~ Repurposing: Pillow Covers ~

I have spent more time this summer (when I have been sewing) on household projects than on Sea Quilts projects ... I cannot tell a lie.

For instance: I decided I wanted a new shower curtain in my guest bathroom, even though the one I had was pretty much in brand-new condition. At the same time, I had become aware of the fact that my porch pillows had seen one too many rainstorms. I was feeling guilty about unnecessary money to be spent on either one.

That is until I figured out that I could solve both problems simultaneously.

Since my shower curtain was of the water resistant variety, I just cut that baby up and made new pillow slips for the old faded porch pillows. By utilizing the already stitched side seams on the shower curtain, I saved oodles of time.  In fact I cut and sewed up all three in less than an hour.

Next, I found myself in the market for yet another white throw pillow for my bedroom. Which ... I needed about as much as a new shower curtain.

Or holes in my head.

In the course of another project -- a major, whole house purge -- I came across two embroidered napkins I had purchased about 20 years ago for some long forgotten project. (True story. Sad, but true story.)

I dug into my pile of pre-made pillow forms and found myself a down (feather) one, the same size as the napkins.

I stitched them together along the inside of the hem edges (with the right sides facing out) leaving an opening at the top. After stuffing the pillow form in, I finished sewing around it by machine. (This is where the down pillow form came in handy, as it more easily squished out of the way as I sewed that final seam.) This was a 15 minute project.

It's been a good month for pillows.

It's been an even better month for grandkids, as I had all five of mine together for the first time in awhile.

I Love Summer. And grandkids.

(and pillows)

~ Sea Pillows ~

This morning I added two new items to my Etsy Shop ... and these ones are the real, finished deal! They come fully constructed with no work on your part ... except perhaps for a little fluffing.

They are both 21" square pillow slipcovers, stuffed with commercially made down pillow forms.  They are edged in thin, covered piping.

So take your pick ...

Elegant Sea Coral or Lively Lobster.

Here's the crazy part:  I made these both last fall and literally forgot about them.  That just shows what the holidays will to do your mind and/or level of sanity.

~ You May Need a Bib ~

Here is the project that greeted me this morning, having had some work already done on it on previous mornings.

Yes, I am a morning person.

I'm making a pillow actually.  More specifically ... a pillow slipcover.

Once again I am chossing not to reinvent a new design, but to use one I designed in the past.

This was a (very) small quilt I made earlier this year, for an earlier purpose.
Usually, when I use my design a second time, I use different fabrics.
This time I wanted to recreate it very closely since I had previously been gaga over the contrast between the corals and the aquas.

I. Am. Having. Fun.
And you?

~ Surf's UP!"

It is shocking but true!
I have added a NEW pattern to my Etsy Shop ... the first new pattern in almost a year.

Truth be told ... I made this little gem last summer, strictly as decor for my studio.
A couple of weeks ago, I took note of this, found my notes and wrote the pattern this weekend.
You can make this quilt in a weekend.  Easy. Simple. Quick.



She is small ... 16" wide x 27" high.
Hence, the price is a little smaller also ... only $6.00 for the pattern.
This is a true bargain, because there are essentially two (2!) patterns here. You can make the quilt or you can make a 16" square pillow out of the center panel.

I have named her "Moondoggie" and, yes, I realize that dates me.

You can find the pattern here on my Etsy Shop.

You can find the original Moondoggie ... surfing some California waves with Gidget.

~ Sea Pillows ~

When we last spoke I was working on this little number, seen above.

My third quick project in the form of a pillow slipcover.

Ummm ... make that two (count 'em 2!) pillow slipcovers.
Each a mirror image of the other.
Each stuffed with cushy down/feathers.

I am in the process of making the pattern for these (very simple) beauties. I used some non-traditional methods for my madness (and my applique) which I will pass on.

But ... I am selling these very pillows ... not just the pattern ... on my Etsy Shop.
Here.
No sewing machine required. Instant fluff.

This is an absolutely one-of-a-kind duo.  Even if I made them again, I would not be using the same fabrics.

The pattern for this one has been up for a couple of weeks.  This one-of-a-kind pillow is also on sale now.
Here.

Ditto for the Dots ... here.

The pattern for the "Shore Thing" pillow slips at the top will be available as a free download with the purchase of any other pattern. Convo/email me to let me know you are expecting it.

The Summer Sand and Sea can be with you year 'round.
Even if you don't ... Sew.

Really. It's a shore thing.

~ Inspiration ~

I went to the beach over the weekend.

I walked on the Sand.

I inhaled the Surf.

I gazed at the Sky.

Then I came home and gathered together this pile of nautical goodness.

I'm sewing my brains out while still high on that ocean inspiration.

How about you?  What inspired you this weekend?

~ Pillow Slipcover Tutorial II ~

To view the first tutorial where the piping process is explained, go here first.

So ... when we last left the piping on our pillow top ... we were done! With the piping part.

Now trim off both edges to meet the edge of the pillow.

Next: From the fabric you plan to back the pillow with, cut a strip as wide as the pillow.  From this you will cut two separate pieces.  Here's the formula for figuring out how long they should be:
1/2 of the unfinished pillow top's length measurement + 4"
So in this case I had 9 1/2" (half of 19") + 4" = 13 1/2".
(This will make a flap that overlaps.  If you want to measure exactly to do buttons and button holes ... well, that will have to be another tutorial.  This is the easy version with the assumption that all of your hard work is on the front and that is the side you will always have facing forward.)

On the bottom side of each piece (the width -- the 19" side) fold it over 3/4" - 1" and steam press. Then fold it again and press ... as shown above.

Because at least one of these seams is going to show, you want to sew them from the right side in order to maintain a nice straight line.  Pick a point on the plate to the right to use as a guide, sewing about 1/8" in from the folded edge to make sure to catch it all along the way.




I have often utilized decorative stitches from my machine on this step, however I avoid the satin-y stitches as they will pucker the hem. I did use a varigated beige thread here to mirror the varigated look of my piping fabric. Tres chic.
  

Now to the pinning.  Place your piped pillow top lying face up and top up (if that makes a difference.) Take the first hemmed piece (if you only 'decorated' one of them, that is the one to lay down first) and lay it with the right side down, with the raw corners matching the upper corners of the pillow top.

Now take the other piece and do the same.  Right side down, bottom corners matching.  The two hemmed parts with overlap in the middle.

Pin a few strategic places on this side ... on the corners and where the hems meet the edge.  Then flip it over and continue pinning on the other side because that is the side you are going to want to sew from, in order to be able to see the seam line made from the piping.

Attach your specialty foot and adjust the needle location. Using a regulation-sized stitch this time, sew around the entire square along that same stitching line.

Round those corners like a sleek sports car.

When you hit the corner where the two pieces of piping meet ...

... just sew in a curve moving effortlessly from one piece to the next.
Continue sewing until you meet up where you started and overlap some stitches.

You probably weren't expecting this but ... now you are done.  Turn that baby right side out.

As long as everything is in place and the flaps have been caught in the seam line (see above and below), there is no need for any trimming.  Let the excess fabric in the corners serve as additional stuffing..

Seriously ... you are done!

Depending on how rigid your pillow form is, the stuffing part can take some patience. This is why you don't want more overlap than I have suggested here.  Trust me.

Aaah ... aren't you proud?

If you would like your pillow to sport some soothing sand dollars like mine, go here.

Then ... follow my lead and recover every dang pillow in your entire house!

You know you want to.