|
Learn To Sew
Like a Pro
with these expert resources.
Secrets
Of Sewing
is a comprehensive
sewing instruction program with over 300 pages
of vital sewing information. To help you
maximize your learning, it comes with a helpful
work book designed to guide you step by step to
learn to sew.
In addition to the core
textbook and work book, there are several very
useful bonuses that you will treasure for years
as you learn to sew.
My
Sewing Dictionary
is a vital tool for you as
you learn to sew. There are many specialty
terms used in sewing, quilting, and crafting
that have special meanings. My Sewing
Dictionary provides both a PDF ebook format and
an easy to use sofware that makes it easy to
acces the definition and explanation of each
sewing term.
The Rotary Cutting
Guidebook
Many beginning sewers
overlook the special skills and details
involved in laying out patterns as well as
cutting out patterns and fabrics. The Rotary
Cutting Guidebook reveals the vital secrets you
need to learn how to sew and cut out your
projects.
To learn more about this
special instruction course CLICK
HERE.
For more learning
opportunities explore the complete sewing
education package.
CLICK
HERE.
To Learn about hand sewing
and needle arts CLICK HERE.
|
How To
Sew Pillows
Or
Decorative Pillows You Can Make Yourself - How
to Sew Your Own Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are one of the
most common forms of home decor. They are
typically available in a wide variety of styles
and colors and can be purchased from most home
furnishings stores. But if you want more than
one or two accent pillows for your sofa, the
cost can really start to add up.
An alternative to
store-bought decorative pillows is making your
own. Though it may seem like a complicated
project, it's really quite simple and can be
accomplished with just a few basic sewing
skills. One of the biggest benefits to making
your own pillows is that you can choose the
exact fabric and size that you want. And
surprisingly, your handmade throw pillows will
cost you less than the ones you might find in a
store. Follow the steps below and you'll have
your own custom accent pillow in no time!
Choose Color and Feel
The first thing you'll want
to do is think about what color and type of
fabric you want to use. Look at your other room
decor and take into consideration the overall
color scheme. Do you want your pillows to
complement what you already have or stand out
as a bold accent?
Once you've decided on
color(s), think about what type of feel you
want the pillows to have. Would you prefer a
soft, cushiony pillow or one that has some
stiffness so that you can lean up against it?
Also take into account the ease of sewing. If
you're a beginning sewer, you might want to
choose a weightier, more closely knit fabric
like cotton that's suitable for drapery. Silk
and some polyesters that have a "sheen" to them
will be more difficult to sew.
Decide on a Size
Before you can buy your
fabric and start sewing, you need to determine
what size your pillows will be. If you already
have some throw pillows in your home, measure
them to see how large they are and then decide
if you want your homemade ones to be bigger or
smaller. If you will be placing your pillows on
a couch or chair, take into consideration the
height of the back and how much space you want
the pillows to take up.
Buy Your Fabric and Sewing
Supplies
Visit a local fabric store
to purchase the supplies you'll need to make
your decorative pillows. If there isn't one
nearby, you can also find lots of fabric and
supplies online. Or, you may have an existing
item of clothing or other fabric in your home
that you want to recycle for this project.
Before you buy your fabric,
you'll need to determine how much you need. Add
1 - 1/2 inches to the pillow size you decided
on so that you'll have room for sewing the
pieces together. For example, if you are making
an 18 inch by 18 inch pillow, you should buy
enough fabric to have two squares that are at
least 19 inches by 19 inches. Explain your
project and measurements to the salesperson at
the fabric store and they will be able to cut
you the amount of fabric you need.
You'll also need to buy
something to "stuff" your new pillows. You can
either use batting, which is loose stuffing, or
a pre-made pillow form insert. Batting is
cheaper and can be divided up for multiple
projects, but pillow forms hold their shape
better. You might want to look at any throw
pillows you currently own and see which type of
stuffing they use to make your decision. If you
decide to use a pillow form, make sure to buy
one that is a few inches larger than the size
pillow you'll be making. This will ensure that
your pillow ends up fluffy and not flat.
