Now That You Are Home...

Consider this as a continuation of Pillow Paradise, 101. A basic lesson in pillow construction. A how to. The syllabus for this course: setting a zipper (the easy way) and (the correct way) and instruction to create a second “pillow pocket” to expand one’s knowledge and depth in the construction of custom pillows. Ah, there are those words that keep popping up…Custom Pillows. Custom, the ability to create something that is one of a kind and exclusively yours. Designed to fit in a specific space. Your space. Another way to spell you are home.

This is what you will need-

1 Yard Fabric for Interior Pillow...Link here

1 Yard Fabric for Exterior Pillow...Link here

2 Yards Decorative Ribbon...Link here

1 20” Zipper
20" Down Pillow Insert

Simply put, to set a zipper in a seam, you need four rows of sewing. 1, attach one side of the zipper tape to one side of the seam allowance. 2, attach the second side of the zipper tape to the second side of the seam allowance. 3, topstitch the first side of the zipper, 4 topstitch the second side of the zipper. Sounds easy, right? You can do this.

Cut two squares of fabric 20” x 20”. Cut one rectangle 20” x 3”.

Gently press the tape of the zipper to straighten. Take care not to iron over the zipper teeth, they could possibly melt.

Finish all edges with a tight zig zag stitch or overlock stitch.

Sew the small rectangle to the bottom of one of the 20” squares of fabrics with a 1” seam allowance. For the first 1 1/2" and the last 1 1/2" of the seam stitch with a close together stitch about 9 stitches per inch. For the middle of the seam allowance use a basting stitch. Long stitches. You just need to hold the fabric together here, once the zipper is set you will remove the basting stitches.

Press the seam open.

Flip all the layers toward you as shown. Make sure the seam allowance is all by itself. Your first row of stitches will be on this side of the seam allowance.

Lay the zipper right (face) side down on the seam allowance. Center the top of the zipper about 1 ½” away from the edge. Pin only the zipper tape to the seam allowance, line the edge of the zipper tape to the edge of the seam allowance.

Put zipper foot on your sewing machine.

Start stitching the tape to the seam allowance with the stitches running down the middle of the zipper tape.

This is how your zipper should look at this point.

Place a pin at the start of the zipper and at the end of the zipper, both pins should be about 1 ½” from the edge as shown.

Topstitch through all the layers from pin to pin.

Flip the fabric (the 3” rectangle) over the large 20” to expose just the seam allowance of the bottom rectangle.

Pin the length of the seam allowance to the zipper tape.

Stitch the seam allowance to the zipper tape as close to the basting stitches as possible. Remove pins as you sew. Start and stop 1 1/2" from the sides of the pillow.

This is how your zipper should look.

Carefully remove the basting stitches and any tiny threads.

Topstitch the fabric as close to the zipper teeth as possible. You will have to gently guide or roll the fabric with your fingers to do so. The goal here is to have as little as possible of the zipper tape showing.

When your stitches get close to the zipper pull, stop, lift the pressure foot and push the pull past the point where you are stitching. Place the pressure foot down and continue stitching until you reach the top of the zipper.

Topstitch both ends of the zipper. I like to run a couple rows of stitching back and forth to secure the zipper.

Flip the pillow over and trim the excess zipper about ¼” from the topstitching. Any length of zipper can be used. I used a 22" zipper (that's what I had), even if your zipper is 20" a small amount will have to be removed. You do not want any length of the zipper to be stitched into the seam allowance.

Lay the pillow back on a flat surface right side showing. Lay the pillow front on top of the back, lining up at the bottom as shown.

Pin together.

Remove the extra fabric from the top.

Finish this edge.

Unzip the zipper about 5” to leave an opening to turn inside out.

Stitch all four sides.

At the corners, stop and turn and stitch two or three stitches, then turn and continuing stitching. This will give your pillow a little more of a square and fitted corner when finished.

Trim corners as shown.

Unzip the pillow. Press open seam allowances.

Turn right side out. Use a screwdriver, a pair of scissors or a point turner to gently push out the corners. Be careful not to push too hard and make a hole in the corner.

Press and stuff with a 20” down insert. Ta Da! Now, wasn't that easier than you thought?

Pillow Pocket

Cut one length of fabric 20” wide by 38” long.

Finish the two 38” edges.

Fold the fabric in half and pin as shown.

Stitch the two sides.

Press both seams open.

Turn the cut edge up ½” and press with an iron.

Turn this edge up 1” and press.

Measure and cut two lengths of ribbons 21” long.

Measure the fabric between the seams to find the middle. Place a pin.

Tuck one length of ribbon into the edge as shown. Pin.

Flip the ribbon over. Pin to the turned edge.

Repeat for the second length of ribbon.

Topstitch the turned edge all the way around, making sure the ribbon lays flat as you sew.

Fold the cut edge of the ribbon over ½” twice and pin.

Topstitch to finish edge.

Place your first pillow inside the pocket of your second pillow.

Tie a pretty bow or tie with a double knot.

One you can set a zipper in a seam, the pillow possibilities are endless. Whether it is just one pretty pillow for a special spot or all your nooks and crannies. Start decorative adventures here and create something beautiful.

As with any home improvement, once you sit back to admire a newly finished project, suddenly another necessary development appears that you never noticed before. Why is that? You get a new sofa, you notice that you need new carpeting. You replace the carpet, suddenly the walls need painting. You paint the walls, and well, you understand perfectly. New planters for the porch, yes, suddenly we need a new wreath for the door. So this is where this is going. A new wreath. I don’t like to think of it as a home improvement, more like jewelry for the door. Add a new piece of jewelry, well, you need a new outfit. Of course, new shoes, then...

This is what you will need-

Stone Clay

House Shaped Cookie Cutters

Mini Shape Cutters

Floral Wreath

Knife

Craft Brush

Small Paint Brush

Fine Grit Sandpaper

Silver Metallic Paint

Hot Glue Gun
Corks

You will need one to one and a half packages of the stone clay...Link here.

To purchase 3 1/2" house cookie cutter...Link here. To purchase 2 1/2" house cookie cutter...Link here.

To purchase floral wreath...Link here.

Roll about one half of the package of stone clay as you would if you were making cutout cookies. The thinner the better, about 1/8” thick is perfect.

With the 3 ½” large house cookie cutter, cut out 11 or 12 houses.

Roll another portion of the clay to about 1/8” thick and cut out 11 or 12 small 2 ½” houses.

Randomly cut out windows, doors, stars and hearts on the houses. To purchase mini cutters…Link here. I drew and cut a 3/4" heart on card stock to make a template to use as a guide to cut out a small heart on the house.

Use a small craft brush and a tiny amount of water to smooth inside the doors, windows, stars and hearts.

Repeat for all outside rough edges.

Smooth surface of houses with damp fingertips.

Place on a cloth to let air dry. After several hours, check to see if the houses are curling. If so, press to flatten out. Depending how thick you roll out the clay, determines drying time. My houses will take several hours. Thicker houses may have to dry overnight.

When the houses are completely dry, they will feel noticeably lighter.

Use fine grade sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots or edges.

They are now ready to paint.

Paint one to two coats of paint, front back and sides. Any brand of metallic paint is fine, I used some that I have had lying around the house.

Let dry.

Paint the floral wreath.

Place several corks in boiling water for about 10 minutes or so.

Cut each cork into quarters,

Lay the larger houses around the floral wreath to arrange.

With your glue gun, remove one house. Place a dot of glue, attach cork. On top of the cork, place another dot of glue, then place the house on top of the glue. Repeat for all houses.