Thursday, December 8, 2011

Simple Pillows

Here’s a simple facelift for your couch—pillow covers!

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I like to make simple envelope pillow covers.  Here’s how:

1.  Measure your pillow.  You’ll need to know the length and width.

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2.  Do a little math.  This pillow measured 11 x 15 inches.

  • Front pillow piece:  You need 1 rectangle.  Add 1/2 inch to the length and 1/2 inch to the width.  For this pillow, I used 1 rectangle measuring 11 1/2 x 15 1/2 inches.  
  • Back pillow pieces:  You need 2 rectangles.  The width will be the same as the front piece.  For the length of each piece, divide the length of the pillow by 2 and add 3 1/2 inches.  My 2 rectangles measured  11 1/2 x 11 inches.

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3.  Hem one long edge of each of the back pillow pieces.

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4.  Stack your fabric like this:

  • Front piece right-side up.
  • Back pieces wrong-side up, hem toward the middle.

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5.   Stitch all the way around the pillow with 1/4 inch seam allowances.

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6.  Trim the corners, turn your case right side out, and press it well.

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7.  Slip it on your pillow.

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A few notes: 

--This envelope pillow will work for any rectangular/square pillow.  Just measure your pillow and do the same math you did above. 

--If you are worried about the back overlap gaping, you can add more than 3 1/2 inches to each back piece, or just attach a small piece of Velcro to either side!

--Embellish away!  I try to remember to embellish the front before I put my pillows together.  You can paint, piece, add ribbon or ric rac, anything you want, just as long as the front finished pieces measures 1/2 inch long and 1/2 inch wider than your pillow.

Monday, December 5, 2011

1 Skirt, 6 Ways

big skirt post

I love a good TNT (Tried And True) pattern.  The basic idea is this:  find a pattern you like, make it fit and the add (or subtract) design details to create the garments you want.

In my 1 Skirt, 3 Ways class, I start with the essential, flattering-to-everyone A-line skirt. I use McCalls 3341 during the class:

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Using this pattern, I made this skirt, just as the pattern instructed. (For a review of the pattern, please see my review on PR.)

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The easiest way to tweak a skirt is to take it from fitted to an elastic-waist gathered skirt by leaving out the darts and placing the center back on the edge of the paper eliminating the center back seam. I also added a little extra at the top so I could make a casing for my elastic waist. Here’s skirt #2:

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(sorry about the crooked picture)

Skirt # 3 was altered to straighten it to a pencil shape, add pleats and a waist band.  You can get the details in my PR review.

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Skirt # 4 was made like Skirt #2.  I did add a little extra fabric by placing the “PLACE ON FOLD” mark about 1 inch from the fold.

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You can read the process for Skirt #5 on the PR review.

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Skirt #6 was made from a cotton lawn.  I loved the way the fabric draped, and that inspired me to make the ruffle. This skirt is lined with a rayon lining and has an elastic, gathered waist.

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Spring 2012 Sewing Classes in Shreveport/Bossier City

I’ll be teaching classes through LSUS Continuing Ed again this spring.  Here are the dates and details:

Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine:
Thursday, January 12 6-9pm
Monday, January 23 9-12
Saturday, January 28 10-1
Thursday, February 16 6-9pm
Monday, March 5 9-12
Thursday, March 22 6-9pm
Thursday, May 3 6-9pm

What else can your sewing machine do? 
Thursday, January 26 6-9pm
Monday, February 6 9-11
Thursday, March 1 6-9pm
Saturday, March 17 10-1
Thursday, April 12 6-9pm
Monday, April 9 9-11am
Thursday, May 17 6-9pm

Learn to Read a Pattern
Tuesday and Thursday, January 17 & 19 6-8 pm
Monday, Janury 30 9-1
Tuesday and Thursday, Februrary 21 & 23 6-8 pm
Saturday, February 25 9-1
Tuesday and Thursday, April 3 & 5 6-8pm
Tuesday and Thursday, May 8 & 10 6-8 pm

Curtains and Pillows! 
Tuesday, January 31 6-8pm
Monday, February 6 11-1
Tuesday, March 6 6-8pm
Saturday, March 17 11-1
Monday, April 9 11-1
Tuesday, April 17 6-8 pm
Tuesday, May 22 6-8pm

Basic Applique: 
Thursday, February 9 6-9pm
Monday, February 13 9-12
Thurday, March 15 6-9pm
Thursday, April 26 6-9pm
Monday, May 16 9-12