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:
1/2 yd Ume Patchwork - orange
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!
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