Repeat with the other 18" side.
Press your fabric in half by matching the 18" ends. Open the fabric up, and lay it flat with the wrong side up. Measure 8 1/2" to the right of the crease line you previously created, lining up the raw edges at the top and bottom. Press the fabric with right sides together so the fold is 8 1/2" away from the center. Do the same for the other side by measuring 8 1/2" to the left of the crease line and pressing so there is an overlap.
Pin in place and stitch 1/2" away from the raw edges on the two open sides.
Sew a diagonal line to secure the corners, and then trim the bolk just outside the diagonal line.
Flip right sides out and poke the corners into shape using a Clover Point 2 Point Turner or a tool of your choice. Stuff the pillow in, and you're done!
If you'd like to make some covers for 18" pillows, I'll guide you through the process. First, gather up a super ugly pillow that needs a classy disguise.
Cut a piece of fabric that has a 42"+ width and cut it at the 18" (half yard) mark. Take each short (18") side and press over 1/2" toward the wrong side of the fabric. I like to use the life-changing Clover Hot Press and my new Oliso iron that pops up on little feet when it doesn't sense your touch (which is why my fabric wasn't actually scorching as I took this picture). Then fold over 1/2" and press again so the raw edge is neatly tucked on the inside.
Stitch 1/8" away from the fold with the wrong side up. Repeat with the other 18" side.
Press your fabric in half by matching the 18" ends. Open the fabric up, and lay it flat with the wrong side up. Measure 8 1/2" to the right of the crease line you previously created, lining up the raw edges at the top and bottom. Press the fabric with right sides together so the fold is 8 1/2" away from the center. Do the same for the other side by measuring 8 1/2" to the left of the crease line and pressing so there is an overlap.
Pin in place and stitch 1/2" away from the raw edges on the two open sides.
Sew a diagonal line to secure the corners, and then trim the bolk just outside the diagonal line.
Flip right sides out and poke the corners into shape using a Clover Point 2 Point Turner or a tool of your choice. Stuff the pillow in, and you're done!
Woohoo! on those fabulous-looking pillows. I, also, seem to have gotten away from any other sewing, even though I purchased some fabric for a skirt at the quilt show. Now it's a game of "let's see if we can get this done." Nice tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tutorial. It sounds so simple but I'm not sure I understand the third sentence in the paragraph that starts with Find the midpoint. You say to press; do you mean fold the fabric to the 8.5 inch mark? Maybe I would understand it better by actually doing it but this part confused me.
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