Released August 4, 2009
by Kay Kirkpatrick
After experiencing the joy of sewing out your designs, what do you do with them if you don’t have a specific project in mind? For me, when it comes to single designs, I opt for pillows, though I do have to address the issue of stuffing. After all it can be costly to stuff a pillow.
To cut costs, I save all my leftovers from quilting, including backing, fabric and batting. I layer both the front and back of my pillow with a piece of left over batting and backing.
For this pillow the design can be found here:
http://www.designsbysick.com/details/openworkflorals
First, cut the pillow front and back to the desired size, including seam allowance.
Layer the pillow front with a piece of left over batting and then a layer of backing at least 1/2″ larger than the pillow front.
Sew around the outside of all 3 layers with a 1/4” seam and trim the batting and backing down to the edge of the outside pillow front (don’t forget to save the cut away batting!). I stabilize the 3 layers by sewing up next to my embroidery design through all three layers with clear thread, having my feed dogs down.
Repeat the same process when layering the back. This reduces the amount of stuffing you have to insert, as well as making the pillow look smoother.
Sew cording around the pillow front, beginning at the center bottom of the pillow. Place the front and back, right sides together and sew around, leaving a place at the bottom to turn.
Turn with right sides out, stuff with batting and hand sew the opening together.
Bonus Tip: I keep a tote bag on the back of my sewing room door to collect all the scrap batting that I cut away from my quilts. Pull the pieces of batting apart to fluff them up before stuffing the pillow.
You get the joy of embroidering and your friends get the pillows for gifts!
Your pillow is so beautiful! Very Creative..
Comment by Gina — August 4, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
Beautiful pillow. Great job. Good use of the leftovers…………My congratulations on a job well done.
Comment by shirleysonshine — August 4, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
You may also save your own bed pillows and use them as is or take the stuffing out to use in your new pillows. Everyone gets new bed pillows from time to time and just have them save them for you .
Comment by suzy — August 4, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Really good idea. Thank you for the directions.
Comment by Mary — August 4, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
I liked the idea of layering with batting. Before I just stuffed and fluffed pillows. Thy always looked “lumpy” in the past. This trick will smooth out future pillow projects. Thanks!
Comment by Carol4700 — August 4, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
I love the pillow
Comment by Sheila — August 4, 2009 @ 6:39 pm
I have used this design many times it is really a lovely design. I really lihe your cushion, I have used it on towels
Comment by Margaret — August 4, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
I’ve made pillows, but never this nice! Thank you for the great idea!
Comment by wissewer — August 4, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Have you ever used old, torn nylon stockings or pantyhose for stuffing. I have and it is wonder5ful. Cut them into strips when you are through wearing them. Keep a bag handy to put them in and when you have enough, stuff away
Comment by Freda Bieler — August 4, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
Thanks for the info on the embroidering & stuffing with extra material scrapes. Great Idea!
Comment by Sobezy — August 4, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
When it comes to stuffing and I now buy cheap pillows or duvets from Walmart - you get a lot of filling for not a lot of money!
Comment by Fiona Leyman — August 5, 2009 @ 3:08 am
What a great idea - there are LOTS of pillow-samples waiting to become pillows around here!
Comment by Esme — August 5, 2009 @ 3:19 am
Your pillow looks lovely. Great choice of fabric to go with the design.
Comment by dietcoke — August 5, 2009 @ 4:58 am
This is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for this idea. I love to make pillows and my biggest problem is who do I give them to, but these are great and as you, I love to sew the designs and then use them as gifts. What a great way to save money and enjoy your embroidery.
Comment by Kim — August 5, 2009 @ 5:56 am
Beautiful pillow… Know each friend will be thrilled to recieve such a nice gift..Designs by Sick has such beautiful designs,it is hard to choose which you want to do.. love your choice and love the idea ,of using up the scraps.. thankyou,Judy Roberson
Comment by Judy — August 5, 2009 @ 6:29 am
I like to make pillow covers. Same concept, but I use a pillow insert and put a zipper in the pillow cover, or make it like a small pillow case. That way, you can easily wash the cover, and change them to match the season or holiday. Our local WallyWorld sells travel pillows, those are great to use, too.
Comment by Billie G — August 5, 2009 @ 6:55 am
I save all the patterns and make a quilt, just strip between the blocks and set togather. We do a lot of charity quilts and throws and makes a great quilt or throw and doesn’t have to be the same pattern, it just makes a sampler quilt, and the reciever can enjoy all of the patterns that I use. The pillow idea is great. I take my back and make one side overlap the other so the pillow can be inserted and still not come out. Also use ruffles if it is a pretty pattern and the cord it it is a cute or masculan pattern. Thanks for shareing. It turned out pretty. I also buy the pillow forms as makes a smoother pillow. Little more money but like you said, they make great gifts.
kc
Comment by Kathleen C — August 5, 2009 @ 11:32 am
This pillow is beautiful some times I wander what to do with sew out designs I do
Comment by Lena Mae — August 5, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Wow! Beautiful pillow. Love the fabric and design you chose. Thanks bunches for sharing your technique, too.
Comment by watermelon — August 5, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
your pillow is just beautiful! I love the way you decorated it and the rose design is lovely! Thanks for the tips on pillow stuffing savings. a Walmart has a large 5lb box of stuffing for under $10. Pillows make such wonderful gifts for any occassions.
Comment by sandra — August 5, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
Sandra, I use that stuffing from Walmart that is less than $10 for a very soft and smooth stuffing. The brand is Morning Glory. It is the best I have found and I just add my scrap backing that I have pulled apart into the pillow.
Kay
Comment by Anonymous — August 6, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
I have seen Kay’s work. Her pillows are always beautiful. I had trouble getting my pillows stuffed so they would be smooth until I used Kay’s idea and it really works.
Comment by Sylvia — August 9, 2009 @ 6:31 am
THANKS FOR POSTING THIS. I HAVE STUFFED DESIGNS WITH BATTING AND A LAYER OF BALSAM OR LAVENDER. MAKES A GREAT SCENT. FOR THE BALSAM ONES I HAVE USE MOOSE, BEAR, AND DESIGNS FROM MY NATIVE MAINE. MY FRIENDS WHO VISIT LOVE THEM TO TAKE HOME AND REMIND THEM OF THEIR VISIT. LAVENDER ONES ARE GREAT FOR EYE PILLOWS, DRAWER SACHETS, ETC.
Comment by NANCY HEWINS — August 9, 2009 @ 11:04 am