Home Dec Fabric Pieced Pillows

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 18"x 18" pillow form or 16"x 12" pillow form
• 3/4 yard each of accent fabrics for pillow design
• 1 1/2" yard for pillow envelope flaps
• Coordinating thread for each fabric
• 1 1/2" yard neutral color cotton muslin (for lining design pieces)
• Several sheets of tracing paper at least 17"w (optional)
• Pencil
• Walking foot on sewing machine if using upholstery/thick fabrics
• Scissors
• Fabric turning tool or bone folder

DIRECTIONS:

1. For each element of appliqué, place muslin and accent fabric right sides facing. Using a walking foot, freeform stitch a curvilinear line. When satisfied, cut along stitching, allowing 1/4" to 1/2" seam allowance. Cut out fabric with straight edges at bottom and sides, to create a rectangle with a curvilinear top edge for each piece. Flip fabric along curvilinear side. Crease fabric along path with fingers. Set aside.


2. Continue creating curvilinear shapes. Layer pieces as you go, creating a mock up of design. Be sure to include 2 pieces for the top and bottom of pillow design, 19" on the longest side. Keep in mind which way the pattern should run as you cut.


3. When there are enough pieces to create a 19"x 19" square, pin appliqués together, 2-3 pieces at a time, as you would like them to appear on pillow. Start from the bottom of design. Top stitch each piece with coordinating thread, as close to seam as possible. Stitch together top curvilinear edges only. When all appliqué pieces are stitched together, set aside.

1. Cut (2) 19"x 29" rectangles from envelope fabric. Add 1" hem, wrong side to wrong side, to one of the 19" sides of each rectangle.


2. Align unhemmed edge of one rectangle, right side to right side, to bottom of appliqué design. Carefully pin and stitch. Cut away any unnecessary layers of fabric from bottom edge, wrong side, of appliqué if there are too many layers to stitch through smoothly. Repeat process with remaining rectangle at top of appliqué design.


3. Lay entire pillow panel right side up. Fold bottom flap over 10", wrong side to wrong side. Fold again, from bottom seam, to partially cover appliqué panel, right side to right side. Repeat process from top. Fabric should now be folded into a 19"x 19" square.


4. Carefully pin unfinished sides and stitch together, with a 1" seam allowance.


5. Flip pillow, using a fabric flipping tool or bone folder to push out corners. Insert pillow form.


6. For a 16"x 12" pillow, repeat process above, using the following dimensions. Finish size of appliqué design should be 18"x 14". Envelope flaps should be 22"x 14" each. Add 1" hem to one of the 14" sides, wrong side to wrong side. Fold over 8", wrong side to wrong side, once attached to appliqué panel.

JOANN HACKS:

• If uncomfortable with freeform stitching, create your own appliqué patterns on tracing paper. Cut pattern to finish size. Lay muslin over desired fabric, right side to right side. Lay pattern onto muslin. Pin pattern through both the muslin and desired fabric. Cut out shape, allowing for a 1/4" - 1/2" seam allowance. Practice this process with a small piece of fabric and muslin first to determine the best seam allowance and top-stitching method for you.