REmake your Throw Pillows
So I mentioned in an earlier post how easy it can be to take your old throw pillows and remake them with a simple slip cover. You can purchase throw pillow covers "cases" from a variety of stores including Bed Bath and Beyond, Ikea, and a few others. However, you will find that the selection quite limited and if you purchased a signature fabric; this provides another great way to incorporate it in.
To begin, you must gather the necessary tools and decided what type of closure you will be using. The common methods are snaps, buttons, or sewing it closed.
You will need:
- Paper (Large enough to make a pattern, wrapping paper is a good option),
- A sewing machine or a needle (depending on what you own and how difficult you what to make it for yourself),
- Thread,
- Snaps or Buttons (for whatever type of closure you have chosen),
- A measuring tape,
- An iron,
- The throw pillow you wish to cover or stuffing to make a new one,
- And of course your fabric.
This fabric and the snaps were purchased at a local fabric store.
Throw pillow cover with snaps
Steps:
1. Cutting out the Panels
Lay the paper out and use a drafting triangle to ensure it is even. Put the pillow on the pattern and measure the pillow. Lay the pattern on a double layer of fabric. If the fabric you are using has a pattern with large designs or a nap, check that they are aligned correctly. Pin the pattern in place and cut out the fabric pieces.
2. Tacking the Panels
Lay the fabric pieces right sides together. Ensure that the grains of both pieces align. Pin the panels together along all four sides. Tack 3/8" (1.5cm) or pin from the edge along three sides of the square. On the fourth side, stick only 2" (5cm) from both ends, leaving the center open.
Tip: If you want to ensure your edges are sharp and even, first fold 3/8" in (1.5cm) in on the fabric and press with the iron. Don't worry if the ends are not even, this fold allows you to ensure the fabric edges are even.
3. Sewing the Pieces
Use either the machine or sew by hand along the edges of the tacking stitches or pins. Careful not to stick into the ends of the opening. Fasten off at the end and remove the tacking stitches or pins.
4. Corners Be Gone
Within the seam, cut off each corner to ensure the the pillow corners will be straight and pointed when turned out. Cut away from the seam allowance to within 1/4" (6mm) of the stitching. This will reduce bulk and prevent tucking and wrinkling.
5. Closing the end
Once you turn your fabric right side out, you still have one side open. This can be closed with a simple slipstitch, snaps, or buttons.
(cited from The Complete Home Decorating Book, Nicholas Barnard)
About the Author
0 comments