Thursday, October 28, 2010

~piping & ruffles pillow tutorial~

Happy Wednesday everyone!

If I would've posted yesterday,
it would have been ....rain, rain, rain
{cuz it's been doing that for many days....}
and back to me complaining.....
{update....this is now day 2 of this post, and
it is now raining again....blek....}


but ~ today is a lovely fall day ~
phew......I'm not ready for the
non-stop rain yet....

I've had lots of requests for sewing tutorials
and so I finally got one together for you~
It might be a little lengthy

~warning very long post~
but before I bore you all to   d  e  a  t  h  ....
I have a shoppe announcement....

I am now offering DIY pillow kits!

the kits will have:
*fabric cut to size with images already transferred
*envelope closures cut to size
*piping pre-made {if applicable}
*pre-made ruffles {also if applicable}
*detailed instructions w/ pictures!

so you can save money & have fun create pillows at home!
if interested head over to
my Etsy store and take a look!

click here for diy kits 

I am continuing to add more kits, if you don't see
the pillow you want listed yet,~ just let me know!

~*~
So here's the pillow we're making today~

With this pillow, I used an image
using an ink transfer method I blogged about
a month ago or so....
go HERE
to see the tutorial

{btw....the picture shows an iron-on image, but
the actual pillow is an ink transfer}


Supplies Needed:

16 x 16 piece of fabric for front of pillow
(2) 11 x 16 in. fabric pieces for back closure
65 in. (4 x 16 + a little extra) piping cord
a 2 1/2 inch strip of fabric approx. 65 inches long for piping
135 in. of fabric cut in a 2 1/2 inch strip (8 x 16 + extra) for the ruffle


               Once your image is in place, and your
fabric is ironed you're ready to go....

Because this pillow has both piping and ruffles,
I'll do the piping first since it lays in front
of the ruffle on the pillow.

PIPING

cut a strip of fabric approx. 4 x the width of the pillow
{assuming a 16 inch square pillow}
so 4 x 16 inches, plus a couple inches

the fabric should be about 2 inches wide
then you will simply fold the strip over the 
cotton cord....like so......


you will need to use a zipper foot,
in the photo below, it's the one on the right
{now don't panic.....it's very simple and
only a $10 item at your local fabric store! :)} 
just swap out the feet & you're ready.


the zipper foot allows you to stitch right
next to the cord....like so....


stitch all the way
along the whole strip of fabric...like dis.....

once that part is done you can attach it to the
pillow square~
lay the piping down on the pillow
with raw edges together and pin in place
....like so....


now still using your zipper foot,
stitch the piping in place taking special care
around the corners....snip the fabric like
so.....at the corners, but be super careful
not to cut too close to the seam.




now you need to connect the piece
where it comes together....
there are several ways to do this, but
I usually use a little piece of fabric
tape and wrap it around, then hand stitch
it together.


once you do that, you'll need to finish the fabric portion of the piping.....just fold under about
a 1/2 inch of the fabric and then lay it over
the other piece....
{ok sorry...very confusing....the pictures should help!!!}



and pin it and sew into place on the
pillow.....like so....






ok...now we're ready for ruffles.....
all of you who are bored stiff ~ it's ok...
now's a good time to click close and
do some more blog hopping....hee hee ;)
the rest ~ here we go!

this ruffle happens to be a raw edge  ruffle....
so the first thing that needs to happen
is the making of the raw edge...

just grab a thread on the top edge and pull....
you will pull about 5-6 threads
all the way down.

once you've pulled off several strands
 you are ready to make the ruffles.....

{disclaimer.....somehow I deleted the pics showing how I made the ruffles....
but this one kind of gives you an idea!}


 
just lay the strip of fabric under the regular foot again, (the raw edge will be facing away from the machine)
and fold over about a 1/2 inch of fabric away from you, aboutevery inch or so, depending on how tight you want the ruffles to be....

for looser ruffles, just fold over 1/4 inch of
fabric and leave more space in between,
and vice versa for tighter ruffles.

