Thursday is my day to wash the floors. So, like a good little quilter, I went into my studio to make seasonal pillow covers for my sofa pillows. This year we have decked the heck out of the halls. I don’t know what has come over us, but there are Christmas decorations all over the place. Now the sofas will be decorated, too.
I have six pillows, two of each of these designs. Lovely, but I’ve been feeling like changing them out for a little while. Today was the day for two of them. I will eventually make six different covers, hopefully before Christmas.
The first step is to cut the base fabric and backing. To determine the size needed, I measure the pillow. My pillow is 18″ square. I add 1/2″ to account for seam allowance. For the front I cut a square that is 18 1/2″ x 18 1/2″. For the back, I add six inches of length, to create the overlap needed for an envelope style closure, and divide the number by two. So, I cut two pieces which are 18 1/2″ x 12″.
For each backing piece, fold down the 18 1/2″ edge by 1/4″ and press. Fold again, and press. Then sew a line of stitching down the middle, to secure the hem. Set the backing pieces aside.
Cut a piece of batting one inch larger than the front fabric. Layer the two, and set aside. Now comes the fun part.
Hexagon wreath
I used a hexagon template from EZ Quilting by Pepper Cory. I acquired the set ages ago, I have no idea why, as I have never used it. It makes hexagons that finish at 1 3/4″. I cut out 6 hexagons in green fabrics. I laid them out to make sure I liked their placement, then stitched them together.
I made sure to start and stop my stitching line 1/4″ from the edges.
Once all six pieces are together, I pressed the seam allowances open. I then carefully turned the edges under by about 1/4″ and pressed them.
*Do not be in a rush, and zip some pieces together to take photos for your blog. You will find new, creative swearwords while you rip out the mistakes.
The wreath is then placed on the background/batting pieces, pinned in place, and stitched with a blanket stitch.
I ran a few lines of quilting around the outside of the wreath, but I wasn’t really feeling it, so I stopped. The bow is the ribbon saved from a fat quarter bundle and tacked on by hand.
Place your pillow front on your table, front side up. Lay one backing piece along the bottom edge, with the hem in the middle. I keep the folded side up, so it will be inside of the pillow when done. Place the second piece with the raw edge along the top, hem side to the middle. They should overlap by a few inches. Pin the edges, and sew all the way around. Trim the edges to within 1/4″ of the sewn line. Clip the corners, and turn right side out.
Stuff your pillow in there, and enjoy!Triangle tree
I used a triangle template from the same EZ Quilting set by Pepper Cory. They finish out at 3 1/2″ per side. I cut 9 triangles in greens, and laid them out in a pleasing arrangement. I stitched them together in pairs, then into rows, and then together.
When stitching equilateral triangles, press the seams open. That gives you nice dog ears to line up with the next pieces. Start your seam line in the valley between the pieces.
I don’t pin at all, until I get to joining the last two large pieces, where all of the points will come together. I put a pin through one piece exactly at the point, match it to the other piece, then pin them together. I get a nice point every time.
I pressed the triangle tree nice and flat, and turned a 1/4″ seam allowance.
I pinned it to the background/batting sandwich, and used a feather stitch to attach it to the background. The trunk is a brown scrap. I turned the edges under, pressed, and stitched it down with a blanket stitch.
I quilted in the seam lines of the triangles, and did a swirly background. Stitch on a star button, and the front is done. I finished it with the envelope backing.a Rafflecopter giveaway
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