Flange Pillows are Sew Much Fun
Raw edge flange pillows are small, decorative pillows that look larger because of the flange - a border of flat fabric that goes around the outer edge of the pillow. This border is not sewn on; it is an effect created by sewing and stuffing the actual pillow a few inches away from the edge of the material. This makes a terrific first sewing project because it is very easy to do and yields such beautiful results!
Sewing flange pillows is one of the many ways you can accessorize your home without spending a fortune, because they are so versatile. Want to have a gorgeous day bed in your children's room without paying for expensive designer touches? Choose fabric to match and make flange pillows. You can do the same for the couch, the easy chair, and, with some decorative tips, even for the living room or master bedroom! The only limits are the ones set by your own imagination!
Virtually any fabric can be used for these pillows. Synthetic fleece is the easiest to work with because it doesn't fray - and the texture of the fabric will hide your stitches, so you don't have to worry if they're not 100% straight! As an added bonus, they're also very cozy. For a more formal look, try synthetic suede, or even a woven silk. I'll be giving you some tips for using these fabrics, as well as decorative touches, at the end.
YOU WILL NEED:
1/2 yard fabric, with a width of 45" or 60"
Masking tape (narrow) or an air-erasable marking pen
12" square pillow form, knife-edged shape
Thread (be sure it matches the fabric!)
INSTRUCTIONS:
We will be sewing a 12" pillow with a 2 1/2 inch flange border, which means that you'll need to add five inches all around. Cut two 17" squares of fabric, making sure to cut on the grainlines. The easiest way to do this is to make yourself a paper pattern, pin it to the fabric and cut around. Once you've cut the fabric, mark a square on the piece that will be the front of the pillow. You can use narrow masking tape or, if you have one, use an air-erasable marking pen. This will be your stitching line.
HINT: If you use one of these pens, remember that the ink evaporates after 48 hours, so only mark the fabric if you're planning on sewing it soon.
Now pin the front piece to the back piece of the pillow, with the WRONG sides together. In other words, the right side of the fabric should be facing you. Pin the stitching line all around, but leave about 7" open on one side so that you'll be able to insert the pillow form. It's time to sew!
Insert the fabric under the presser foot of your machine (pinned side up, obviously!). To avoid having to stop and start stitching because of the opening, start sewing with the presser foot just in front of it. That way, you'll begin just ahead of the opening and finish right behind it.
If you marked your fabric with tape, begin sewing right at the outside edge of the tape without sewing over it. If you used the marking pen, sew right over the line.
REMOVE the pins as you come to them - they can wreak havoc on your machine if you sew over them, especially if your machine needle hits a pinhead!
Sew to the corner and stop, making sure that the machine needle is down. Lift the presser foot and turn the fabric so that you are now positioned to sew the next side of your square. Lower the foot and continue sewing to the next corner (this is called pivoting). Repeat until you reach the opening that you left, and take out the last pin.
Now you're ready to stuff your pillow! Fold the pillow form or bunch it up, whichever works for you, and push it gently through the opening.
HINT: Let the first and last stitches loosen if they have to - it's better than damaging your fabric!
Once the pillow form is in, push it far enough away from the opening so that you'll be able to pin and sew. Make sure that the raw edges are aligned. If any stitches loosened while you inserted the pillow form, pull the threads gently to tighten them back up again. Pin the opening of the pillow. With the presser foot just behind the end of the stitching line, sew the pillow closed. Overlap your stitch a bit at the beginning and the end. Remove your pillow from the machine. Snip all extra threads, and remove masking tape. Admire your pillow!
Once you get the hand of these gorgeous pillows, you'll be able to make them in no time flat. Here are some more advanced tips!
1) If you want a more formal-looking pillow - let's say, for a living room or master bedroom - try using synthetic suede. This can be a bit difficult to sew with. To make it easier, add a drop of silicone lubricant to your spool of thread (before threading the machine and the bobbin), as well as to the tip of the needle, the bottom of the presser foot and the sewing plate. Proceed as above.
2) Decorative fringe - this can be done with either the suede or the fleece. Once you've sewn the pillow, mark cutting lines at intervals of about 1/2", cutting out the corners completely. Cut at each marking to within 1/8" of the stitch line. This will form a decorative fringe all around the pillow.
3) If you use a coarse, even-weave fabric (like a silk), you can make a frayed border. Sew pillow as above. Make another stitchline at about 3/4" beyond the first one. Then pull the threads to fray the flange.
If you think of any other great decorating ideas for these pillows, I'd love to hear them! And if you're a pillow-lover like me, you'll enjoy my upcoming article - knife-edged pillows and tied pillowcases. They're gorgeous - and much easier than you think!