I have found this method to be much easier
than other ruffle methods.
I also vary the direction of the fold every so often
to give it more of a random feel.

OK....
now the last few of you who are still with
me.....let's continue on :)

 
time to attach the ruffle to the pillow~
lay the ruffle on top of the piping,
with your newly created raw edge towards
the middle of the pillow ~ line up the cut raw edge with the raw edge of the piping and the pillow.




also, make sure your seams are now facing UP ~
so when on the pillow they don't face forward....
now pin the ruffle in place going all the way around
the pillow and using your zipper foot again,
stitch into place


now your pillow should look something like this


ok...anyone who's still with me deserves an award!
seriously, I'm bored with myself here!!
hee hee....

ONWARD!!

the last step is the back envelope closure....

my secret recipe for envelope closures....
whatever the length of the pillow
16 inches in this case...
divide in 1/2 and add 3 inches
for the 2 back pieces
16 x (8 in. + 3 in.)=11 in.

so for this pillow
I will cut 2 pieces of fabric 16 x 11

for a nice hem, fold over 1/2 in of fabric
the full length of the 16 inches, iron
then fold over the same piece another 1/2
inch and iron again~

then stitch straight across from side to side


now you will lay these newly hemmed
pieces right sides down ~ on top of the pillow
(right side up)

line up the raw edges and stitch your first piece into place
like so......


it's a lot of fabric so you may need a heavier
duty needle.....
and a zipper foot at this point will work best so you
can get right up next to the piping


next lay the other piece on overlapping with the first
piece, of course right side down....
lining up raw edges and pin & stitch into place


you may notice on this pillow back
I used a longer back piece....
it was before I came up with my special formula ;)
so I know it looks longer than 11 inches.

{yours will overlap closer to the middle
I've found you need about a total of 4 inches
extra where the pieces overlap to ensure
the envelope closure stays closed once the pillow
insert is in!}

Guess what?
you're just about done!

now if you like ~ trim and zig zag stitch
the inside raw edges, and give it a little pressing...
turn right side out ~ insert pillow
and place happily on your sofa!! :)


let's see in this case I think the
blog post took longer than actually
making the pillow!!

If you have any questions, please
let me know ~ I'm happy to help!!

Have a great weekend & a fun Halloween! 

xo,


Shellagh






 









34 comments:

Irene ~ RE~VINTAGED said...

You clever gal! I like!!!
Do you mind if I steal this general idea for some pillows to sell too. Not on etsy - of course!!On Made It here in Australia. I like the ruffle with the cord part for my fabrics.

Anne Lorys said...

Girl, you know that I can't sew, not a stitch.
I'm hopeless.

But I do love to watch you work your magic!
Beautiful as always, darlin'!

Blondie's Journal said...

Like Anne, I can't sew, but I love watching someone that can!! Your are SO talented and your pillows are wonderful!

XO,
Jane

Kimberly said...

Not bored at all! GREAT info for a beginning sewer like me!! THANKS.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Sorry about all the rain :(
Hopefully there will still be plenty of sunny days this Fall for you.
I think the pillow kits are a great idea! Although my sewing skills are so poor I still don't know if I'd be brave enough to try making one.
I just have to tell you when I see Ticking and Toile come up on my blogger page I get so excited! I love what you do! Keep up the great work!
Hugs, Lisa

Privet and Holly said...

Hey, Girlie!
I haven't made piping
in ages, so this was
a great tutorial....as
was seeing the process
of making the raw-edge
ruffle. Beautiful AND
informative! As the proud
owner of your pillows,
I can attest to how
lovely and well-made that
they are....worth every penny.
xx Suzanne
PS: I just sent you
an e-mail regarding a
pillow idea.
PPS: Rain, rain,
go away.

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Great tutorial. Ruffles can be difficult but you make it look simple. I'm going to check out your pillow kits.

hugs
Sissie

she dreams big! said...

