A pillow post

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.

Comments

[heather]

eeek! how cool... i can't wait to see what you've done tomorrow!

xo, heather

[Megan @ reFind]

I love it! I am actually in the process of making one for myself too!!! I loved the Dwell one, but didn't want to shell out $24 when I had a bunch of scrap fabric laying around. Thanks for sharing yours!
Check out my blog - I posted a pillow that I finished!

[Mandy]

i saw this pillow at target and wanted it so bad! but not for $30!!!! Thanks for this tutorial! this looks awesome! i'd love for you to come link up your creations at my Friday link party today www.smallfineprint.com

[Jes]

Great tutorial! The pillow turned out beautiful. I posted a link to it. Hope you don't mind :)

[Karen]

Thanks for the visual tutorial. I like to be able to see how things are made. I also learned something new about the zippers on the other tutorial! I've never used the fusible tape before on zippers. I guess you are never too old to learn. :o)

[Autum]

Thank you Jes!

[Autum]

Im a visual learner too Karen, and no, you are never too old to learn : )

[Tina Phillips]

Ohhhhhh how I LOVE your version!! It's way better than the target one!! I think cuz I am a sucker for black and white! One day I will learn how to sew.....LOL. For the sewing illiterate like me this would be "sew" perfect on a pillow you already have...just add the rosettes (which I can do cuz it's easy and cuz i am a scrapper and these are everytwhere in scrapbooking right now....lol) and get an entirely new pillow!!! LOVEEEEE this!!!

[Brenda]

I so agree that i like this one better than the Target one. This will be great well beyond the cheesey greeny yellowish craze.

[Dee]

Wow! You made it look so easy. I've done my bedroom in black and white and this would be a stunning look.
Your pillow ROCKS!

[Autum]

Thank you Dee! It really was easy ; )

xo Autum

[Autum]

Tina, this would be so very easy to do with a plain pillow. You really should try sewing one. I bet youll be surprised how easy it is.

xo Autum

[Autum]

Thank you Brenda : )

xo autum

[Chris]

Thank you so much for your tutorial on SMS. I used it to finish up a pillow today, and it worked perfectly!

[Jennifer]

Super cute! This is going in my to do file!

[crafty007]

I actually like yours better! Great job!

[Autum]

Thanks!!

xo Autum

[Bethany {3SonsPlus1}]

Squeal! Love these! Can't wait to try some myself!

[Alima]

I LOVED this pillow when I saw it at Target, but yellow does not go with my living room so making my own is the perfect solution!
I tried a few last night and this morning. Maybe I am just challeneged, but they were not as easy for me as everyone in blogland made them sound. :)
Finally on the 4th try I got mine looking right. Only problem is mine came out pretty small (only about 2") and I used 2"x44" strips just like you. Am I wrapping too tightly?
Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

[Autum]

Hi Alima!

Getting the hang of the wrapping the flowers takes a few tries. As for the size, you may be wrapping to tight. After I made the first one and was happy with the size, I roughly traced around it onto my next interfacing square, so the following flowers would be uniform in size. Maybe you should start out by tracing a circle the size you wish your flower to be so you have a bit of a guide to go by while you are twisting the flower.
Hope this helps!

xo Autum

[Buy Pillows]

Beautiful fabric. Thanks for your creativity in design and color. Love the flower that you have put on pillows.

[Nancy Nelson]

Thanks for sharing such a great idea and super zipper installation technique.

[Stephanie Dean]

Can you make me a pillow? If so how much would it be? I've been looking everywhere for a pillow like the one at Target! My email is [email protected]

[Doris Graham]

A truly unique combination. I really like the idea of you :)