If this is your first time
sewing, you'll also need to buy some basic
supplies. First, check around your house to see
if you already have some of them. You'll need a
good pair of scissors, pins, a needle and
thread that matches your fabric. (If you plan
to use scissors you already own, make sure they
are sharp enough to cut fabric.) You may have
an old sewing kit that you got from a hotel
which you can use, as long as you haven't
previously used a lot of the thread in the
color you'll need.
Prepare to Sew
Lay out your fabric on a
flat surface. Using a ruler or measuring tape,
draw two squares that are the size you
ultimately want PLUS an extra 1 - 1/2 inches.
Carefully cut them out with your scissors and
lay them on top of each other with the outsides
facing in. (You are going to sew your pillow
inside-out and then reverse it to hide the
stitching.) Pin the two pieces of fabric
together by inserting a pin about every 2-3
inches.
Sew Your Pillow
Cut a long piece of thread
(about 2 feet long) and insert it through the
needle. Pull the thread through until you have
two equally-long pieces of thread hanging from
the needle. Tie the two pieces together at the
bottom so that you will be sewing with "double"
thread. (An easy way to tie a knot is to hold
the two pieces of thread together, wrap them
around your index finger, roll it off with your
thumb and then pull the mess of thread towards
the end into a knot).
When you begin sewing,
remember to position your stitches about a half
inch from the edge of the fabric. When you
reach the end of a length of thread, make the
smallest stitch you can and pass your needle
through the loop before pulling the thread all
the way through. Sew three sides of your pillow
all the way, but only sew 2-3 inches on each
end of the fourth side. (You will probably need
to re-thread your needle multiple times). This
will leave you an opening to insert the pillow
form or stuffing. Remove the pins. Snip off a
little of each corner of your pillowcase, being
careful not to cut your stitches, so that the
fabric won't bunch up when you turn it inside
out.
Put the pillowcase inside
out through the opening on the fourth side.
Push out the corners to get them as pointy as
you can. Flatten out the pillowcase and fold in
the edges of the opening on the fourth side so
that they line up with the parts you've already
sewn shut. Iron the folded-in opening flat so
that it will be easier to sew closed later.
Insert your stuffing or
pillow form into the pillowcase, making sure to
push it all the way into the corners. Thread
your needle again and made a knot. To make a
hidden stitch, hold the pillow so that the
opening runs lengthwise, almost like an open
envelope. There will be a flap of fabric on the
top and bottom of the opening created from the
ironing. Make a stitch along the crease of the
top flap on the far right side of the opening.
Pull the thread all the way through and then
make a similar-length stitch along the crease
of the bottom flap on the far right side (your
stitches should line up with each other across
the opening). Pull your thread tight and the
two sides of the opening will be pulled
together. Start your next stitch on the top
side just to the left of where your last stitch
ended and repeat the process. Eventually, you
will have closed the entire opening. Make a
final knot and cut off the remaining
thread.
You now have a brand new
decorative pillow! And now you know how to make
additional ones in the future. The only
downside? Don't be surprised if all your
friends and family members ask you to make them
a few throw pillows once they see yours!
Here's how your handmade
pillow compares to a typical store-bought
pillow, even if you had to buy all of the
supplies up front:
Fabric (per pillow) - $2.00
- $5.00
Thread - $1.50
Needles - $1.00
Pins - $2.00
Stuffing/Pillow Form - $4.00
- $14.00
Total Cost of Pillow -
$10.50 - $23.50
Store-Bought Pillow - $25.00 - $50.00
(If you're making multiple
pillows, your costs will be even lower because
you'll be using the needles, pins and thread
over and over.)
Danielle Mead makes and
sells contemporary decorative pillows through
her website LucysPillows.com.
|
