For my first blog post here I thought I'd start out with a tutorial :)
The other week my mom asked if I could come up with something to add to the collection of items at her workplace. I wanted to make something that's fairly easy without being too plain and decided on lavender scented eye pillows. I came up with these simple redwork style designs to embroider on the fronts and they turned out cuter than I could have hoped!
You can check out these files in the redwork section of my shop
Here's what you'll need for this tutorial:
For the Pillow (muslin)
Cut 2 panels 4 1/2" x 10"
For the Slipcover (cotton fabric)
Cut 1 front panel 5" x 10"
Cut 2 back panels 5" x 6 1/2"
Cut 2 panels 4 1/2" x 10"
For the Slipcover (cotton fabric)
Cut 1 front panel 5" x 10"
Cut 2 back panels 5" x 6 1/2"
Flax seed (1 cup)
Dried lavender (1/2 cup)
Embroider a design onto the corner. I used 100% cotton thread and bobbin thread so that the whole pillow and cover will be ok to heat up in the microwave.
On the two smaller pieces, fold over twice and stitch down
Overlap at the stitch line and baste
Your back piece will look like this after basting
Stitch all the way around with 1/2" seam allowances
I'm working with a bit of a nightmare fabric so I serged all around the edges to keep it from unraveling down to my stitch line. Just trimming the edges will be alright for most fabrics.
Flip out your cover and set aside
For the pillow sew a 1/2" seam and leave one short side open. Flip right side out.
Get your flax seed and lavender and pour into the pillow
Fold the raw edge of the pillow inward and stitch shut
Put the slipcover on your pillow and you're done!
These are great to chill in the freezer or warm up in the microwave for 10 seconds. Heating them up has the added bonus of making the scent really come out and fill the room.
I'll be heading out of town in a couple weeks and won't have sewing machine access during that time. I'll try to post some more tutorials before I head out but no promises! Plenty of time to work on some new designs though so I'll at least be able to have some updates on those :)