New Throw Pillows To Match My Tuffet- A Tutorial

So after I recovered my tuffet,

I decided that the throw pillows on the sofa

and chairs were looking old and dull.

I measured my pillows and cut the pieces I needed,

allowing an extra inch all the way around,

for a 1/2" seam allowance.

These pillows were about 17" square.

So I cut two pieces of 18"x18" for each pillow.

 

I pulled out some of the leftover piping

I had from when I made my new sofa slipcover.

You can read all about my sofa slipcover and how I made the piping

HERE.

I pinned it along the outside edge of one

side of the pillow fabric.

I snipped into the seam allowance of the piping

so it would curve around the pillow corner.

I cut the piping a bit long where it meets up.

I cut off the excess piping cord to reduce bulk.

Folding the edge of one side of the piping under,

I wrap it around the other side.

Then I just pin it and sew it down.

I am using my piping foot on my Janome

machine but I usually use my zipper foot

on my Bernina for large piping.

This is what it looks like with the piping all pinned in place.

Next, I pulled out a long zipper

from my stash so I could make the new

pillow cover removeable.

Using my zipper foot,

I sew the zipper onto the piping,

wrong side up. 

If I sew it right side up, I will not

be able to open up the zipper when it is on the pillow.

Next, I lay the back piece of the pillow

on to of the front piece, 

right sides together,

matching up the sides,

and pin the seam allowances to the other side of the zipper.

I sew the zipper in place.

After the zipper is sew in place,

I can lay open it up and see that it is ready

to sew the rest of the pillow sides together.

This is how it looks from the back side.

Make sure that you have unzipped the zipper several

inches so you can get into the pillow cover

after the sides are all sewn.

 

Match up your sides and pin all the way around.

Using your zipper or piping foot,

sew as close to your piping edge as you can.

You can follow the line of stitching you used

when you sewed the piping on, 

or move your needle position 1 or 2 clicks

further away from your foot.

Go slow and careful around the corners.

You can see that I am sewing over the extra length

of the zipper end. 

 

 

When you finish sewing, 

you can trim the corners or not.

I usually do not for piped corners

as the extra fabric kind of fills out

the corner nicely.

 

The zipper is snug against the piping and makes it very easy

to remove the pillow cover for washing,

or just when you decide you need a change.

This was actually an old zipper that I reused.

All finished and pretty.

Because of the placement of the print on the fabric,

and because I didn't want to waste any

of my beloved fabric,

I was not able to center the floral motif on each pillow.

But I love them anyway.

I am glad I finally cut into this fabric.

And pillows are a great way to add 

color using just a little bit of a favorite fabric.

Happy Sewing!

Sprucing Up My Tuffet

This is my beloved tuffet.

As in 

"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet."

I made this tuffet about 10 years ago.

Ahnalin was waving her hand in front of my 

phone so excuse the blur.

I built it out of junk I begged

for from the guys in the back room

of the furniture store where I used to work.

Part of it is a miniature mattress sample,

wrapped in foam and batting,

stapled to a piece of plywood.

The bun feet were from an old dresser or something.

This is NOT a beautifully built piece of 

fine furniture!

I had been putting off recovering it because

I loved the linen toile I had used originally. 

But the stains on it were getting ugly and

gross and it was definitely time to be freshened up.

I had purchased this colorful floral linen print

from Schumacher when I was pregnant with India.

I have this problem with fabric.

You see, I fall in love with a certain fabric,

and then I hold on to it forever, 

afraid that if I cut into it, 

I will be disappointed if it doesn't turn out perfectly.

I decided to get over myself and use it!

So, I grabbed my handy dandy staple gun

and went to town!

I measured the tuffet and

realized I could just wrap the fabric around it.

So I cut off the amount I needed and got going.

There was almost no sewing involved in this project.

I folded the fabric around the rounded corners 

and stapled it in place.

I cut the fabric around where the bun feet needed

to be able to screw back in.

Yes, my staples are not perfectly placed.

But I had to remind myself that most people would

not turn over my tuffet to inspect my staples.

In my usual quest for perfection,

I can procrastinate instead of just plowing forward.

I decided this did not need to be perfect.

I got out some leftover piping

and stapled it to the bottom edge

to make it look more finished.

I curved round the corner and stapled it in place.

When I make pillows or slipcovers,

I sew the piping to be continuous,

but decided to just staple the 

end piece over the starting piece.

I am not super strong in my hands,

so sometimes the staples don't go all the way in.

So, I just use my tack hammer to hammer them down.

I screwed the bun feet back on,

and yes, that is the selvage stapled down.

All done!

After putting off this little project for years,

I got it done in about an hour,

start to finish!

I also made new throw pillow covers to match.

That will be the next post!

The Dora Dress By Genniewren

I was so grateful and happy to be able to test 

Genine Allan's new pattern for girls.

The "Dora" dress pattern is beautiful!!

This dress or jumper pattern

comes with a several different options

for design flexibility and creativity.

You can use several different fabrics in the skirt.

The ruffle is attached on top of the skirt

and can be sewn with a regular rolled hem

or a serged rolled hem finish.

The back is closed with buttons,

and I indulged in my passion for rick rack

on the bodice.

The skirt is very full...

which makes it perfect for twirling!

All of which makes for a very happy Ahnalin!

The pattern offers an option without the ruffle,

and you can add a darling apron as well!

And there is even a matching 18" doll dress

pattern available!!

You can purchase the girls pattern,

which includes girls sizes 1-16 in one Ebook PDF.

 HERE

Or you can purchase the girls AND doll pattern

for a special bundle price 

HERE.

I love Genine's patterns.

Her instructions are very clear

and always fit perfectly. 

This is her first pattern for girls,

but her patterns for 18" dolls are legendary!

I was thrilled to test her 

"Harriet" sailor dress pattern this summer.

You can see that post 

HERE

Thank you for allowing me

to test again for you Genine.

Your patterns are lovely and 

you know what little girls love.

Happy Sewing!

Sivje