Great-Looking Knife-Edged Pillows
14" square pillow form (pillow insert)
1/2 yard fabric
Matching thread
Needle for hand sewing
INSTRUCTIONS:
First you're going to cut your squares. Because you need to take a 1" seam allowance into account, you'll need to measure two 15" squares of fabric. Align the sides to the fabric grainlines, and cut the squares.
Place the pillow front on top of the pillow back with right sides together.
Align all four edges.
Pin the front and back together near the outer edges, leaving a 7" opening unpinned on one side.
Insert the fabric into the machine, with the presser foot positioned just ahead of the opening.
Align the cut edges to the seam allowance guide on your machine.
Backstitch three or four stitches.
Switch directions and stitch forward all around the pillow, pivoting at the corners.
When you get to the opposite side of the opening, backstitch again and stop.
Remove the fabric from the machine and trim the threads.
This next step might seem like an extra but it will result in a much better-looking pillow, so don't skip it: You're going to press the seams flat. First turn back the top seam allowance and press, including the seam at the opening. Next, flip the cover over and do the same for the second seam allowance.
When you get to the corners, fold two seams in and then fold the other two over them.
Now you're going to turn your pillow right side out!
Reach into the opening with four fingers and pinch a corner with your thumb and one other finger.
Turn that corner through the opening.
Repeat with remaining three corners.
You're ready to stuff your pillow and close the opening!
Push down the pillow form to compress it, and insert it through the opening.
Align the pressed edges of the opening and pin it closed.
Get your hand-sewing needle, and slipstitch the opening closed.
Plump up your pillow, curl up and enjoy!! Insert the threaded needle between the seam allowance and the outer fabric, just behind the opening. Bring to the outside in the seamline.
SLIPSTITCHING HINT:
If you're right-handed, you'll work from right to left. Lefties work from left to right. Insert the needle into the fold right behind the point where the thread came up, and run it inside the fold for about 1/4". Bring the needle out and gently pull the thread till it's tight. Take the next stitch in the opposite fold, inserting the needle right across from the previous stitch. Continue crossing from one fold to the other until you sew past the opening.
Secure the thread with a few tiny stitches in the seamline, then take a long stitch and pull it tight. Cut the thread as close to the fabric as possible, and the tail end will disappear inside.
VARIATIONS:If you're right-handed, you'll work from right to left. Lefties work from left to right. Insert the needle into the fold right behind the point where the thread came up, and run it inside the fold for about 1/4". Bring the needle out and gently pull the thread till it's tight. Take the next stitch in the opposite fold, inserting the needle right across from the previous stitch. Continue crossing from one fold to the other until you sew past the opening.
Secure the thread with a few tiny stitches in the seamline, then take a long stitch and pull it tight. Cut the thread as close to the fabric as possible, and the tail end will disappear inside.
Here are some ideas for dressing up your knife-edged pillows:
Buy decorative ribbon to coordinate with the pillow fabric. Wrap it around the length and width of the pillow, and tie in a neat bow on the pillow front. Sew a few tiny hand stitches just behind the bow so that the ribbon won't slip off.
Use a tapestry panel for the pillow front. If the panel isn't square, just recut the edges.
Cinch the center of the pillow with two large shank buttons covered in the same or coordinating material as the pillow itself (most notions stores offer button-covering for a nominal price). Attach them on either side of the pillow with a single strand of heavy-duty thread. Pull them tight and compress the pillow in the center before tying.
For pillows that will be tossed around, sat on or dragged across the floor (like in children's rooms), try a zipper closure instead of one of the seams - stay tuned for instructions in a future article!
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