I'm contributing a tutorial for Pillow Month at Sew Mama Sew. Two tutorials, actually. The first will be published tomorrow and shows how to finish a pillow back with a zipper hidden behind a flap.
{Sneakity Peakity}
I made three pillows in the process of trying to photograph each step. The method is very easy, getting good photos of the process was not as easy. On the positive side, I did get three new pillows for my couch and not a moment too soon. My pillows were looking so tired.
In the planning process of Pillow Month, I looked at a lot of pillows on the internet. I started a pillow board on pinterest to save some of my favorites. Some I felt like I could recreate, like this one from Dwell Studio available at Target.
It's very pretty, but it's currently unavailable. No problem. Here's what I came up with.
And since I was already writing a tutorial, I happen to have some photos of the process.
If you've looked at more than a blog or two in the past few months, it's very likely you've seen a fabric rosette tutorial, or ten. I'm not going to add another to that long list, but I will show you a few steps along the way to go from rosette to rosette pillow.
If you've never made a pillow, it's perhaps the easiest beginner sewing project. It takes no time to master and perfect for those with little patience. Those who want instant gratification, me included. Go check out Sew Mama Sew for a tutorial on the basics. While you are there, check out the contest they have going on. There are some great prizes to be won!
OK, for the rosette pillow. I started with a 16" square of dark gray fabric. To get the spacing even, I folded the pillows into thirds, pressed, then repeated for the other way. Not rocket science, I just eyeballed it.
Based on the spacing, I decided I wanted my rosettes to measure about 4". I cut some lightweight interfacing into 4" squares. If you don't have interfacing, you could use a very light weight fabric. I didn't want to add much weight or bulk to my flowers, but wanted something strong enough to hold up to hot glue.
Most of the tutorials I've seen are for a smallish flower and recommend using strips of fabric that are around 1" x 22". Since I needed larger flowers I cut my strips 2" x the whole width of fabric or 44"
Fold in half, the long way and press. For the beginning of the rosette, fold one end in half again and begin rolling tightly- several rolls then twist and roll a couple of times.
Put a small glob of hot glue in the center of your interfacing square and place the rolled end of the fabric in the glue
Then just keep twisting, wrapping and gluing until you are down to about 1/2 " of fabric.
Cut the excess interfacing away from the flower and glue the fabric tail around to the back.
Repeat 8 more times. Yes, it's a little time consuming, but it's mindless work you can do while watching TV.
Arrange your rosettes on your pillow front.
Be sure to allow room for your pillow seams. Initially I wanted to use fabric glue, hot glue can be so heavy. Once the fabric glue dried, there were a few places not adhered completely so I just went around each one with a dab of hot glue here and there to make sure they were all secure.
Check out Sew Mama Sew tomorrow (Feb 4th) for that tutorial on how to finish the back with a hidden zipper.
