Sublime On A Dime: Patriotic Pillow

Once again I'm pushing it close to the holiday with these. I wanted to make some festive pillows for my couch for July. Like I've mentioned before it's not official until I've got a pillow made up for my couches.

This is what I came up with:

All I did was cut out an 18in x 18in pieces of white fabric. I thought instead of sewing red and white strips together it might be fun to use red paint. Thought it might give the pillow some texture...

So using 3 in strips of freezer paper I ironed it on and leaving alternating 3 in sections for painting red on. I also used a foam paint brush to dab onto the fabric. Once I was finished painting the red strips, simply pull off the paper and it gives you nice clean lines. I didn't take pictures of this so if you need a visual look at my past projects that I did with stencils its the same concept.

Once the paint dried, I cut out a star with some blue fabric. I have a cute mirror that is in the shape of a star that ended up being the perfect size so I used that as a template but you could find a star online and print it out on a piece of paper the size you want and use that as your template.

Also, I usually use heat n bond paper to iron on my shapes and applique them on. This time though I just pinned it in place and used a straight stitch next to the edge all the way around the star. I figured if the ends fray it will only add character, and in my opinion, make it cuter!

Then I also decided I wanted to make it into a slipcover and put it on a pillow form. That way as the seasons change I can just switch out the slipcovers. Plus, (and the winning point) a slipcover is a lot easier to store then a ton of pillows! Major space saver!

So here is how to make your pillow into a slipcover. Since my pillow front was 18 x 18. I cut two pieces at 12 in by 18 in. That way you have around 4 or 5 inch over lap in the center. So I guess if you are making different size pillow covers I'd just divide your width in half then add 5 inches to that amount and cut out two pieces in that size. Wow I hope that makes sense!!

So here is a picture of one of the 12 in x 18 in pieces. Then sew a 1/4 inch hem along one of the long sides. Do the same to the other 12 x 18 piece.

Next, lay out the two pieces making sure they overlap in the center. You will know if its overlapped enough when your measurement end up the same as your top piece. So for instance, I needed my bottom 18 x 18 just like the top piece. Make sure it is layed out just the way you want it to look on your finished pillow.

Now, place your top piece on top of bottom fabric so they are face to face (right sides together). Then pin together all the way around. Then just sew all the way around the edge, using a 1/4 to 1/2 inch seam.