Wow, I had this whole blog written, and somehow it deleted because I didn't save. Lesson learned. Well, since this is my first official blog I'll use the disclaimer that I apologize in advance for any mistakes I make. I'm just learning as I go. Yesterday, I made a simple envelope pillow case, and I hope you can use this for inspiration to make your own. I rarely pin, measure, use a straightedge. I don't really measure seam allowances -- I just keep all seam allowances the same (usually marked on my needleplate on my sewing machine). I prefer to eyeball almost everything. I make things as easy as possible, and I don't use a pattern. This means that I've never made the same thing twice. It would be quicker if I just pre made a lot of components, but I just sew as I'm inspired. Most of the time, this works out. Sometimes it doesn't. But much like using this blog, I learn something new constantly. Anyway, back to the envelope pillow inspiration.
I started out with a couple of pieces of fabric, a pillow form, my reading glasses, a piece of trim, rotary cutter, my iron, and my sewing machine. You may want to add pins, or other things. I can't wait to make another pillow case because there is so many options to create!
My fabric squares started out to be roughly 19" square. The squares were not exactly square -- they were skewed a bit, so the sides ranged from 18 to 20", the average size being 19". I didn't bother trimming them at this state, I just went with it. There really was no rhyme or reason behind this size, it's just the fabric I happened to have on hand. There is a formula you can use, depending on your pillow form size. One of my friends have the following on her site:
My formula for this is length of the pillow divided by 2 + 8 inches. (8 inches because you'll need 5 for overlap + 2 inches for the hem + 1 inch for seam allowance) My pillow is 24 inches square so I cut my backing fabric to 20 inches (24/2 = 12 +8 = 20) You'll need TWO of these. Mine were cut 20 x 25 inches. (25" because the pillow is 24"+1" for seam allowance)
But, of course, I just eyeballed everything and worked with what I had on hand. My trim piece was around three inches wide. There is a right way to do things, so I'll try to add those while I'm blogging, but the truth is, I'd rather let my creative side take me to places where rules don't rule. It's important to have fun, and want to do this again -- without sacrificing quality. So, if it totally turns out terrible, I unsew and re-do it right. But if it turns out great -- and sometimes it does -- then I get all excited and start another project.
I cut the backside about 1/3 of the way down the back -- I didn't measure it, I just thought that looked pretty good.
One of the BEST things about working with quality fabrics is that sometimes, the backside is prettier than the front side. And it doesn't really look like a "back side". Such is the case with this pillow backing. I chose the trim to be a solid gold (which was the backside of the printed trim fabric) and I mixed things up by using half of the right side of the backside fabric, and the other half, the backside of the same fabric. The colors and patterns work, but it gives the backside a little something extra.
Here I sewed the right side of the trim fabric to the short side of the back fabric.
I changed the thread in my my machine and in my bobbin to kind of work with the fabric, but at the same time, I usually make sure it's a contrasting fabric so that if I happen to have to "unsew", my stitches are easy to find. Since this fabric had many different colors but it's main color is a dark purply-berry color, I chose this thread. I'm always needing thread of different colors so if you have some extra and it's just sitting around, I'd appreciate it.
I set my machine up to sew slow -- I always sew slow. I'm not nearly skilled enough to have this button turned off yet. Even when I sew a "straight" line, I still go slow. Sewing slow is faster than sewing fast, unsewing, then sewing fast again. I also used the option to "tie off", and what that does is just reinforce when I start a stitch and when I end a stitch. Since this pillowcase may be opened and closed many times, I thought reinforcement would be great.
I sewed the right side of the trim fabric to the right side of the shorter of the back fabric.
And of course, I pressed. I may take shortcuts elsewhere, but I have learned that pressing can make or break your project. So, I'm pretty picky when it comes to pressing.
I sewed the trim piece to the larger piece of back fabric about 3 inches, and I reinforced these stitches twice, because this is where the most stress will be in the finished pillow case. I overlapped "a bit". My friend overlaps 5 inches. I overlapped probably 3 inches. Just whatever felt right at the time.
So my back turned out like this -- you can see the different between the "right" side of the fabric and the "wrong" side. My flap is sewed down about three inches on either side, but there is an opening in the middle that I will use to turn the project rightside out, and also stuff the pillow later on.
I put both right sides of the top of the pillow, and the back side of fabric together and sewed all four sides (I anchored my stitches, and as far as seam allowance, I use used the width of my sewing foot. There is probably an exact science to what you should use, but as long as I consistently used the width of my sewing foot, I figured I'd be okay). I pinned here for the benefit of the photos, and I also trimmed the stray threads. I didn't specifically mention to do that -- I just do it. If you want to skip this step, you can, because it'll be on the inside anyway. But I like to make things nice and neat.
Once sewn all the way around, I use the opening in the back to turn the project rightside out.
Again, using the gap in the back, I stuffed the pillow into the case.
Ta da! There's my pillow. It's plush, It's attractive. It's changeable. It's got a flair for the exotic so it will complement, rather than overpower some other pillows, or a couch, or a chair. Many different ideas.
Front and back -- all filled out. I looked all around the house to find something the size of my head so you could see how cushy this pillow is. I finally gave up. Then, right before I went to water my outside flowers, I thought, "hey, this is about the same size/weight of a head.
Ready to make another! Hope this inspires you to make one. I am not sure how long it took me -- I didn't really think about it. But I ended up with an elegant gift for someone. I will take it the next time I make a trip to the senior center. I'm certain this great pillow will find a loving, forever home!
Thank all who sent fabrics and notions and above all, To God be the Glory!
-- Kay
Yesterday was Chris' birthday, we had a great time.