I'm giving you the "best tutorial EVER' award! I've never tried piping cuz of fear of the unknown but now feel like maybe I could do it! Thank you sweet Shellagh for sharing secrets others might not share. Now, I'm off to take a peek at the pillow kits! Great idea, by the way!

Heaven's Walk said...

*sigh*! I sure wish I could sew.......Great tutorial, though, Shellah! You rock, girl! :)

xoxo laurie

Cheryl said...

Shellagh, you are the best to share an awesome tutorial like this and even offer kits. Well done friend! Now I know how to end the piping so it looks nice. Thanks

Alyssa said...

Holy Moly! Now I know how much work went into the pillow that I'm resting my head on. Wow! :)Alyssa of Boston B

NanaDiana said...

What a great tutorial...probably one of the best I have seen. I love sewing too..and know how much work, and dedication, it took to do this blog. Great job, girl! Hugs=Diana

Restoration House said...

This was such a great tutorial. I really learned a lot regarding the piping. Can't wait to try this! Thanks so much.

Kim @ Restoration House

Tricia said...

I love your pillow...so pretty! I'm okay at sewing, but I have yet to tackle piping...ugh. Hope your weather has improved, it's been hideous here ;)

Annie said...

You are so generous to share your skills. Thank you!
Annie

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hi Shellagh.....You do great tutorial's! Always detailed and informative! I am a sewer but kind of rusty at the moment. Thanks for sharing! I need to check out your kits!~Hugs, Patti

Dandelions Cottage said...

I posted this tutorial on my blog! I really love the inspiration you bring! Hugs~

Passionate for White said...

You have such talent.... I'm "sew" envious!!!

Unknown said...

Wow Girlfriend!

What a fabulous tutorial! You know I don't sew at all, but, man, I love watching you do it! I found myself reading through each step (almost as if I was going to try it out). For those lucky girls that sew, you are the best instructor.

Glad you got a bit of Mr.. Sunshine there today. We did also! Just in time for a little trick or treating in downtown Walla Walla with the kids.

Thanks for your comment on my red chair. Don't you love the stencils they have at Mason de Stencils?

have a fabulous weekend-

Cori

Rust: Vintage Inspired Design said...

I was with you all the way to the end.....you are so sweet to post this tutorial on one of your gorgeous pillows Shellagh...thank you...I will be bookmarking this page for sure!
xojanis

Gracefully Vintage said...

Just Amazing.. Love the step by step... And love your images you get on the fabric- I still can not do that.
Thank You So Much for Sharing.

Journal Swag said...

OH MY GOSH! This pillow is to die for! People who sew amaze me! Patience! You have my undying admiration!!

Sheila

Alicia ~ time worn style said...

well I read this post all the way to the end and then over again. Loved it as I do love to sew and I havent done much for ages so you have got me totally inspired!! thankyou :0))
alicia

Anonymous said...

Hi Shellagh!
I love this pillow! It's so sweet of you to do a tutorial on how to make it, especially since you sell it in your etsy shop! I only wish I knew how to sew... :( ... lol! :)
Thanks so much for posting my giveaway on your sidebar... I appreciate your support!!
xoxo,
Jo :)

Rosie said...

Oh Shellah,
You my dear are so talented...I LOVE the frayed box pleat...GORGEOUS!...xoxox...Rosie

Kirsty Girl said...

Gorgeous pillow! Oooo it's so lovely!

Kim L said...

Wow, this is great. I know it must have taken you a long time to put this all together. The pictures are very helpful!

Kim said...

Thanks for posting the tutorial. I'm just wondering where we can get the picture for the transfer process if we don't need the entire kit? Thanks!

Tracy Wills said...

Your pillows are so beautiful, thanks for the great tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Hello and love, love the pillow! Do you have to use a ink or laser to print the image and once you transfer with citra solv, can it be washed?
Thank you so much!
mstklannie@optonline.net

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