This is what I've been up to lately. I happened to find this luscious dragonfly embroidered silk at JoAnn's recently. It goes perfectly with my current project.
These are some of the fabrics and the color palette that I'm using with my current client. The stripe and solid navy will be window treatments. The check may end up as a table runner. We'll see. This post will give you a quick how-to on making gathered welting. I wanted basic pillows with just a little something extra.
Materials needed:
- fabric - about 1 1/4 yd. for one pillow
- extra-thick welting
- zipper
- pillow insert
Oops, it was too snug to gather properly. Make sure you don't sew too closely to the welting, or this will happen to you. I had to use the seam ripper to get at the welting and add a safety pin to get it through the strip. Luckily, there was masking tape at the end already from when it was cut, so the pin stayed put.
Pull the fabric through your sewn tube using the safety pin, so it fits onto the welting, pushing the fabric so it gathers on your welting.
Here it is, your gathered welting. (That silk frays a lot!) From here on in it's pretty basic.
Pin the gathered welting around the right side of one of your pillow squares, baste. Next sew your zipper in. Complete by sewing the three remaining sides and stuff your pillow insert in and zip.
How yummy. Here it is shown with a basic blue pillow. The pillows (two of each) are going to go somewhere like this:
Here's a better view. Swoon over the embroidery. Hmmm, the photo's pretty good, too!
This is the fringe from the above photo. I'm making a lumbar pillow for the red chair using the same diamond navy fabric (I think) and fancy-ing it up with the fringe. Plus, my blog homework for the last two photos (GO ME! You know how I loves me some great photo tips) is, I gave it a try using Miss Funky Junk's example. AND, another blogger from Bender Oaks Gifts steered me to her blog where she gives tips on using a point and shoot camera for macro photos with examples and everything. Check it out. Thanks, Donna and Omi!
I'm hangin' with these ladies:
Thanks for the great tut! I just put on my "Things I want to learn" list sewing a pillow! I think I can, I think I can!!!
ReplyDeleteKim, I absolutely LOVE the red fabric with the little gold dragonflies. May I suggest a giveaway? It would go perfect in my family room (haha)...of course, it will go perfect in your home too! Well, the least you can do is to link up these delicious pillows to my Boardwalk Bragfest. Come on. They sent me over here to get you!
ReplyDeleteI love the dragonfly material and the rich combination of colours. I have a similar material, bees maybe, but I just don't think the green colour goes with our home. Great tutorial. I may have to try that some time.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I'm so glad I could help out a little. I see where you did your homework, the two Macro pictures are incredible (all of the pictures are incredible)! I love the detail on the black trimming, and it's very vibrant, and so crisp in detail. Go Tassels!
ReplyDeleteYou've got two great blogs, and some great posts.
Oh I love the gathered welting! I'm going to have to try this. I have got to get my sewing machine out. I'm supposed to finish something for Donna's GD project. Shhhh, don't tell her I'm not done yet!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful fabrics! I have been tempted lately to make some pillows. I love that red with gold dragonflies. I'm currently changing things around here to those two colors:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your tutorial with us.
Sandra
Love the pillows and the fabric. One of these days I may make pillows. You are so good at it. That blue fabric is the same as the green on dining room chairs that I recovered.
ReplyDeleteA new pillow idea, I can't wait to try your techinque.
ReplyDeleteTraci
The red silk fabric is beautiful, and I also like the blue tassles! Nice post. I may be inspired to sew some pillows one of these days... I must make the time to do it!
ReplyDelete-Mary
Wow-these pillows look lucious-so lavish with the fringe and cording-love the look!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiul, Kim! I love little details like the gathered welting. Makes ALL the difference in the world!
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty pillows! I love the fringe and details of the fabrics, you do lovely work. My couch could use some new pillows...I really need to get sewing one of these days.
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo pretty!! I have done the piping on pillows but never gathered it!! I can't wait to try it - thanks so much for the great tutorial! :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, Kim! I can see we have an expert sewer on board. I envy you. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah... I'd say those end shots really rocked your tutorial. :) I'm glad you enjoyed (and implemented) the photo macro tips!
Donna
Thank you so much for this post, because I've been wanting to learn how to do welting for ages! It really makes projects look extra-special. Love the fabrics you're working with right now, and thanks for the easy tutorial!
ReplyDeleteHappy REDnesday!
Carol
GORGEOUS pillow Kim!! I like that gathered welt!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Gail
Hi Kim, thanks for linking up those beautiful pillows. I appreciate it. If and when I sew again I will link with you.
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful dragonfly material. The pillows are so lovely. I am going to have to try the gathered welting. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnnette
JUst love your bee material (I just got the same in buttery yellow) and can't wait to see what my friend does with it! Got here from Savvy Kim sure glad I did, nice to meet ya!
ReplyDeleteI'm so drooling over all that material..I don't sew..I'm a wanna a be and buy tons of material and just stare at it,,lol...I really love the gingham..that is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric, such gorgeous pillows!
ReplyDeleteI love meeting fellow designer in the blogging world:)
ReplyDeletePretty fabrics you are working with...I am thankful for every design job right now...you too?
My mom does all my sewing for me~~custom draperies etc...so grateful she still wants to sew and not retire!
Nice to meet you!
Happy Rednesday:)
Kay Ellen
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