Make a new throw pillow to match the changing season!

I spend a lot of my free time roaming the internet (as I'm sure most people can't help but do these days!), and I've been admiring photo after photo of fellow artists homes, envious of their style and beautiful furnishings. One thing I've come across again and again is people swapping out their throw pillows with the changing seasons. This is something I made note of quite a long time ago, put on my mental to-do list, and then never got around to doing.


Well, the most wonderful thing about being the project blogger for Reprodepot, is that it gives me the opportunity to actually sit down and accomplish some of these crafty goals. And not only show all of you how quick and easy it really is, but to show myself! I completed this pillow cover in less than an hour yesterday, and literally laughed out loud at myself for putting it off for so long. Silly! And now you no longer have an excuse either because it is really so so simple! Once you make one, you'll be swapping out pillow covers every other week just because you can! And really, what better way is there to feature your current favorite patterns and colors?

For this project I used the following materials:


You'll want to start by trimming your fabric. A 1/2 yd piece measures 18 inches wide. Trim both sides so that you are making them even and straight while also creating a final width of 16 1/2 inches. I would start by trimming as little as possible from the first side, just enough to make it straight, so that you don't accidentally trim too much.

Now lay the fabric out. It should measure 16 1/2 x 42 inches. Iron out the deep crease in the middle of the fabric.

Fold both short sides (the ones featuring the selvedge) in four inches and press. Stitch along the fold with a coordinating thread. These ends will create the envelope opening where you'll insert the pillow form.


Once you have the ends folded and sewn, lay out your piece right side up. Measure 10 inches in from the edge, and mark with a pin (pin the fabric vertically). Fold the end into the middle, with the new fold at the pin place marker. Measure again to make sure it is ten inches, and remove the pin. Fold the left side 10 inches into the middle in the same manner. The left side will overlap the right as shown below.

Make sure your top and bottom edges are lined up, and pin in place.

Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, stitch a straight seam across the top and bottom open edges. Sew straight through all layers.


Use the envelope opening in the middle to turn the piece right side out. Push out the corners, and insert your pillow form. By leaving the selvedge, you don't have a raw edge inside the flaps - they won't fray! Also, with the envelope closure and the flaps overlapping by a few inches, even by lifting the outer flap you can't see the pillow form!

Here's a view of the back of the pillow, all finished and stuffed, and with a nice clean enclosure:

Which fabric will you make your first pillow case from? I can't wait to make another! I'm thinking about using this one:


It's a beautiful Marimekko print called Kukkura - blue (and it's on sale!! I better snap some up quick!) Now go make some pillows and dress up that sofa!


New Reprodepot Patterns giveaway at Pink of Perfection blog!




  

Wanna win some Reprodepot Pattern merch? The awesome Pink of Perfection blog is hosting a giveaway! Yes!


http://www.pinkofperfection.com/2009/11/reprodepot-chronicle-awesome-giveaway

Ideal Home loves our books!



The flora Reprodepot Pattern book is book of the week on the blog for the UK mag Ideal Home. So so cool.

http://homeshoppingspy.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/paper-projects-to-make-you-smile/

Ashley is tops! (but we knew that)




Big Congratulations are in order to our blogger Ashley and her adorable cake topping birds for winning the Etsy/Martha Stewart Weddings DIY Wedding contest!
Congratulations Ashley!

http://ashleyannabrown.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/diy-wedding-contest-results-are-in.html

Give thanks with these handmade placemats!

I don't know about you, but I really love this time of the year, with one Holiday after another. I'm already making preparations for a small Thanksgiving celebration with a few friends, as I'm sure many of you are, and I thought a good project to share with you this week would be a tutorial for handmade placemats! I picked out this Japanese print because it's one of my favorites right now, and it feels like autumn, but I can see myself using these in the spring time too. I also love how it's printed on linen and looks a little worn, adding some rustic charm.

To make four placemats you will need the following materials:

1 yd muslin
matching brown sewing thread

Start by cutting the yellow backing fabric into four 15 in x 19 in pieces. Cut four 13 in x 17 in pieces of each the Country Village Stripe and the muslin. The muslin will act as a liner to make the placemat a bit sturdier.

Lay one piece of the yellow backing fabric face down, and center the muslin on top of it. Lay the Country Village stripe on top of the muslin, face up, matching all four sides exactly.

Beginning at the top edge, fold the yellow edge in to meet the brown 1/4 in, and iron flat all the way across.

Fold the edge again so it overhangs the brown fabric by 1/4 in. Press flat and pin in place. Repeat for the bottom edge and pin.

Before folding the short sides, fold the corner at a 90 degree angle to form a triangle that meets the raw edge of the brown fabric. Iron to crease. Fold the opposite corner in the same manner.


Now Fold the edge of the short side in to meet the edge of the brown fabric, press, and fold again forming a 1/4 in border. Press and pin in place. Repeat for the other short side.

Now that your binding is all pinned in place, you're ready to sew. Carefully stitch all the way around, removing the pins as you sew. I kept my stitches about 1/8 in from the edge, but you can use any seam allowance you feel comfortable with.

Then you're done with your first placemat! Wasn't that easy? It's really just a matter of pressing and pinning! Now, on to making three more, and finalizing the guest list!

(PS. If you're like me, and already trying to plan out some handmade holiday gifts, a set of these placemats would make an awesome present!)

This is another favorite fabric of mine right now that would be perfect for this project:


We'll be coming up with more Thanksgiving projects in the next couple weeks, as well as getting started on some holiday ornaments and such, so be sure to keep checking back!